Mike Kadish was an All-State football lineman at Catholic Central, an All-American at Notre Dame and played 10 seasons in the NFL.
He was recruited out of Catholic Central by legendary Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian and was a teammate with fellow City League alum and Hall of Fame member Clarence Ellis on the Irish team.
Kadish was a three-year starter on the defensive line for the Irish and his standout senior season in 1971 earned him All-American honors.
The Miami Dolphins made him their first-round pick in 1972, the 25th pick overall. He spent his rookie year on the Dolphins taxi squad and did not play on a historic team that went unbeaten and won Super Bowl VII. Kadish did get a Super Bowl ring, and just prior to the 1973 season was traded to the Buffalo Bills.
He played in 127 games as a standout nose tackle with the Bills over the next nine seasons and in 1977 was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. While with the Bills he was regarded as one of the NFL’s top run-stoppers.
After football Kadish returned to the Grand Rapids area and served as a volunteer coach with the Forest Hills Central football program.