Ironman Insider: Mike Hold
Tom Goodhines
Friday April 14, 2000
But Hold`s long journey isn`t over.
The Houston Thunderbears game against the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday will mark the return of the 11-year veteran to the playing field after a stint in the television broadcast booth. The cagey veteran, who helped lift ESPN`s AFL broadcasts with his unique insight, still has the football bug. "I`m just not ready to call it quits yet," Hold said. "I think that I can still contribute to this team."
Hold grew up in Tempe, Arizona and graduated from the University of South Carolina where he threw touchdown passes to former NFL All-Pro Sterling Sharpe. One of Hold`s college highlights includes being named the Gator Bowl MVP in 1984, but the modest quarterback was quick to shy away from praise. "Sterling had a habit of making quarterbacks look good," Hold said. "I was just happy to be competing at that level."
Following his college career, Hold signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos and was able to live a dream held by many - by playing side-by-side with John Elway. "It was unbelievable," Hold said of the experience. "It really hit me when I was in meetings with Elway, Dan Reeves, Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan. Elway is the reason why I wear No. 7. He is somebody that I [admire and have] a lot of respect for."
Hold`s football career took a different turn when the Broncos released him in 1986. A call from a family friend led Hold to Arena Football.
The family friend was AFL Hall of Fame coach Tim Marcum. Marcum`s wife and Mike`s mother are friends, so Marcum asked Mike if he`d be interested in a new league called "Arena Football." And the rest is history.
In 1987, he suited up for the Chicago Bruisers where his backup was current Giants Offensive Coordinator Sean Payton. Following the `87 season, Hold played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the strike and was later signed to their practice squad through 1988. But, Mike returned to the AFL in 1989 after being released by Tampa Bay.
For the next 10 years, Mike`s journey through the AFL would contain many highs and lows. Mike experienced everything from leading his team to playoff appearances to blowing out his knee in 1996.
But, Mike has always managed to bounce back.
He has a trait that is only found in a select few. Players like Elway, Dan Marino, and Walter Payton all had it - that trait is being "tough-nosed."
"He`s a real pain for defenses," said 10-year AFL quarterback and future Hall of Famer Ben Bennett. "Mike and [Hall of Fame quarterback and current Orlando coach] Jay Gruden are the same type of quarterback. They would get the crap kicked out of them on one play and come back to throw a touchdown the next. It was very frustrating."
Versatile is also a word that comes to mind when thinking about Hold. In his AFL career, he has logged time at quarterback, holder, wide receiver, linebacker, fullback, kick returner and kicker. Looking at highlights from his 1998 season serves as a good indicator of what Hold will do for his team.
Against Iowa he completed five-of-12 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Versus Florida, he returned a kick 21 yards and made two tackles. Against Grand Rapids, he replaced kicker Rich Fall who broke his wrist and connected on 7-of-11 extra-point attempts while completing nine-of-10 passes for 95 yards and two TDs. Hold attempted a drop kick at Milwaukee and the topper of them all - he provided color commentary from the bench for a televised game at Iowa.
The man can do everything!
Mike began to think of his life after football and decided take a step into television when he landed a job with ESPN - but now finds himself under center once again.
"I really didn`t miss it [too much] last year because I was still around the game," Hold said. "But there was something still missing. I still have the drive to compete and Houston was where I wanted to be."
When Mike looked to make his return to the playing field in 2000, he didn`t expect the latest twist. Last year`s starter, Clint Dolezel was signed by the Chicago Bears in March - putting Mike at the top of the depth chart for the Thunderbears.
"There`s no question that Mike can do the job," Dolezel said. "Nobody knows this game better than Mike. He has more years in this league than anybody - including coaches. He also has the ability to explain to players where they are supposed to be on different plays. He not only knows his position, but he knows where everyone should be. He`s a real student of the game and that will help him if he decides to go into coaching."
Houston had five receivers with 50 or more receptions in 1999 and that has Mike excited about his return in 2000.
"All I have to do is get the ball to these guys," Hold said of his talented core of receivers. "I have confidence and [Houston coach] Steve [Thonn] has confidence in me. I don`t think I would have come back to the playing field in any other situation."
"I have no doubt that Mike can come in here and do some of the same things that Clint did," Thonn said. "He was Clint`s backup and he knows the offense. It`s like having another coach on the field. Naming Mike as the starter was really a no-brainer."
The journey has been long, but Mike is enjoying it.
"I have never been more excited entering a season," Hold said. "I have never started on a legitimate contender. We have a chance to win it all - there is no doubt in my mind."
Hold added that a lot of people don`t have the opportunity to play professional football and he`s just glad to have the chance to perform. "I never dreamed that I would still be playing this long," Hold said. "And if things go well - maybe I`ll be around for a couple more years."
Let`s hope so.
MOST FEARED OPPONENT
"[Tampa Bay`s] Keith Browner is a guy that I still feel some of the affects of his hits. [Detroit`s] Alvin Rettig is another guy who was very good and who always played the game all out. He always gave 110 percent."
TOP PLAYERS OF TODAY
"As a quarterback, you tend to notice linemen the most. James Baron is an unbelievable player. He can control a game and for a lineman - that`s not always easy to do."
PLAYER ENJOYED PLAYING WITH
"Hunkie Cooper is a true professional. He made it fun in the locker room and on the field. He is both a vocal leader and a leader by example. He`s very business-like and always gave everything he had each time out on the field."
ENJOYED WATCHING
"Barry Wagner and George LaFrance. Barry is just amazing to watch. The way he can put a team on his back and lead them to victory is truly amazing.
"George is still going. He knows how to play the game and he`s still one of the top in kick returners in the game. His work ethic - day-in and day-out - is unique. He knows how to get the job done and he is still a star in this league."
Tom Goodhines was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
