Mike Hammerstein

Michael Scott Hammerstein (born March 3, 1963) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons during the 1980s. He played college football for the University of Michigan, and received All-American honors. Hammerstein played professionally for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

Early years
Hammerstein was born in Kokomo, Indiana. He was raised in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and attended Wapakoneta High School.

College career
Hammerstein attended the University of Michigan, where he played for coach Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football team from 1981 to 1985. He joined the Wolverines as an offensive lineman in the 1981 season and played sparingly. He then redshirted and played four years (1982–1985) as a defensive tackle. He wore #66 for his whole Michigan career, while his brother Mark wore #78 as an offensive lineman from (1982-1986). During his career, he tied a single season record for tackles for losses with 23 while setting the record for yardage lost, sacking opponents for 112 yards lost in 1985. Hammerstein was also named the Most Valuable Player of the 1985 Fiesta Bowl (a 27-23 win over Nebraska). In the game he had two important quarterback sacks. Following his senior season in 1985, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.

In 1985, Hammerstein was paired on the defensive line with Mark Messner. Led by the strong defense of Hammerstein and Messner, the 1985 team went 10-1-1 and finished the year ranked #2 in the nation. In 1985, Hammerstein had 19 tackles for losses (#4 all-time best season at Michigan) for -101 yards (tied for #5). The defense was among the nation's leaders in scoring defense as it yielded only 8.1 pts. per game in 1985. The defense has been described as the best defense in the history of Michigan football.

Hammerstein finished his career as the third highest in Michigan football history in career tackles for losses with 37 for 116 yards.

Professional career
In the 1986 NFL Draft where the Cincinnati Bengals had eight selections in the first four rounds, Hammerstein was the Bengals second of three third round choices and the 65th overall when taken with the tenth pick in the third round. Hammestein played defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1986-1990 under Sam Wyche. Oddly, the 1986 Bengals team went 10-6, but the only playoff team Mike played on was the 1990 team that went 9-7 and advanced to the second round of the 1990 NFL playoffs. The 1990 team only had one Pro Bowler on defense (defensive back David Fulcher), but with Pro Bowlers James Brooks, Rodney Holman and Anthony Munoz on offense they were able to cause some trouble in the playoffs. Hammerstein was part of the solid supporting cast. In the NFL, Hammerstein had no interceptions or forced fumbles, but he had 5.5 quarterback sacks and recovered one opponent fumble.