Mike Black (punter)

Mike Black
No. 11
Position:Punter
Personal information
Born: (1961-01-18) January 18, 1961
Glendale, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Glendale
College:Arizona State (1979–1982)
NFL draft:1983: 7th round, 181st pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Punts:272
Punt yards:11,181
Longest punt:63
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Peter Michael Black (born January 18, 1961) is an American former professional football punter who played five seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Lions in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL draft after playing college football at Arizona State University.

Early life and college

Peter Michael Black was born on January 18, 1961, in Glendale, California.[1] He attended Glendale High School in Glendale.[1]

Black played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils of Arizona State University from 1979 to 1982. He punted 55 times for 2,085 yards in 1979, 53 times for 2,299 yards in 1980, 57 times for 2,421 yards in 1981, and 64 times for 2,850 yards in 1982.[2] Black was named first-team All-Pac-10 punter in 1980, 1981 and 1982, averaging 43.4, 42.5 and 44.3 yards per punt respectively in those seasons.[2]

Professional career

Black was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round, with the 181st overall pick, of the 1983 NFL draft.[1] He played in all 16 games during his rookie year in 1983, totaling 71 punts for 2,911 yards.[1] He also appered in one playoff game that season and punted twice for 73 yards.[1] Black played in all 16 games for the second consecutive season in 1984, punting 76 times for 3,164 yards.[1] He appeared in all 16 games for the third straight year in 1985, punting 73 times for 3,054 yards.[1] Black played in the first nine games of the 1986 season, recording 46 punts for 1,819 yards and a 39.5 average, before being waived and replaced with Jim Arnold.[1][3]

Black signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 1987.[4] He was released on August 31, 1987.[5]

On September 29, 1987, Black signed with the Lions during the 1987 NFL players strike.[6] He played in one game for the Lions during the 1987 season and punted six times for 233 yards.[1]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Punting
GP Punts Yds Net Yds Lng Avg Net Avg Blk Ins20 TB
1983 DET 16 71 2,911 2,429 60 41.0 33.7 1 17 9
1984 DET 16 76 3,164 2,488 63 41.6 32.7 0 13 8
1985 DET 16 73 3,054 2,534 60 41.8 34.7 0 16 5
1986 DET 9 46 1,819 1,469 47 39.5 31.3 1 11 5
1987 DET 1 6 233 221 47 38.8 36.8 0 1 0
Career 58 272 11,181 9,141 63 41.1 33.4 2 58 27

Playoffs

Year Team Punting
GP Punts Yds Net Yds Lng Avg Net Avg Blk Ins20 TB
1983 DET 1 2 73 53 51 36.5 26.5 0 1 1
Career 1 2 73 53 51 36.5 26.5 0 1 1

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mike Black". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Mike Black". Sports Reference. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  3. ^ "Kramer has Vikings on the move". Detroit Free Press. November 9, 1986. pp. 4E. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  4. ^ "Vikings". St. Cloud Times. August 19, 1987. pp. 6D. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "Transactions". The Vicksburg Post. September 1, 1987. pp. B2. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  6. ^ Sylvester, Curt (September 30, 1987). "Three former Lions upgrade B team". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 25, 2025.