Professional identity and summary
Mike Meyer is a name shared by several professionals in different fields, most notably an American football placekicker born in 1990 who played in the National Football League (NFL). This profile focuses on the verified career of the athlete Mike Meyer, summarizing his path from college to the professional level. It also notes other individuals with the same name to reduce confusion. The content below draws on public records, league data, and reputable reporting to present a durable, fact-first explanation useful for long-term reference.
Early life and education
Mike Meyer was born on July 4, 1990, in DeWitt, Iowa. He attended St. John’s High School in DeWitt, where he played football and showed early promise as a kicker. Academically, he pursued higher education at the University of Iowa, joining the Iowa Hawkeyes football program. His time in college was critical to his development as a specialist, combining consistent performance on kickoffs and field goals with the discipline required at the collegiate level.
College career highlights
- Earned starting kicking duties in his final two seasons with the Hawkeyes.
- Delivered reliable field goal percentages and strong touchback rates on kickoffs.
- Helped Iowa compete in high-stakes conference matchups, demonstrating composure under pressure.
Professional playing career
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Mike Meyer signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent, marking the start of his professional career. He later appeared with other NFL teams, briefly expanding his experience across multiple rosters. During his time in the league, he handled core special-teams duties and contributed in limited offensive and defensive situations. The following table outlines key professional milestones, approximate periods, and available public detail subject to further verification.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth date | July 4, 1990 | Public records |
| College | University of Iowa | School archives, team roster data |
| Entry to NFL | 2014 (undrafted free agent with Seattle Seahawks) | League records, team announcements |
| Teams (NFL) | Seattle Seahawks, others (limited public detail) | Transaction logs, roster reports |
| Primary role | Placekicker / Special teams contributor | Play listings, position registers |
Special teams role and on-field responsibilities
As a placekicker, Mike Meyer’s responsibilities centered on high-pressure, low-frequency moments that heavily influence field position and scoring opportunities. His duties typically included:
- Field goal attempts of varying distance, requiring accuracy and the ability to read wind conditions.
- Extra point conversions after touchdowns, with consistent execution being crucial.
- Kickoff duties, where touchbacks and directional kicks can shape the opposing team’s starting field position.
- Punt coverage, contributing on special teams units by tackling or breaking up returns.
Success in these areas depends on repetition, technique, and mental resilience, especially given the limited opportunities per game.
Name ambiguity and other individuals named Mike Meyer
It is important to acknowledge that multiple people share the name Mike Meyer. Beyond the football player, there are professionals in fields such as music, business, and local politics who carry the same name. Without additional context like location or industry, references to Mike Meyer can lead to ambiguity. When researching public figures or evaluating achievements, confirming the specific domain and timeframe helps ensure accuracy and clarity.
Career context and league landscape
Professional kickers face a distinctive set of challenges, including roster volatility, competition from new talent, and evolving rules around placekicking and officiating. For Mike Meyer, navigating these factors meant moving between teams and adapting to different coaching schemes. The NFL’s special-teams units place a premium on reliability, versatility, and quick decision-making. Understanding this environment helps explain the trajectory of a specialist who may not accumulate headline statistics but plays a meaningful role within team success.
Performance context and limitations
Because of the niche nature of the kicker role, comprehensive public data for players like Mike Meyer may be incomplete or inconsistently updated. Film study, advanced metrics (such as touchback rates and net field position), and behind-the-scenes contributions often go unrecorded in widely available summaries. As a result, any profile should distinguish between confirmed facts, such as roster appearances and basic biographical details, and inferred or generalized context about impact and performance.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Mike Meyer best known for? He is best known as an NFL placekicker who appeared for teams including the Seattle Seahawks, primarily serving special-teams roles.
- When was Mike Meyer born? He was born on July 4, 1990.
- Where did Mike Meyer play college football? He played at the University of Iowa with the Iowa Hawkeyes football program.
- Was Mike Meyer drafted into the NFL? No, he entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014.
- Are there other notable people named Mike Meyer? Yes, the name is shared by professionals in music, business, and local government; context is needed to distinguish individuals.
Summary and takeaways
Mike Meyer’s career illustrates the specialized, high-leverage role of an NFL placekicker/standout special-teams contributor, built through college development and persistence in a competitive league. Confirming precise team timelines, statistics, and performance metrics requires further verification from league and media sources. For readers, the key takeaways are an understanding of the kicker’s responsibilities, the career path from college to the NFL, and the importance of disambiguating names when researching public figures.