ES Profile: Mike Sellers

[JimmiJo]

ES Profile: Mike Sellers

ES Profile: Mike Sellers
John Pappas - Extremeskins


On the football field Mike Sellers is a beast of a man.

At 6-3, 284 lbs. he is a unique mixture of size, muscle, and skill. He is a lethal blocker, able to smash holes through a defensive line. He is good receiver, a large target with great hands. He is a power back, one who tends to run over people rather than around them.

For some the image of Mike Sellers is synonymous with that of a madman, one who jaw-jacks to players of opposing teams after crushing them under blocks. To others the image is that of a cagey veteran who can sell a block and then slide out for a touchdown catch in the flat. Still to others, he is a terrorizing runner with the ball, one who can knock them on their rump and keep going.

Sellers has been playing professional football, either in the CFL or NFL, for 13 years. In 1995 he was the youngest player ever signed to the CFL at the age of 19. He was undrafted, having played community college ball at Walla Walla College in Washington State before dropping out to care for his sickly mother.

Sellers was born in Frankfurt, Germany, an army brat. His father served twice in Germany and Sellers spent a total of eight years in Germany while growing up. His father would eventually retire in Washington State where his son would blossom as an athlete.

Highly ranked and recruited in high school, Sellers attended North Thurston High School in Lacey, Washington, where he was a letterman in football, basketball, and track (as a senior, Sellers was named Washington State’s Prep Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year). But, he said he; “never got around to taking my SATs,” and ended up in community college. While playing at Walla Walla Canadian scouts kept an eye on Sellers and in 1995 he was signed to the Edmonton Eskimos where he played both defensive end and fullback.

Sellers made his mark playing three seasons with the Eskimos, catching the eye of NFL scouts. In 1998 he was signed by the Washington Redskins. He played three seasons for the Redskins from 1998-2000 where he was used mostly to block, although he did catch four touchdowns from 1999-2000.



In 2001 Sellers was signed as a restricted free agent by the Cleveland Browns. He received a lucrative contract worth almost $2.5 million with an $800,000 signing bonus. However, midway through the season Sellers would see his world collapse when he and teammate Lamar Chapman were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. Within two weeks Sellers was released from the Browns. Suddenly a pariah in the league, no team in the NFL was interested in signing Sellers.

“I was pretty much being immature,” Sellers said of the incident, “thinking I was invincible, doing whatever I wanted to do. I learned the hard way you couldn’t do it.”

With no opportunities in the states Sellers returned to Canada to play for a fraction of his former contract. When asked if he thought he would ever be able to return to the NFL he said; “I never stopped hoping, I just figured that if I go play to the point where somebody has to look at me then maybe I’d get that second chance.”

Sellers was signed by the Winnipeg Bombers and along with Charles Roberts became part of a running back tandem known as ‘Thunder and Lightning’ (Sellers was Thunder). “We both played tailback,” he said. “Charles Roberts was about 170 dripping wet. So you know me, I was 270-275 at the time. I had a lot of success.”

He did indeed. In 2002 Sellers finished second on the team in rushing with 77 carries for 377 yards. He finished third on the team in receiving with 63 catches for 643 yards and four touchdowns.

Sellers spent another year with Winnipeg before getting his second shot to play in the NFL. “I was just sitting at home on my couch,” he said, “and I see my phone ring and I see the Washington Redskins and I’m like ‘Oh hell no!’ And they were talking about they wanted to bring me back in.”

Sellers was happy to get another shot with his former team. After being used mostly as a blocker in 2004 (a role he loves), Sellers showed what he is capable of in 2005, catching seven passes for touchdowns and rushing for another. In addition, he was the lead blocker for Clinton Portis, who set a Redskins single-season rushing record with more than 1,500 yards that year.



It was during the 2005 season that the image of Sellers the madman took shape. Often after plays he could be seen screaming at defenders, something he still does. “I’ll just let them know I’m coming back,” he said, “and it’s gonna be a long game, and you are gonna feel it.” Some talk back he said but, “most of them tend to quiet down after about the second quarter cause they know it’s not gonna stop.”

It was also in 2005 that Sellers showed the kind of power he has, running over Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins who made the mistake of trying to tackle Sellers in the open field. “I don’t have any moves in my repertoire,” he said, “If you get in my way I’m going to run you over.”

In 2006 Sellers had fewer run opportunities as the Redskins brought in running back T.J. Duckett for short-yardage situations. While Sellers had nothing against Duckett, he believes he is an effective short-yardage back. “I definitely think that is a role that is suited for me,” he said. “It’s been as far as to show coaches my old CFL film just to let them know I can run the ball.” He said in this his size is a disadvantage. “Every coach that I’ve ever had because of my size they look at me and say ‘he can’t do that.’”



Sellers said he uses his CFL film to advocate more runs for himself with the coaches. “I might YouTube it,” he said, “happen to be in the office and put on YouTube, or happen to have some tapes and throw them in their office.” His petitioning might be paying off as he has been told that his role will be expanded this year.

At 32, Sellers says he is in the best shape of his life and looks forward to the upcoming season. “I feel great,” he said. “Honestly, truly, I feel I can play another eight years.”

[LoudMouth12thMan]

Dude is a monster. Great read and thx for the post JJ

HTTR

[Jimbo]

Great read. Thanks John!

[Dan T.]

I'm glad Sellers has made the most of his second chance. Sometimes when you lose it all, you learn to appreciate things more. He seems hungry, and that's good for us.

[Destructis]

Good read and I have a lot of respect for a guy who screws up his life and then works hard to get it back in order. I have to root for a guy like that.

[Ant15fromNJ]

Good post Sellers is the man!

[JimmiJo]

Originally Posted by Dan T.

I'm glad Sellers has made the most of his second chance. Sometimes when you lose it all, you learn to appreciate things more. He seems hungry, and that's good for us.

Originally Posted by Destructis

Good read and I have a lot of respect for a guy who screws up his life and then works hard to get it back in order. I have to root for a guy like that.

In some ways that was the story for me. Here's a guy who made a mistake but has worked his tail off and it seems to be paying off. If you think about it, he has played longer already as a pro than most.

Thanks for the kind words.

[jsmith2003]

If that won't get you pumped NOTHING will, that man is a beast, his heads in the right place, and loves to TAUNT the defense - I LOVE IT!!! Here's to returning to some serious smash mouth football, with a little play-action just because we can!!

HAIL

ps. Thanks JimmiJo as always - great read

[terpfan]

I love Mike Sellers. He should have been our short yardage guy all along. If it were up to me he would have 2-3 carries a game.

[Bliz]

I think he was kidding, but I really hope he does post that youtube clip. It would quickly become a favorite around here.

nice read, as always.

[JimmiJo]

Originally Posted by Bliz

I think he was kidding, but I really hope he does post that youtube clip. It would quickly become a favorite around here.

nice read, as always.

No, he wasn't kidding...

[Russell Shotgun]

Sellars is the man. So often the fullback is overlooked, but it really is an incredibly important position. LT and Shaun Alexander both excellent in no small part to the fact that they ran behind exceptional fullbacks (Mack Strong and Lorenzo Neal). I think Sellars isn't too far behind their caliber.

I love his attitude and toughness. He plays like a linebacker, but on the offense.

Let's hope he has a great season with a couple of TDs of his own!

[moondog]

Sellers is easily one of my favorite players on our team. I will never forget Portis literally latching on to his jersey and Sellers towing him forward and eventually Portis tossing himself off Sellers into the endzone against Arizona...simply amazing

[terpfan]

Here's one of those videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxf_-...elated&search=

[HapHaszard]

John, between you and Murf, I can't decide who is the best, Murf does an interview I say wow, then you come out with a great article and I am double wow'd. You both have added so much to this board and I really thank you for it. One of these days when you have a large portfolio of stuff you need to put it in book format, and have it published. I'm sure it would be a best seller.