I remember when I first heard about Michael Clark Duncan. I was fascinated by the fact that this huge guy had played in the National Football League. I guess it shouldn’t have come as a surprise since he stood at a towering 6’ 5” and weighed around 300 lbs. Plus, he had such a commanding presence that often had people in awe of him. So it seemed only natural he’d play football, even if it was only for one season.
Yep, “Big Mike”, as he was affectionately called, did play in the NFL. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders in early 1993 as an undrafted free agent. He had been playing at a local college in California at the time, but the Raiders recognized his greatness and gave him a shot. Unfortunately, he only managed to make the practice squad and was cut shortly after.
In hindsight, it’s kind of bittersweet that Michael Clark Duncan couldn’t make it further in the NFL. He had such an inspiring tale of perseverance. You see, he was a college dropout who worked as a ditch digger before getting signed to the Raiders. He was also the first member of his family to go to college, so it was a huge deal for him to make the roster.
After the Raiders, Michael did find success in other aspects of life. He went on to have a successful career as an actor, accruing critically acclaimed roles in the Green Mile, the Scorpion King and Armageddon. He even won an Academy Award nomination for his role in the Green Mile.
Michael Clark Duncan was a huge influence on my life, even as a football player. It was inspiring to see someone like him, who came from nothing, managed to make it to the NFL level. He had accomplished a feat that many people could never even dream of. So even though he only played in the NFL for one season, it’s hard to not respect him and all the work he put in to get there.
Looking back, I can’t help but think about what could’ve been if Michael got more of a chance to prove himself. He had a rare combination of size and speed that could have made him one of the most dominant players of all time. He definitely would have got more attention and recognition that way.
It’s also depressing to think that now, with Michael gone, there’s so few big, intimidating players like him in the league. There’s a lot of players with a lot of talent but there’s just something about the big guys that definitely makes an impact and gets people’s attention.
I’ve been highly critical of the NFL for not recognizing the greatness of players like Michael Clarke Duncan. It’s clear that they favor the small, elusive players who have tons of talent but lack size. I mean, there was a time when the NFL was dominated by big, powerful athletes.
It’s a true shame that Michael Clark Duncan never got an extended chance to play in the NFL. I guess you could say he passed up a chance to become a household name in the sports world for a successful career as an actor. But still, it’s hard not to think about what could have been.
At the same time, when I think about “Big Mike” I can’t help but smile. He had an incredible life and even inspired me in some way. He was a true example of someone who was able to overcome any obstacle and make a name for himself. That’s something we can all admire.