Michael Myers, one of Vicksburg’s best athletes

Hard-hitting defensive tackle Michael Myers will always be known as one of the greatest athletes from Vicksburg, and he fulfilled every young athlete’s dream of making it to the NFL.

Myers was a two sport athlete at Vicksburg High School where he graduated in 1994. He played football and basketball and was named to the All-State team in both sports.

In high school, Myers played football under former VHS head coach James Knox. He was a part of a unstoppable defense and only allowed 14 points per game in his 1992 junior season. The Gators finished with a 9-3 season that year, and they advanced to the first round of the playoffs.

By the time his 1993 senior season rolled around, Myers was at the top of his game, and helped lead the Gators to a 11-2 season. While starring on the defensive line, he helped VHS reach the second round of the playoffs and was the key defensive player, allowing only 10 points per game that season.

After his senior season, Myers received a scholarship offer from Ole Miss, but his low ACT score forced him to commit to Hinds Community College instead. He was an All American at Hinds in 1994 where racked up 46 tackles and 20 sacks in his freshman season.

After an impressive two seasons at Hinds, Myers transferred to the University of Alabama in 1996 to play for the Crimson Tide.

In his first season with Alabama, Myers had 66 tackles and 13 sacks, and he was mentioned to be a pre-season All American going into his senior year.

In the 1997 season opener against Vanderbilt, Myers had 5 tackles and a sack, but his college career took a hit after he was suspended for contacting a sports agent before his eligibility was over.

Myers entered the 1998 NFL Draft where he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round. He would spend the next five years with the Cowboys where he was an impact player.

Over the course of his 10-year NFL career, Myers would play for the Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Myers best NFL season was in 2001 where he recorded 72 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Cowboys. In 2008, he retired from the NFL after ten years with 259 tackles and 15.5 sacks.

In 2012, Myers returned to Hinds as a defensive line coach.

Today, Myers is a high school defensive lineman’s coach at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas. Coach Myers and his wife Brandy have two children, daughter Mykayla attends Washington State University and plays on the volleyball team, and son Braxton is a ninth grader at John Paul II.