Michael Westbrook
Encyclopedia
Michael Deanailo Westbrook (born July 7, 1972 in Detroit, Michigan
) is a former American football
wide receiver
in the National Football League
. Westbrook spent 7 seasons with the Washington Redskins
from 1995
to 2001
and the 2002
season with the Cincinnati Bengals
before retiring. He is currently a mixed martial artist in the heavyweight
division and lives in Mesa, Arizona
.
, and in 1994, he was the receiver in the play known as "The Miracle at Michigan
," a Hail Mary pass
from quarterback Kordell Stewart
to beat Michigan
in the final seconds of the game.
in the 1995 NFL Draft
, and played for seven seasons in Washington, before playing the 2002 season
with the Cincinnati Bengals
.
In August 1997
, the Redskins fined Westbrook $50,000 for punching teammate, running back Stephen Davis
, an incident caught by local TV news cameras.
While injuries hampered Westbrook for much of his NFL career, he played all 16 games in 1999
and achieved three career highs, 65 receptions for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns.
Westbrook finished his career with 285 receptions for 4,374 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also rushed 22 times for 160 yards and one touchdown.
during his football playing career, and entered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
after retirement from the NFL in 2002. He has won national and Pan-American events as a brown belt. In 2008 he won the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
("IBJJF") World Championship at brown belt.
Westbrook said of jiu-jitsu, "This is a lot easier and a lot more fun [than football]. I don't have to worry about coaches and it's not nearly as dangerous. I don't have to worry about pleasing the public and the announcers. Or getting eggs thrown at my door because I dropped a ball. I don't have to worry about any of that." Having previously trained with the MASH FIGHT TEAM in Michigan with Former "King Of The Cage" Light Heavyweight Champion James Lee, Westbook now trains at Arizona Combat Sports
in Tempe
, Arizona
.
As a mixed martial artist, Westbrook competes in the heavyweight (206-265 lbs.) division. He fought once in 2005 and defeated fellow NFL veteran Jarrod Bunch
in the main event
of a King of the Cage
event in Cleveland, Ohio
.
After the Bunch fight, Westbrook was inactive for four years; and his return to professional MMA was less successful than his debut. In February, 2009, Travis Browne defeated Westbrook in San Bernardino
, California
, by technical knockout in the third round. In July 2009, Westbrook squared off against Nick Gaston
in the main event of a King of the Cage card in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
. One minute into the fight, Gaston struck Westbrook in the groin with a knee strike, and Westbrook could not continue. The fight was ruled a no contest.
Westbrook also fought on episode 2 of MTV's Bully Beatdown
. On that episode, it was stated that Westbrook owns a black belt in taekwondo
and has reached brown-belt status in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
under Gustavo Dantas
. Westbrook was promoted to a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2010.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Westbrook spent 7 seasons with the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
from 1995
1995 NFL season
The 1995 NFL season was the 76th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 30 teams with the addition of the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars...
to 2001
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
and the 2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
season with the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
before retiring. He is currently a mixed martial artist in the heavyweight
Heavyweight (MMA)
The heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally groups fighters between .Although many ambiguities exist within the lower weight classes regarding division naming and weight limits, the Heavyweight division is, for the most part, uniform...
division and lives in Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
.
College career
Westbrook played college football at the University of ColoradoColorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
, and in 1994, he was the receiver in the play known as "The Miracle at Michigan
The Miracle at Michigan
The Miracle at Michigan refers to the final play that occurred during the American football game played on September 24, 1994 between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The game was decided on Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart's 64-yard...
," a Hail Mary pass
Hail Mary pass
A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary route in American football refers to any very long forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success, especially at or near the end of a half....
from quarterback Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" , is a former American NFL quarterback. Stewart attended the University of Colorado and was drafted 60th in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers...
to beat Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
in the final seconds of the game.
NFL career
Westbrook was taken as the fourth overall pick by the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in the 1995 NFL Draft
1995 NFL Draft
The 1995 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 22–23, 1995 at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City...
, and played for seven seasons in Washington, before playing the 2002 season
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
with the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
.
In August 1997
1997 NFL season
The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee...
, the Redskins fined Westbrook $50,000 for punching teammate, running back Stephen Davis
Stephen Davis (American football)
Stephen Lamont Davis is a former American football running back in the National Football League. Davis will be the Carolina Panthers' minority coaching intern for the 2010-11 season.-College career:...
, an incident caught by local TV news cameras.
While injuries hampered Westbrook for much of his NFL career, he played all 16 games in 1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
and achieved three career highs, 65 receptions for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns.
Westbrook finished his career with 285 receptions for 4,374 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also rushed 22 times for 160 yards and one touchdown.
Martial arts
Westbrook practiced martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
during his football playing career, and entered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
after retirement from the NFL in 2002. He has won national and Pan-American events as a brown belt. In 2008 he won the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation is the major and most prestigious governing body for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that hosts several of the biggest tournaments in the world, including the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship and European Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship...
("IBJJF") World Championship at brown belt.
Westbrook said of jiu-jitsu, "This is a lot easier and a lot more fun [than football]. I don't have to worry about coaches and it's not nearly as dangerous. I don't have to worry about pleasing the public and the announcers. Or getting eggs thrown at my door because I dropped a ball. I don't have to worry about any of that." Having previously trained with the MASH FIGHT TEAM in Michigan with Former "King Of The Cage" Light Heavyweight Champion James Lee, Westbook now trains at Arizona Combat Sports
Arizona Combat Sports
Arizona Combat Sports is a mixed martial arts training organization, founded by Todd Lally and Trevor Lally, based in Tempe, Arizona. Its training facility features a boxing ring, an MMA octagon, a grappling room and a pro shop...
in Tempe
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
As a mixed martial artist, Westbrook competes in the heavyweight (206-265 lbs.) division. He fought once in 2005 and defeated fellow NFL veteran Jarrod Bunch
Jarrod Bunch
Jarrod Ray Bunch is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants from 1991 to 1993 and the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994...
in the main event
Main Event
Main Event is Australia's only pay-per-view channel. It transmits through Foxtel, Optus Television and Austar, which jointly own the channel...
of a King of the Cage
King of the Cage
King of the Cage, also known as KOTC, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, USA.-History:KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features up and coming MMA stars as well as experienced combat fighters....
event in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
After the Bunch fight, Westbrook was inactive for four years; and his return to professional MMA was less successful than his debut. In February, 2009, Travis Browne defeated Westbrook in San Bernardino
San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California is a large city in the Inland Empire Metropolitan Area of Southern California.San Bernardino may also refer to:-Landforms:*San Bernardino , a torrent that flows through the Italian province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, by technical knockout in the third round. In July 2009, Westbrook squared off against Nick Gaston
Nick Gaston
Nick "Afrozilla" Gaston is an American mixed martial artist who has fought exclusively for King of the Cage and is currently signed to Japanese promotion DREAM...
in the main event of a King of the Cage card in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. One minute into the fight, Gaston struck Westbrook in the groin with a knee strike, and Westbrook could not continue. The fight was ruled a no contest.
Westbrook also fought on episode 2 of MTV's Bully Beatdown
Bully Beatdown
Bully Beatdown is an American reality television series created by Mark Burnett which airs on MTV. In each episode, show host Jason "Mayhem" Miller challenges bullies to fight against a professional mixed martial artist for a chance to win $10,000. The money they get depends on their performance...
. On that episode, it was stated that Westbrook owns a black belt in taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
and has reached brown-belt status in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
under Gustavo Dantas
Gustavo Dantas
Gustavo Dantas is a practitioner and accredited 3rd dan black belt instructor of the Brazilian martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Originally from Rio de Janerio, Brazil, Gustavo currently instructs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is part owner of Arizona Combat Sports in Tempe, Arizona. As black belt...
. Westbrook was promoted to a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2010.
Mixed martial arts record
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Contest | 1-1(1 NC) |  United States Nick GastonNick Gaston Nick "Afrozilla" Gaston is an American mixed martial artist who has fought exclusively for King of the Cage and is currently signed to Japanese promotion DREAM... |
No Contest | KOTC - Connection | 1 | 1:04 | United StatesLake of the Torches Casino, Wisconsin |
||
| Loss | 1-1 | United States Travis Browne Travis Browne (fighter) Travis Browne is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-Mixed martial arts career:... |
TKO (Punches) | KOTC: Immortal | 3 | 1:22 | United StatesSan Bernardino, California San Bernardino, California San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States... |
||
| Win | 1-0 | United States Jarrod Bunch Jarrod Bunch Jarrod Ray Bunch is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants from 1991 to 1993 and the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994... |
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | KOTC: Payback | 1 | 4:55 | United StatesCleveland, Ohio |