Mike Cawley
Encyclopedia
Mike Cawley is a former professional American
and Canadian football
quarterback
who played in the Canadian Football League
, NFL Europe
and the XFL
. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at James Madison
.
in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft
. He was signed to the team's practice squad on August 27, 1996.
on June 1, 1997. He played in eight games for the Ticats in , ranking third on the team with 181 yards rushing. He also threw for 547 yards on 43 of 79 passing attempts with five touchdowns and four interceptions. During the season, Cawley saw action in two games for Hamilton completing five of eight passes for 47 yards. He was released on October 19, 1998.
on October 2, 1999. He was released on October 16.
on September 20, 2000. He was released on
November 10.
in the XFL
supplemental draft on December 29, 2000. Cawley served as the backup quarterback, but because of injuries to starter Ryan Clement
, Cawley played several games as the Outlaws' starter. Cawley himself would end up injured, eventually ending his career.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and Canadian football
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
who played in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, NFL Europe
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
and the XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft
1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at James Madison
James Madison Dukes football
The James Madison Dukes football team, founded in 1972, plays at Bridgeforth Stadium. Originally called JMU Stadium, it was renamed for William E. Bridgeforth in 1990. The JMU football team was rarely the centerpiece of JMU sports until the hiring of Mickey Matthews in 1999...
.
Indianapolis Colts
Cawley was selected by the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft
1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
. He was signed to the team's practice squad on August 27, 1996.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Cawley was signed as a free agent by the Hamilton Tiger-CatsHamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
on June 1, 1997. He played in eight games for the Ticats in , ranking third on the team with 181 yards rushing. He also threw for 547 yards on 43 of 79 passing attempts with five touchdowns and four interceptions. During the season, Cawley saw action in two games for Hamilton completing five of eight passes for 47 yards. He was released on October 19, 1998.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Cawley was signed by Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
on October 2, 1999. He was released on October 16.
Buffalo Bills
Cawley was signed by the Bufallo Bills on February 17, 2000. He was released during final roster cuts on August 27.Calgary Stampeders
Cawley was signed by the Calgary StampedersCalgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
on September 20, 2000. He was released on
November 10.
Las Vegas Outlaws
Cawley was selected 13th overall by the Las Vegas OutlawsLas Vegas Outlaws
The Las Vegas Outlaws were an American football team in the short-lived XFL in the Western Division with the Los Angeles Xtreme, San Francisco Demons and Memphis Maniax...
in the XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
supplemental draft on December 29, 2000. Cawley served as the backup quarterback, but because of injuries to starter Ryan Clement
Ryan Clement
Ryan Clement is an American football quarterback currently playing for the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League. He played college for the Miami Hurricanes.-High school career:...
, Cawley played several games as the Outlaws' starter. Cawley himself would end up injured, eventually ending his career.