The Family Room (The Quest)
Join co-hosts Mari Cleveland from St. Jude the Apostle and John Gordon and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel as they speak with authors, theologians, and local priests and lay leaders to provide your family encouragement, resources, and hope. Enjoy heartfelt stories and engaging conversations with Catholics who are excited to share their life experiences and acquired wisdom to help your family continue to live out your faith with joy.
Dec 18, 2024
Mike McCoy Ministries
Mike McCoy, past NFL defensive tackle, motivational speaker
Mike McCoy began his football career at Notre Dame University and then played 11 more years for the NFL. Although he was the #1 draft pick for the Green Bay Packers, he’s quick to divulge he was anything but an agile athlete as a child. Overweight and bullied, Mike never felt he measured up.
His father was an alcoholic, and his family lost their home and moved in with his grandparents when Mike was in the third grade. Entrenched in a very Polish Catholic environment, Mike embraced his faith and actively participated as an altar server when Mass was still said in Latin and then spent a year in seminary before deciding he was not called to the priesthood.
In spite of an absentee father, Mike had strong male role models who encouraged him, and it was this background that led Mike to reach out to youth after his NFL career ended. As the founder and president of Mike McCoy Ministries, his passion for empowering youth helps them develop a larger vision for their lives through faith-based messages of hope and encouragement.
Mike McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American. He was chosen UPI Lineman of the Year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the #1 draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle. He played eleven years in the NFL – seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders, and two with the New York Giants. Mike received many awards including the Packers Rookie of the Year, Packers Dodge NFL Man of the Year, Notre Dame Pro Player of the Year, and induction into the Erie Pro Hall of Fame, Cathedral Prep Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Mike is a recipient of the Harvey Foster Humanitarian Award by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association and was also inducted into National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame. Mike was also awarded Bronco Nagurski Legends award which recognizes the best of the best of defensive football players in the last 40 years.
Mike served on the Board of Directors of YMCA Camp High Harbour, Camp Hope in Georgia, Pro Athletes Outreach, and Wisconsin Special Olympics. He speaks primarily in Catholic schools across America and abroad. He has also been a speaker for the National Catholic Educators Convention, Catholic Men’s Rallies, Bill Glass Ministries in prisons, and to parents and coaches through the Notre Dame Play Like a Champion program.
Resources:
Mike McCoy began his football career at Notre Dame University and then played 11 more years for the NFL. Although he was the #1 draft pick for the Green Bay Packers, he’s quick to divulge he was anything but an agile athlete as a child. Overweight and bullied, Mike never felt he measured up.
His father was an alcoholic, and his family lost their home and moved in with his grandparents when Mike was in the third grade. Entrenched in a very Polish Catholic environment, Mike embraced his faith and actively participated as an altar server when Mass was still said in Latin and then spent a year in seminary before deciding he was not called to the priesthood.
In spite of an absentee father, Mike had strong male role models who encouraged him, and it was this background that led Mike to reach out to youth after his NFL career ended. As the founder and president of Mike McCoy Ministries, his passion for empowering youth helps them develop a larger vision for their lives through faith-based messages of hope and encouragement.
Mike McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American. He was chosen UPI Lineman of the Year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the #1 draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle. He played eleven years in the NFL – seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders, and two with the New York Giants. Mike received many awards including the Packers Rookie of the Year, Packers Dodge NFL Man of the Year, Notre Dame Pro Player of the Year, and induction into the Erie Pro Hall of Fame, Cathedral Prep Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Mike is a recipient of the Harvey Foster Humanitarian Award by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association and was also inducted into National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame. Mike was also awarded Bronco Nagurski Legends award which recognizes the best of the best of defensive football players in the last 40 years.
Mike served on the Board of Directors of YMCA Camp High Harbour, Camp Hope in Georgia, Pro Athletes Outreach, and Wisconsin Special Olympics. He speaks primarily in Catholic schools across America and abroad. He has also been a speaker for the National Catholic Educators Convention, Catholic Men’s Rallies, Bill Glass Ministries in prisons, and to parents and coaches through the Notre Dame Play Like a Champion program.
Resources:
- Mike McCoy Ministries
- Mike coaches through the Notre Dame-based program, Play Like a Champion
