Mike Compton (American football)

Michael Eugene Compton (born September 18, 1970) is a former American college and professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons. Compton college football for West Virginia University, and was recognized as an All-American center. He played professionally for the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL, and started in Super Bowl XXXVI for the Patriots.

Early years
Compton was born in Richlands, Virginia. He graduated from Richlands High School, where he played high school football, baseball and wrestled for the Richlands Blue Tornadoes.

College career
Compton attended West Virginia University, and he played for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team from 1989 to 1992. He began his college career at West Virginia in 1989 as a redshirt freshman. Compton was backup to senior center Jeff Price that season. In 1990, Compton's sophomore season, he became the starter at the center position. His game experience from his redshirt freshman year was key in his starting success. In 1991, as a junior, Compton was an all-Big East selection.

In 1992, his senior season, Compton earned consensus All-American honors. He was a finalist for the Lombardi Award, a first-team all-Big East selection, a selection to the CFA Scholar-Athlete Team, and a first-team Academic All-American.

In 2005, Compton was inducted into West Virginia University's Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional career
Compton was selected in the third round (68th pick overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, and he played for the Lions from 1993 to 2000. He was the starter on the offensive line, blocking for Barry Sanders during his record-setting rushing seasons. During his time with the Lions, Compton also served as the team's long snapper for field goal and point after attempts. Linebacker Allen Aldridge served as the long snapper for punt coverage.

In 2001, Compton joined the New England Patriots squad. In his three seasons with the Patriots, Compton earned two Super Bowl rings. In 2004, Compton ended his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Coaching career
Compton was an assistant coach at Tazewell High School in Tazewell, Virginia during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In 2008, he was named head football coach at Patrick Henry High School in Glade Spring, Virginia.

In 2011, Compton began his collegiate football coaching career as offensive line coach for Bluefield College.

He and his family reside in Richlands, Virginia. Compton has three children.