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Michael Lavon Townsend (born March 19, 1952) is an American former professional football defensive back who played two seasons in the World Football League (WFL) with the Jacksonville Sharks and Memphis Southmen. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He was a consensus All-American in 1973.
| No. 42, 29[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 19, 1952 Brundidge, Alabama, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Garfield (Hamilton, Ohio) |
| College: | Notre Dame (1970–1973) |
| NFL draft: | 1974 / round: 4 / pick: 86 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
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Michael Lavon Townsend was born on March 19, 1952, in Brundidge, Alabama.[1] He attended Garfield High School in Hamilton, Ohio.[1]
Townsend was a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team from 1970 to 1973.[1] He led the nation with a school-record ten interceptions as a junior in 1972.[2][3] Townsend was a captain on the Notre Dame 1973 national championship team.[3] He was a consensus All-American in 1973.[4][5][6] He played in the Hula Bowl after his senior season.[3] He played with his brother Willie Townsend all four years at Notre Dame.[7]
Townsend was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, with the 86th overall pick, of the 1974 NFL draft, and by the Jacksonville Sharks in the sixth round, with the 70th overall pick, of the 1974 WFL draft.[1] He chose to sign with the Sharks and played in all 14 games for the Sharks during the 1974 WFL season, recording four interceptions.[1]
In 1975, he signed with the Vikings but was later released on August 25, 1975.[8]
He then played in one game for the Memphis Southmen of the WFL in 1975.[9]
Townsend was signed by the New York Giants on January 27, 1976, but was later released.[8]
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