Mike Seidman (American football)

Michael Andrew "Mike" Seidman (born February 11, 1981) is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA.

Early life and high school
Seidman was born in Westlake Village, California, and is Jewish. His mother is Jewish and his father is Catholic (his paternal grandfather had also been Jewish), and Seidman was raised with "little religion". He played high school football at Westlake High School in Westlake Village, California, under head coach Jim Benkert (1995–98). His teammates included Zac Wasserman, a former Penn State quarterback recruit and USC long snapper, and fellow tight end Joe Boskovich (who was injured with an ACL tear during his and Seidman's senior season).

College career
Seidman played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played mostly on special teams as a true freshman. He played in 10 out of 11 games his first year; he would not miss another game the rest of his college career. He led the team in yards-per-catch average in his junior year.

As a senior, he was one of the three finalists for the John Mackey Award, which is given to the best tight end in the nation. He was the team's MVP, made All-Pac-10 honors, and set a school record for most receiving yards by a tight end.

NFL career
Seidman was selected in the third round (76th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.

He appeared in 12 games and registered five catches for 35 yards before tearing his ACL, and spent the rest of the 2003 season on injured reserve.

He returned from injury at the start of the 2004 NFL season, and scored the first two touchdowns of his career against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; the second came while lying on his back in the end zone.

Seidman was third on the tight end depth chart behind Kris Mangum and Michael Gaines at the end of the 2006 season.

He tore his ACL again in 2006, and was cut from the Panthers in the offseason. He then signed with the Colts on May 8, 2007. However, he was placed on the injured reserve on August 4, 2007.