About Me
Curtis was born March 27, 1943 in Washington, DC. He attended Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) in Rockville, MD and received a football scholarship to Duke University, where he was named All-ACC Academic in 1963.
At RMHS, Curtis was named Outstanding Player of the Year in 1960 as a fullback. At Duke University, he was a two-time All Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a fullback and linebacker, All Time Letterman 1962, 1963 and 1964 as well as an ACC Champion in Track and Field (Javelin). Mike graduated with a B.A. in 1966 from Duke.
Mike Curtis was drafted first round by the Baltimore Colts and is well known for his outstanding career in the National Football League.
During his years with the Baltimore Colts, Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins, Curtis set the standard for NFL linebackers – middle and outside - big, quick and agile with explosive tackling ability. He played in four Pro Bowls, and led the Colts’ defense to two Super Bowls. Curtis recorded 5 interceptions in 1970 and was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year. He received MVP honors by the New York Chapter of Professional Football Writers of America after Super Bowl V. Curtis was named the Colts' Most Valuable Player in 1974. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the 1976 expansion draft and played one season with them before retiring with the Redskins in 1978.
Mike Curtis wrote one book about his NFL career called Keep off My Turf. In it, he states that the New York Jets, who upset the Colts in the Super Bowl III, "were lucky that day," and that the 1968 Colts were "twice as good as the Jets."
After his outstanding football career, Mike continued to challenge himself with Outward Bound Wilderness Expeditions, specifically mountaineering in Patagonia, Chile and the Collegiate Peaks in Central Colorado. Other Expeditions saw Mike climbing summits in the Alps, Appalachians, Alaska, and Maine.
Named to Duke University Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, Curtis was selected to Duke’s All-Century Team in 2000.
Mike's Football Career Awards, Honors & Accomplishments
1958 - Washington Post High School Player of the Week
1960 - All Metropolitan Team of High School Players
1960 - Jos. T. Sanford Memorial Award for the Outstanding Local High School Player of the Year
1962 - Duke University All Atlantic Coast Conference Fullback - 1962
1963 - Duke University Academic All Atlantic Coast Conference - 1963
1963 - Duke Blue Devil Club - Outstanding Performance In Football Play Against University of Maryland
1964 - Duke University All Atlantic Coast Conference Fullback - 1964
1964 - Duke University Carmen Falcone Team MVP Award - 1964
1964 - Duke University All American - Third Team (FB) - 1964
1964 - Duke University All Time Letterman 1962, 1963 and 1964
1964 - Duke University Arch McDonald Achievement Award to Local Boy Makes Good by Outstanding Contribution to Sports
1964 - Outstanding Player 1964 Homecoming Game - Durham Chamber of Commerce
1965 - Colts Pride and Courage Award
1966 - Game Ball - Colts 45 vs Lions 14 - Oct. 16, 1966
1968 - All Pro - Pro Bowl
- 1968 All-NFL Team - First Team - Defense - Corner linebacker - Mike Curtis, Baltimore
1968 - Outstanding Player Award - Colts Corral #13
1968 - Most Improved Player Award - Colts Corral #8
1968 - Outstanding Colts Player Award - Colts Corral #5
1968 - AP Defensive Player of the Week - Colts 27 vs Rams 10 - Oct. 27, 1968
1968 - Reisterstown PTA "Mr Linebacker" In Appreciation For His Contribution To Youth Through Sports 11/12/68
1969 - The Sporting News NFL - West All Star Team
1969 - Second Team NEA
1969 - NFL - Special Golden Helmet Award Pro Bowl Football Game West All-Stars
1969 - Outstanding Player Award - Colts Corral #5
1970 - Kansas City 101 Club AFC Outstanding Defensive Player - (101 Top Media People In America)
1970 - All Pro - Pro Bowl
1970 - New York Chapter of Professional Football Writers of America Super Bowl V MVP
1970 - Outstanding Contributions to the Baltimore Colts 1969-1970 - Epicureans Inc
1970 - Outstanding Performance As A Professional Football Player for Baltimore Colts - Colts Corral #9
1970 - Player of the Year Award - Colts Corral #8
1970 - NFL Defensive Player of the Week - Oct. 5, 1970
1970 - AP Defensive Player of the Week - Colts 35 vs Miami 0 - Nov. 1, 1970
1971 - Baltimore Colts Team Captain
1971 - Mary Dobkin A.C. Award Most Valuable Player - Colts
1971 - All Pro - Pro Bowl
1971 - NFL - Pro Bowl Golden Helmet Award AFC All-Stars
1971 - Associated Press AFC Defensive Player of the Week
1971 - Most Dedicated Player Award - Colts Corral #14
1971 - Player Of The Year Award - Colts Corral #954
1971 - Game Ball - Colts 43 vs Bills 0 - Oct 10, 1971
1971 - Game Ball - Colts 24 vs Rams 17 - Nov 8, 1971
1971 - Game Ball - Colts 14 vs Miami 3 - Dec. 11, 1971
1971 - Superman Of The Year Award for Outstanding Player in Super Bowl - Washington Daily News - 5.27.71
1971 - Honored to tour Service Camps in Viet Nam for the State Department
1972 - New York Chapter of Professional Football Writers of America AFC Defensive Player of the Week
1972 - NFL - Pro Bowl Golden Helmet Award AFC All-Stars
1972 - Certificate of Appreciation - Rockville MD Kiwanis Club
1973 - Game Ball - Colts 18 vs New England Patriots 13 - Defensive Team Captain - Dec. 16, 1973
1973 - Outstanding Local Professional Athlete - R.E.C. Club
1973 - Outstanding Efforts As A Baltimore Colt - Colts Corral #2 - 1973
1973 - Award In Recognition of Exceptional Cooperation Rendered to the Community Relations Commission in Baltimore County
1974 - Baltimore Colts Team Captain
1974 - Baltimore Colts MVP
1974 - All Pro - Pro Bowl
1974 - Football Digest Picks The Best of 1974 - Best Linebacker Mike Curtis, Baltimore
1975 - Colts Player of the Year - Colts Corral #18
1976 - Council of Colts Corrals Honor - Your Efforts & Dedication to our Team & Community will always be remembered
1976 - Seattle Seahawks Team Captain
1976 - Game Ball - Seahawks 13 vs Tampa 10 - Oct. 17, 1976
1977 - Game Ball - Redskins 10 vs Buccaneers 0 - Oct. 9, 1977
1977 - AP Defensive Player of the Week - Redskins vs Colts
1977 - Daily News NFL Player of the Week - Redskins vs Colts - Nov. 7, 1977
1977 - All Time All Madden SB Special - Jan. 26, 1977
1981 - Duke University Sports Hall Of Fame
1987 - Service Award - Member National Capital YMCA Operations Committee - 1986-1987
1987 - NFL Alumni Charity Golf Series Bronze Medalist Baltimore Colts Chapter
1990 - Outstanding Service Award Member Operations Committee YMCA 1982-1990
2003 - Baltimore Colts 50th Anniversary All Time Team - Leslie Moore Scholarship Foundation
N/A - In Recognition Of And Appreciation For Life Membership In The Iron Dukes
