Mike Lucci

Mike Lucci
Mike Lucci
Date of birth: December 29, 1939 (1939-12-29) (age 71)
Place of birth: Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Career information
Position(s): Linebacker
College: Tennessee
NFL Draft: 1961 / Round: 5 / Pick 69
Organizations
 As player:
1962-1964
1965-1973
Cleveland Browns
Detroit Lions
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowls: 1
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Mike Lucci (born December 29, 1939) is a former National Football League player for the Cleveland Browns for 3 seasons from 1962 to 1964 and 9 seasons with the Detroit Lions from 1965 to 1973. Lucci played collegiately at the University of Tennessee and for one year at the University of Pittsburgh.

He was a 6'2", 230-pound middle linebacker known for his ability to play through injury. Lucci’s defensive coverage abilities earned him a total of 21 career interceptions with Detroit. He returned four of those interceptions for touchdowns. Lucci was voted by his teammates the Lions’ Defensive Most Valuable Player from 1969-1971. In addition, he was All-NFL in 1969, NFC All-Conference in 1970-1971. Lucci was named to the Pro Bowl following the 1971 season where he intercepted five passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Lucci also appeared in the film based on the George Plimpton book Paper Lion. The 1968 film starred Alan Alda, Lauren Hutton, and several Detroit Lion football players.

From 1976-78 Lucci served as color commentator for Lions broadcasts on WJR radio.

Business career

After retiring from the NFL Lucci was a successful business executive and entrepreneur. He is the former president of Bally Total Fitness which at the time was the largest commercial operator of fitness centers in the United States.

Currently

Lucci divides his time between homes in Michigan and Palm Beach County, Florida.

External links