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{{Short description|American football player (born 1972)}}
{{Short description|American football player (born 1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name = Michael Westbrook
| name = Michael Westbrook
|image = <!-- Only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people -- see [[WP:NONFREE]]. -->
| image = <!-- Only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people -- see [[WP:NONFREE]]. -->
|image_size =
| image_size =
|alt =
| alt =
|caption =
| caption =
|number = 82
| number = 82
|position = [[Wide receiver]]
| position = [[Wide receiver]]
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|7|7|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|7|7|mf=y}}
|birth_place = [[Detroit, Michigan]]
| birth_place = [[Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.
|death_date =
| death_date =
|death_place =
| death_place =
|height_ft = 6
| height_ft = 6
|height_in = 3
| height_in = 3
|weight_lbs = 221
| weight_lbs = 221
|high_school = [[Chadsey High School|Detroit (MI) Chadsey]]
| high_school = [[Chadsey High School|Chadsey]] (Detroit)
|college = [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]]
| college = [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]]
|draftyear = 1995
| draftyear = 1995
|draftround = 1
| draftround = 1
|draftpick = 4
| draftpick = 4
|pastteams =
| pastteams =
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1995}}–{{NFL Year|2001}})
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1995}}–{{NFL Year|2001}})
* [[Cincinnati Bengals]] ({{NFL Year|2002}})
* [[Cincinnati Bengals]] ({{NFL Year|2002}})
|highlights =
| highlights =
* Consensus [[All-American]] ([[1994 College Football All-America Team|1994]])
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1994 College Football All-America Team|1994]])
* Second-team All-American ([[1992 College Football All-America Team|1992]])
* [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Paul Warfield Trophy|Paul Warfield Trophy]] (1994)
* [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Paul Warfield Trophy|Paul Warfield Trophy]] (1994)
* 2× First-team All-[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] ([[1992 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1992]], [[1994 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1994]])
|statseason =
* Second-team All-Big Eight ([[1993 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1993]])
⚫
|statlabel1 = Receptions
|statvalue1 = 285
| statseason =
⚫
| statlabel1 = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
|statlabel2 = Receiving yards
|statvalue2 = 4,374
| statvalue1 = 285
|statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statlabel2 = [[Receiving yards]]
|statvalue3 = 26
| statvalue2 = 4,374
| statlabel3 = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
|nfl = WES562720
| statvalue3 = 26
|pfr = WestMi00
|CollegeHOF = 2463
| pfr = WestMi00
| CollegeHOF = 2463
}}
}}
'''Michael Deanailo Westbrook''' (born July 7, 1972) is a former American college and professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[wide receiver]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and is also a former [[mixed martial artist]]. Westbrook played [[college football]] for the [[University of Colorado]], and was recognized as an [[All-American]]. He was drafted in the first round of the [[1995 NFL Draft]], and played professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]] and [[Cincinnati Bengals]] of the NFL. After retiring from football, he later competed as a mixed martial arts fighter in the [[Heavyweight (MMA)|heavyweight]] division.
'''Michael Deanailo Westbrook''' (born July 7, 1972) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[wide receiver]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). Westbrook played [[college football]] for the [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado Buffaloes]], and was recognized as a consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] in 1994. He was selected in the first round of the [[1995 NFL draft]], and played professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]] and [[Cincinnati Bengals]] of the NFL. After retiring from football, he later competed as a [[mixed martial arts]] fighter in the [[Heavyweight (MMA)|heavyweight]] division.


==Early years==
==Early life==
Westbrook was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. He attended [[Chadsey High School]] in Detroit, and played for the Chadsey Explorers [[high school football]] team.
Westbrook was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. He attended [[Chadsey High School]] in Detroit, and played for the Chadsey Explorers [[high school football]] team.


==College football==
==College football==
Westbrook attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he played for the [[Colorado Buffaloes football]] team from 1991 to 1994. As a senior in 1994, he was the receiver in the play known as "[[The Miracle at Michigan]]," a [[Hail Mary pass]] from Buffaloes quarterback [[Kordell Stewart]] to beat the [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan Wolverines]] in the final seconds of the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/classic/s/moment010924-kordell-hailmary.html |title=Kordell's Hail Mary a "Miracle in Michigan" |date=November 19, 2003 |first=Larry |last=Schwartz |work=ESPN.com}}</ref> At the conclusion of the season, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and was the recipient of the [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Paul Warfield Trophy|Paul Warfield Trophy]] as the best college wide receiver in the nation.
Westbrook attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he played for the [[Colorado Buffaloes football]] team from 1991 to 1994. As a senior in 1994, he was the receiver in the play known as "[[The Miracle at Michigan]]," a [[Hail Mary pass]] from Buffaloes quarterback [[Kordell Stewart]] to beat the [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan Wolverines]] in the final seconds of the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/moment010924-kordell-hailmary.html |title=Kordell's Hail Mary a "Miracle in Michigan" |date=November 19, 2003 |first=Larry |last=Schwartz |work=ESPN.com}}</ref> At the conclusion of the season, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and was the recipient of the [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Paul Warfield Trophy|Paul Warfield Trophy]] as the best college wide receiver in the nation.


==Professional football==
==Professional football==
The [[Washington Redskins]] selected Westbrook in the first round (fourth overall pick) of the [[1995 NFL Draft]],<ref>
The [[Washington Redskins]] selected Westbrook in the first round (fourth overall pick) of the [[1995 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-31|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He played for seven seasons in Washington, before playing the [[2002 NFL season|2002 season]] with the [[Cincinnati Bengals]].
{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2000/08/01/westbrook_redskins_ap/ |title=Growing Up - Redskins receiver learning from facing Deion every day |date=August 1, 2000 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and played for seven seasons in Washington, before playing the [[2002 NFL season|2002 season]] with the [[Cincinnati Bengals]].


In August 1997, the Redskins fined Westbrook $50,000 for punching a teammate, running back [[Stephen Davis (American football)|Stephen Davis]], an incident caught by TV news cameras.<ref>
In August 1997, the Redskins fined Westbrook $50,000 for punching a teammate, running back [[Stephen Davis (American football)|Stephen Davis]], an incident caught by TV news cameras.<ref>
{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/teammatefeuds/031103.html |title=I hate you like a brother |first=Jeff |last=Merron |work=ESPN.com |date=2003-11-03}}</ref>
{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/teammatefeuds/031103.html |title=I hate you like a brother |first=Jeff |last=Merron |work=ESPN.com |date=2003-11-03}}</ref>


While injuries hampered Westbrook for much of his NFL career, he played all 16 games in [[1999 NFL season|1999]] en route to achieving career highs in receptions (65), yards (1,191), and touchdowns (nine). 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.
While injuries hampered Westbrook for much of his NFL career, he played all 16 games in [[1999 NFL season|1999]] en route to achieving career highs in receptions (65), yards (1,191), and touchdowns (nine). 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.


===NFL statistics===
===NFL statistics===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Team
! rowspan="2" |GP
! colspan="6" |Receiving
! colspan="6" |Rushing
|-
|-
! Year !! Team !! Games !! Receptions !! Yards !! Yards per reception !! Longest reception !! Touchdowns !! First downs !! Fumbles !! Fumbles lost
! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FD
|-
|-
| [[1995 NFL season|1995]] || [[1995 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 11 || 34 || 522 || 15.4 || 45 || 1 || 25 || 0 || 0
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| 11 || 34 || 522 || 15.4 || 45 || 1 || 25 || 6 || '''114''' || '''19.0''' || '''58''' || '''1''' || '''4'''
|-
|-
| [[1996 NFL season|1996]] || [[1996 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 11 || 34 || 505 || 14.9 || 45 || 1 || 25 || 0 || 0
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] !! [[1996 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| 11 || 34 || 505 || 14.9 || 45 || 1 || 25 || 2 || 2 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
|-
| [[1997 NFL season|1997]] || [[1997 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 13 || 34 || 559 || 16.4 || 40 || 3 || 30 || 0 || 0
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] !! [[1997 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| 13 || 34 || 559 || 16.4 || 40 || 3 || 30 || 3 || -11 || -3.7 || 7 || 0 || 0
|-
|-
| [[1998 NFL season|1998]] || [[1998 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 11 || 44 || 736 || 16.7 || 75 || 6 || 33 || 0 || 0
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] !! [[1998 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| 11 || 44 || 736 || 16.7 || 75 || 6 || 33 || 1 || 11 || 11.0 || 11 || 0 || 1
|-
|-
| [[1999 NFL season|1999]] || [[1999 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 16 || 65 || 1,191 || 18.3 || 65 || 9 || 47 || 2 || 1
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! [[1999 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| '''16''' || '''65''' || '''1,191''' || '''18.3''' || 65 || '''9''' || '''47''' || '''7''' || 35 || 5.0 || 12 || 0 || 2
|-
|-
| [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 2 || 9 || 103 || 11.4 || 21 || 0 || 7 || 0 || 0
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] !! [[2000 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| 2 || 9 || 103 || 11.4 || 21 || 0 || 7 || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
| [[2001 NFL season|2001]] || [[2001 Washington Redskins season|WSH]] || 16 || 57 || 664 || 11.6 || 76 || 4 || 32 || 0 || 0
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] !! [[2001 Washington Redskins season|WSH]]
| '''16''' || 57 || 664 || 11.6 || '''76''' || 4 || 32 || 2 || 8 || 4.0 || 8 || 0 || 1
|-
|-
| [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 Cincinnati Bengals season|CIN]] || 9 || 8 || 94 || 11.8 || 26 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 0
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] !! [[2002 Cincinnati Bengals season|CIN]]
| 9 || 8 || 94 || 11.8 || 26 || 2 || 4 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
|-
⚫
! colspan="2" |Career<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|title=Michael Westbrook Stats|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/748/michael-westbrook|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref> !! 89 !! 285 !! 4,374 !! 15.3 !! 76 !! 26 !! 203 !! 22 !! 160 !! 7.3 !! 58 !! 1 !! 8
| Career || || 89 || 285 || 4,374 || 15.3 || 76 || 26 || 203 || 2 || 1
|}
⚫
|}<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|title=Michael Westbrook Stats|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/748/michael-westbrook|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref>


==Martial arts==
==Martial arts==
Westbrook practiced [[martial arts]] 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 purple belt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ibjjf.com/results/world-jiu-jitsu-championship-2008-results/ |title=World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2008 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation |website=ibjjf.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406111843/http://ibjjf.com/results/world-jiu-jitsu-championship-2008-results/ |archive-date=2017-04-06}} </ref>
Westbrook practiced [[martial arts]] 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 purple belt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ibjjf.com/results/world-jiu-jitsu-championship-2008-results/ |title=World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2008 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation |website=ibjjf.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406111843/http://ibjjf.com/results/world-jiu-jitsu-championship-2008-results/ |archive-date=2017-04-06}}</ref>


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."<ref name="martial arts"/> 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|Tempe]], [[Arizona]].
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."<ref name="martial arts"/> 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|Tempe]], [[Arizona]].
Line 85: Line 100:
As a [[mixed martial artist]], Westbrook competes in the heavyweight (206-265&nbsp;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]].<ref name="martial arts">
As a [[mixed martial artist]], Westbrook competes in the heavyweight (206-265&nbsp;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]].<ref name="martial arts">
{{cite news
{{cite news
|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3335714
|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=yasinskas_pat&id=3335714
|title=There's no room for football in Westbrook's heart
|title=There's no room for football in Westbrook's heart
|date=April 16, 2008
|date=April 16, 2008
Line 93: Line 108:
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/KOTC-Immortal-9398|title=KOTC - Immortal}}</ref> In July 2009, Westbrook squared off against Nick Gaston in the main event of a King of the Cage card in [[Lac du Flambeau (town), Wisconsin|Lac du Flambeau]], [[Wisconsin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/KOTC-Connection-10527|title=KOTC - Connection}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wicombatsports.com/20090719894/full-results/kotc-connection-to-the-groin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722003826/http://wicombatsports.com/20090719894/full-results/kotc-connection-to-the-groin.html |archive-date=2009-07-22 |title=KOTC Connection (To The Groin)}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/KOTC-Immortal-9398|title=KOTC - Immortal}}</ref> In July 2009, Westbrook squared off against Nick Gaston in the main event of a King of the Cage card in [[Lac du Flambeau (town), Wisconsin|Lac du Flambeau]], [[Wisconsin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/KOTC-Connection-10527|title=KOTC - Connection}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wicombatsports.com/20090719894/full-results/kotc-connection-to-the-groin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722003826/http://wicombatsports.com/20090719894/full-results/kotc-connection-to-the-groin.html |archive-date=2009-07-22 |title=KOTC Connection (To The Groin)}}</ref>


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.
Westbrook also fought on season two, episode ten, 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.


==Mixed martial arts record==
==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| draws=
| nc= 1
| nc= 0
| ko-wins= 0
| ko-wins= 0
| ko-losses= 1
| ko-losses= 1
Line 108: Line 123:
| dq-losses=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
| other-losses=1
}}
}}
{{MMA record start}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|-
| {{nocontest}}L
| {{nocontest}}Loss
| align=center| 1–2
| align=center| 1–2
| Nick Gaston
| Nick Gaston
Line 174: Line 189:
[[Category:Chadsey High School alumni]]
[[Category:Chadsey High School alumni]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 18:38, 23 November 2024

Michael Westbrook
No. 82
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1972-07-07) July 7, 1972 (age 52)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Chadsey (Detroit)
College:Colorado
NFL draft:1995 / round: 1 / pick: 4
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:285
Receiving yards:4,374
Receiving touchdowns:26
Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

Michael Deanailo Westbrook (born July 7, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Westbrook played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, and was recognized as a consensus All-American in 1994. He was selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. After retiring from football, he later competed as a mixed martial arts fighter in the heavyweight division.

Early life

[edit]

Westbrook was born in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Chadsey High School in Detroit, and played for the Chadsey Explorers high school football team.

College football

[edit]

Westbrook attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he played for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 1991 to 1994. As a senior in 1994, he was the receiver in the play known as "The Miracle at Michigan," a Hail Mary pass from Buffaloes quarterback Kordell Stewart to beat the Michigan Wolverines in the final seconds of the game.[1] At the conclusion of the season, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and was the recipient of the Paul Warfield Trophy as the best college wide receiver in the nation.

Professional football

[edit]

The Washington Redskins selected Westbrook in the first round (fourth overall pick) of the 1995 NFL draft.[2] He 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 a teammate, running back Stephen Davis, an incident caught by TV news cameras.[3]

While injuries hampered Westbrook for much of his NFL career, he played all 16 games in 1999 en route to achieving career highs in receptions (65), yards (1,191), and touchdowns (nine). 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.

NFL statistics

[edit]
Year Team GP Receiving Rushing
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD FD Att Yds Avg Lng TD FD
1995 WSH 11 34 522 15.4 45 1 25 6 114 19.0 58 1 4
1996 WSH 11 34 505 14.9 45 1 25 2 2 1.0 2 0 0
1997 WSH 13 34 559 16.4 40 3 30 3 -11 -3.7 7 0 0
1998 WSH 11 44 736 16.7 75 6 33 1 11 11.0 11 0 1
1999 WSH 16 65 1,191 18.3 65 9 47 7 35 5.0 12 0 2
2000 WSH 2 9 103 11.4 21 0 7 — — — — — —
2001 WSH 16 57 664 11.6 76 4 32 2 8 4.0 8 0 1
2002 CIN 9 8 94 11.8 26 2 4 1 1 1.0 1 0 0
Career[4] 89 285 4,374 15.3 76 26 203 22 160 7.3 58 1 8

Martial arts

[edit]

Westbrook practiced martial arts 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 purple belt.[5]

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."[6] 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.[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

Westbrook also fought on season two, episode ten, 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.

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
3 matches 1 win 2 losses
By knockout 0 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 0 0
Unknown 0 1
No contests 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–2 Nick Gaston Loss KOTC: Connection July 18, 2009 1 1:04 Lac de Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 1–1 Travis Browne TKO (punches) KOTC: Immortal February 27, 2009 3 1:22 San Bernardino, California, United States
Win 1–0 Jarrod Bunch Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC 48: Payback February 25, 2005 1 4:55 Cleveland, Ohio, United States

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Schwartz, Larry (November 19, 2003). "Kordell's Hail Mary a "Miracle in Michigan"". ESPN.com.
  2. ^ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Merron, Jeff (November 3, 2003). "I hate you like a brother". ESPN.com.
  4. ^ "Michael Westbrook Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  5. ^ "World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2008 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". ibjjf.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Yasinskas, Pat (April 16, 2008). "There's no room for football in Westbrook's heart". ESPN.com.
  7. ^ "KOTC 48 - Payback".
  8. ^ "KOTC - Immortal".
  9. ^ "KOTC - Connection".
  10. ^ "KOTC Connection (To The Groin)". Archived from the original on July 22, 2009.
[edit]
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