Michael Nattiel

Michael Dondril Nattiel (born November 8, 1980) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the early 2000s. Nattiel played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.

Early years
Nattiel was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1980. He attended Newberry High School in Newberry, Florida, where he played for the Newberry Fighting Panthers high school football team. Nattiel was a three-time Florida Class 3A all-state honoree at linebacker, and was recognized as a high school All-American by SuperPrep, PrepStar and National Blue Chips.

College career
Nattiel received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and played outside linebacker for coach Steve Spurrier and coach Ron Zook's Florida Gators football teams from 1999 to 2002. Nattiel recovered a key fumble in the Gators' Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship victory over the Auburn Tigers in 2000, and was an honorable mention All-SEC selection in 2002.

Professional career
The Minnesota Vikings selected Nattiel in the sixth round (190th pick overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft, and he played for the Vikings from 2003 to 2004. In his two-season NFL career, Nattiel played in thirty-two games in a backup role, the highlight of which was an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2003.

Personal
Nattiel is the cousin of Ricky Nattiel, former standout wide receiver for the Florida Gators and the NFL's Denver Broncos. After his professional career, he returned to the state of Florida to coach football, and returned to his home town Panthers in 2011 as defensive coordinator.