1. Overview
Michael LaVern Fanning (1953-2022) was an American professional American football player who primarily played as a defensive tackle for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He gained recognition during his college football career at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned first-team All-American honors in 1974. Fanning played for the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks in the NFL, notably starting in Super Bowl XIV with the Rams. After his professional career, he worked in the athletic department of the University of Tulsa.
2. Early life
Michael Fanning was born on February 2, 1953, in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
3. College career
Fanning attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played for the Fighting Irish football team. During his college career, he recorded a total of 164 tackles. He was a prominent starter at defensive tackle for Notre Dame in both the 1973 and 1974 seasons. In 1974, Fanning was recognized as a first-team All-American by several esteemed organizations, including the Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, the Newspaper Enterprise Association, and Time. Additionally, he was selected as a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.
During his time at Notre Dame, Fanning shared the practice field with Rudy Ruettiger, whose life story later became the subject of the Hollywood film, Rudy. The Notre Dame defense was highly successful during Fanning's tenure. In 1973, the team ranked second nationally in total defense, and the Fighting Irish went on to claim the national championship with an undefeated 11-0 record. In 1974, the defense further improved, ranking first in the nation by allowing only 195.2 yd per game, and the team finished the season ranked sixth in the final AP poll.
4. Professional career
Michael Fanning embarked on his professional football career after being selected in the 1975 NFL draft. He played for a decade in the National Football League, primarily serving as a defensive tackle for three different teams. His career included a significant tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, followed by stints with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.
4.1. Los Angeles Rams (1975-1982)
Fanning was a highly anticipated prospect in the 1975 NFL draft, selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round as the ninth overall pick. He was projected as a potential successor to legendary defensive lineman Merlin Olsen, who was entering his 14th season in 1975. However, Fanning's rookie season was hampered by a broken leg, which limited his playing time after returning midway through the season.
In 1976, while providing spot duty for Olsen, Fanning recorded four sacks. He became a full-time starter at left tackle in 1979, stepping into the role after an injury to teammate Cody Jones. Fanning demonstrated his pass-rushing prowess by recording eight sacks in 1979 and an impressive ten sacks in 1980. In the strike-shortened 1982 season, he led the Rams in sacks with five. During his time with the Rams, Fanning also started in Super Bowl XIV.
4.2. Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks (1983-1984)
Prior to the 1983 season, Fanning was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he played for one season. In 1984, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent. With the Seahawks, he transitioned into a role as a pass-rush specialist, recording seven sacks in his single season with the team.
5. Later life
After concluding his professional football career, Michael Fanning joined the athletic department at the University of Tulsa in 2009. He worked there for 14 years, initially managing group ticket sales. Later, he served as the special assistant for administration and operations for the athletic department, a position he held until his death.
6. Death
Michael Fanning died on October 30, 2022, at the age of 69.