Michael Robert Prior is a former American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 professional 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...

 player who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...

 in the 7th round of the 1985 NFL Draft

1985 NFL Draft

The 1985 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 30 and May 1, 1985...

. A 6'0", 208 lb (94.3 kg). defensive back

Defensive back

In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...

 from Illinois State University

Illinois State University

Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...

, Prior played in 13 NFL seasons from 1985 and 1987 to 1998 for the Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....

, and Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...

, recording 35 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries.

Prior was one of the captains of Super Bowl XXXI and intercepted a pass for the Packers thrown by quarterback

Quarterback

Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...

 Drew Bledsoe

Drew Bledsoe

Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...

 of the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI

Super Bowl XXXI

Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...

.

Prior is also a part of one of the most famous Super Bowl highlights. He was the player who clipped John Elway in Super Bowl XXXII sending him spinning himself into Super Bowl history.

Prior attended Marian Catholic High School

Marian Catholic High School

Marian Catholic High School is a co-educational, college preparatory secondary school in Chicago Heights, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.-History:...

 in Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 31,373 at the 2005 census. Chicago Heights is nicknamed 'Crossroads of the Nation'.-History:...

 where he played football under Coach Dave Mattio. His football career started when he played in the Catholic elementary school leagues for St. Kieran Parish in Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights, Illinois

Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 31,373 at the 2005 census. Chicago Heights is nicknamed 'Crossroads of the Nation'.-History:...

. Prior also starred as the center fielder for the Illinois state championship winning Hale Swanson all-star baseball team. Prior, along with Joe Lira, Mark Finley, Brad Randle, and Mike Heldt eventually lost to national champion Detroit, Michigan.