Mike Vrabel is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He was born on August 14, 1975, in Akron, Ohio, and attended Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Vrabel played college football at Ohio State University, where he was a standout defensive end and helped the Buckeyes win the 1996 Rose Bowl.
Vrabel was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers for four seasons, primarily as a special teams player and backup linebacker. In 2001, Vrabel signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent. He quickly became a key player on the Patriots' defense, known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. Vrabel played for the Patriots for eight seasons, winning three Super Bowl championships in 2001, 2003, and 2004.
In addition to his defensive skills, Vrabel was also known for his ability to catch passes as a tight end. He scored 10 career touchdowns on offense, including two in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers. Vrabel was named to the Pro Bowl in 2007, and was also a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.
After the 2008 season, Vrabel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. He played for the Chiefs for two seasons before retiring from the NFL in 2011. Vrabel finished his career with 704 tackles, 57 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 20 forced fumbles.
Following his playing career, Vrabel began coaching. He served as a linebackers coach for Ohio State in 2011, and then joined the Houston Texans as a linebackers coach in 2014. In 2017, Vrabel was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Texans. He held that position for one season before being hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2018.
As head coach of the Titans, Vrabel has led the team to two playoff appearances in three seasons. In 2019, the Titans upset the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Vrabel was named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 2020, after leading the Titans to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.
Overall, Mike Vrabel had a successful football career as a player and has continued that success as a coach. He is known for his versatility, leadership, and ability to get the most out of his players.
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