(Michael) Mike Dumas was a standout running back and defensive back at Lowell High School, starred at Indiana University and played eight seasons in the NFL.
The Grand Rapids native earned All-State honors at Lowell and then All-American second team status as a cornerback at Indiana who also excelled on special teams with nine blocked punts.
He started at cornerback as a true freshman during the successful Bill Mallory coaching era and switched to safety at the end of his junior year where he played for his entire 1990 All-American senior season that featured 116 tackles and three interceptions.
The Houston Oilers drafted him in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He was the 28th player taken overall. He played two seasons with Houston, one with the Buffalo Bills, one with the Jacksonville Jaguars and his last four with the San Diego Chargers earning a reputation as a big hitter at safety. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 2001, but a lingering ankle injury forced him to retire.
Injuries marred his career. Eight times he had surgeries during his career including a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, three knee surgeries and a broken ankle. Still, he recorded 292 tackles, nine fumble recoveries, seven interceptions, five sacks and two returns for touchdowns as a professional. Despite the injuries, he started 41 of his 90 games.
He coached special teams and the secondary with the Miami Dolphins for three years before branching into a career as a business professional in Florida.