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Mike Wise (American football)

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Mike Wise
No. 90, 93
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born:(1964-06-05)June 5, 1964
Greenbrae, California, U.S.
Died:August 21, 1992(1992-08-21) (aged 28)
Davis, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:271 lb (123 kg)
Career information
High school:San Marin
(Novato, California)
College:UC Davis
NFL draft:1986 / round: 4 / pick: 85
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:9.5
Fumble recoveries:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Michael Allen Wise (June 5, 1964 – August 21, 1992) was a professional American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL).[1] He was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL draft.[2][3] He played five seasons in the NFL for the Raiders, and the Cleveland Browns.

Early life

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Wise was born in Greenbrae, California, and attended San Marin High School in Novato, California. He played college football at the University of California, Davis; during his senior year, he was voted "Northern California Athletic Conference Player of the Year".[4]

Professional career

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Los Angeles Raiders

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Wise was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders with the 85th overall pick in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL draft.[5] Wise played four seasons as a defensive end with the Raiders from 1986 to 1990.[6] He once appeared on the cover of a 1990 issue of Sports Illustrated.[7]

However, during his time with the Raiders, Wise dealt with injuries and personal problems. In the 1991 off-season, Wise reported to training camp, but left several times without permission from the team; Wise was unhappy about his diminished role on the team, a contract dispute, and was also distraught over the declining health of his grandfather, Ray, who was rapidly losing his eyesight.[8][9][4]

In August, according to witnesses, Wise got into a fight with his Raiders teammate, defensive lineman Emanuel King, where he knocked King down with one punch; King later on tried to attack Wise with a tire iron.[4] The Raiders released Wise to free agency on October 10.[10][11][4]

Cleveland Browns

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One day after being waived by the Raiders, Wise was signed by the Cleveland Browns on October 11, 1991;[10][11] Wise would play three games for the Browns during the 1991–92 season, before sitting out the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. In a mini-camp during the following off-season, Wise hurt his back while doing a squat press;[4] the Browns released him to free agency on August 4, 1992, despite his bad back.[12][4]

After being waived by the Browns, Wise became depressed as his injured back did not respond to treatment, and he was forced to sell his house in Davis, California; at that time, Wise and his attorneys were filing an injury grievance against the Browns.[4]

Personal life

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During his time with the Los Angeles Raiders, Wise met his girlfriend, Mary McBride, on a blind date at a steak house in Davis.[4]

After he was waived by the Cleveland Browns, Wise called McBride to come pick him up at his home; the couple once lived together, and had planned to get married next spring. McBride was the last person to see Wise alive before his death.[4]

Death

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On August 21, 1992, Wise committed suicide at his home in Davis, at the age of 28; he was found dead in his bedroom with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.[13][14][15] Wise was buried in Novato.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Mike Wise". Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  2. ^ "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  3. ^ "Raiders Draft History". Oakland Raiders. Retrieved June 17, 2003.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Dufresne, Chris (September 15, 1992). "No Way to Know Why: Whether Mike Wise's NFL Days Had a Role in His Suicide Is Unclear, But the Sport's Impact on His Life Is Unmistakable". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  5. ^ "The Raiders Signed Mike Wise, 6-7, 280-Pound..." Los Angeles Times. July 13, 1986. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  6. ^ "Mike Wise - All-Time Roster - History". Raiders.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "Sport Illustrated August 27, 1990". eBay. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  8. ^ Dufresne, Chris (July 25, 1992). "PRO FOOTBALL: DAILY REPORT: RAIDERS: Wise Explains Why He Left Camp". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Dufresne, Chris (August 9, 1991). "PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT: RAIDERS: Wise Walks Out of Camp a Second Time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Manoloff, Dennis (October 11, 1991). "Cleveland Tries to Avoid Brownout". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "AROUND THE NFL: Ex-Raider Wise Signed by Browns". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 12, 1991. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  12. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 5, 1992. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  13. ^ "Former Raider Wise Dead at 28". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 23, 1992. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "Former Raider Found Dead in His Home". Deseret News. August 23, 1992. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  15. ^ White, Lonnie (August 25, 1992). "PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT: RAIDERS: Shell Recalls Strong Games by Wise". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
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