Michael Sinclair, a former NFL defensive end and 2024 New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame inductee, discussed his football journey during an interview on ESPN Radio 101.7's "TEAM TALK." He emphasized that his path from Eastern New Mexico University to the NFL was shaped more by personal growth and relationships than by statistics.
"getting to Portales, you know, meeting different guys throughout the years, bonding, you know, being typical college students, typical collegiate athletes," said Sinclair, former American football player and coach. "I always felt sports was about, it gave you a great platform to meet people and impact people, and therefore you being impacted by that experience yourself. I tell my kids that greatness is really about the simple things. Can you get up on time? Can you be to school on time? Can you turn in your homework on time? That decision changed my whole life, the trajectory of it."
During the interview, Sinclair recounted his unconventional journey from Beaumont, Texas, to Eastern New Mexico University. He recalled how an altercation with a rude recruit during a campus visit influenced his college decision. Reflecting on his career, Sinclair said, "I don’t really remember the numbers," highlighting that sports for him were more about relationships and personal growth. Now a teacher, he instills the value of simple disciplines in his students, saying, "Greatness is really about the simple things… that’s the foundation for being great."
According to Pro Football Reference, in the 1998 NFL season, Sinclair led the league with 16.5 sacks while playing for the Seattle Seahawks. This achievement not only marked the highest sack total in the NFL that year but also set a single-season franchise record for the Seahawks. His performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and solidified his reputation as one of the premier defensive ends in the league.
After retiring from professional football, Sinclair transitioned into education and is currently a sixth-grade math teacher at Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Fort Bend Independent School District, Texas. The school's website states that he holds a degree in Health and Science and is committed to instilling foundational habits such as punctuality, responsibility, and respect in his students—habits he believes are essential for personal greatness.
Sinclair played most of his professional career with the Seattle Seahawks after being drafted in the sixth round in 1991. He became a three-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in sacks in 1998; however, his career was later impacted by a diagnosis of Type-II diabetes.
Editor's note: This article includes excerpts from an interview conducted on "TEAM Talk" with Joe O'Neill, Adam Diehl, and Andres Chavez. "TEAM Talk" airs Monday through Friday between 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM. Listen live at https://www.1017theteam.com/ or via their app on iPhone and Android devices. To listen to the full interview with Michael Sinclair, visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2024-nm-sports-hof-inductee-michael-sinclair-interview/id1533691091?i=1000714374648
