Michael Downs
Michael Lynn Downs is an American former professional football player who was a football position)|safety] in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Phoenix Cardinals. He played college football for the Rice Owls.
Early years
Downs graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, Texas. In football, he served as a team captain and was named All-District as a senior. He also lettered in track and field. He was a member of the Honor Society.He accepted a football scholarship from Rice University, where he became a three-year starter at safety. As a sophomore, he intercepted 3 passes in a game against Texas Christian University, tying a single-game school record.
As a senior, he was named a co-captain and although he was limited with a pinched nerve in his neck, he received All-Southwest Conference and honorable-mention All-American honors. He finished his college career with 9 interceptions.
He graduated in 1981 with a BA in Business Management, Political Science and Physical Education.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Downs was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1981 NFL draft. He wasn't selected because he suffered a pinched nerve in his shoulder as a senior, which affected his play and earned him a reputation for not being aggressive. He was so impressive in training camp, that he became the third rookie in Cowboys history to begin the season as a starter at free safety, after Randy Hughes suffered a dislocated right shoulder and Dextor Clinkscale an Achilles injury in pre-season. His performance also allowed the team to move Dennis Thurman from free safety to cornerback.He was a playmaker from the start, intercepting a Joe Theismann pass in the first quarter of a 26–10 win against the Washington Redskins in the season opener. He missed the second game with a hamstring injury. He had a stretch of three straight games with an interception and would go on to intercept a total of 7 passes, while contributing to the Cowboys leading the NFL in interceptions and setting a franchise record. Against the Chicago Bears, his 15 total tackles and 13 solo tackles were club season highs. He also posted 110 tackles, 72 solo tackles, 11 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He intercepted a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs. He was named to the All-Rookie team.
In 1982, he collected 70 tackles, one sack, 3 fumble recoveries and one interception. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had 15 tackles, he forced a fumble and recovered another one at the two-yard line with five seconds left to preserve a 14-9 win. Against the Houston Oilers, he recovered a fumble and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown.
In 1983, he registered 111 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He returned a fumbled kickoff 10 yards for a touchdown in the third game against the New York Giants.
In 1984, he had his best season, compiling 136 tackles, 96 solo tackles, 7 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Against the New Orleans Saints, Downs helped the team rally back from a 27-6 fourth-quarter deficit to win 30–27 in overtime, by making 9 tackles, 2 interceptions, one pass defensed, one fumble recovery and also recovered a blocked punt. Even though he wasn't voted to the Pro Bowl, he received second-team All-Pro and All-NFC honors.
In 1985, quarterback Danny White nicknamed Thurman along with Downs and cornerbacks Everson Walls, Ron Fellows, "Thurman's Thieves", for their opportunistic play in the secondary. Downs was named a defensive co-captain, posting 116 tackles, 69 solo tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles.
In 1986, he recorded 101 tackles, one sack, 6 interceptions, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt. In 1987, he had 86 tackles, 4 interceptions and one fumble recovery.
In 1988, he tallied 90 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and one special teams tackle.
In 1989, with the arrival of Jimmy Johnson, he was released as part of a youth movement on May 5.
During his time with the Cowboys, Downs helped anchor the secondary for most of the eighties decade. He was considered one of the best tacklers in the NFL, leading the team secondary for seven consecutive seasons, making over 100 tackles in 5 seasons and leading the team in tackles in 3 seasons. He finished with 34 interceptions and 3 touchdowns.