Mike Tatum

Mike Anthony Tatum (born April 29, 1986) is an indoor American football wide receiver for the Bismarck Bucks of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Oxnard College. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Marion Mayhem in 2009. He played with the Mayhem until their dimise during the 2010 season. Tatum then finished the 2010 season with the Fort Wayne FireHawks. Tatum then returned to Marion in 2011, when a new franchise called the Marion Blue Racers expanded into the CIFL. Tatum has also played for the Everett Raptors of the IFL. Tatum is known for his return capabilities, winning Special Teams Player of the Year in 2 different leagues.

Mike Tatum
No. 23 – Bismarck Bucks
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1986-04-29) April 29, 1986
Columbus, Ohio
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:165 lb (75 kg)
Career information
High school:Columbus (OH) Marion-Franklin
College:Oxnard
Undrafted:2008
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • 1st Team All-CIFL as a Kick Returner (2010)
  • 2× CIFL Special Teams Player of the Year (2010, 2011)
  • 1st Team All-IFL as a Kick Returner (2012)
  • IFL Special Teams Player of the Year (2012)
  • 4× United Bowl champion (2013–2016)
  • First Team All-CIFL as a Wide Receiver (2014)

Early life

Mike was a graduate of Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus, Ohio. He excelled in football, basketball and track & field.

College career

Later continued his academic and athletic abilities at Oxnard College in Oxnard, California.

Professional career

Marion Mayhem

In 2009, Tatum joined the Marion Mayhem as a wide receiver and return man. After a 61-57 comeback win over the Wheeling Wildcats, Tatum was named the CIFL Special Teams Player of the Week.[1] After 6 games with the Mayhem in 2010, the team folded for financial reasons. At the time Tatum was leading the Mayhem with 20 catches for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tatum also had 23 kickoff returns for 500 yards and 2 touchdowns.[2]

Fort Wayne FireHawks

After the season abruptly ended for the Mayhem, Tatum, as well as a few other Mayhem players, signed to play with the Fort Wayne Firehawks, also of the CIFL.[3] Tatum was able to return one missed field goal for a touchdown in the final game of the season against the Chicago Cardinals. In his two games for the FireHawks, he had 2 catches for 19 yards and a touchdown, as well as returning one kickoff for 21 yards.[4] For his efforts on the season, Tatum was rewarded with the CIFL's Special Teams Player of the Year award.[5]

Marion Blue Racers

In 2011, the city of Marion got a new indoor football team in the form of the Marion Blue Racers. Owned by former Pittsburgh Steeler, LaMonte Coleman, the team quickly gained momentum by signing Tatum and other great indoor football players. He was twice named the CIFL Special Teams Player of the Week. The team went on to a record 8-2 regular season, during which Tatum racked up 23 kickoff returns for 568 yards and 2 scores, and again won CIFL Special Teams Player of the Year honors. He led the Blue Racers with 26 catches for 310 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 2 touchdowns and threw for another.[6] Tatum re-signed with the Blue Racers for the 2012 season, as they transitioned into the UIFL.[7]

Everett Raptors

In 2012 Mike Tatum signed to play with Indoor Football League expansion team Everett Raptors. The team ultimately finished 5-9, Tatum was named IFL Special Teams Player Of The Week 2 times, including week 3[8] and week 12.[9] Playing in only 12 games, due to injury, he racked up 1015 kick return yards on 48 attempts, averaging 21.1 yds per return and also had 5 kickoffs returned for touchdowns.[10] He tied the record for the longest return at 48 yards. Tatum also had 23 receptions for 325 yards averaging 14.1 yds per game. His longest reception was 41 yards. He also had 5 receiving touchdowns. Tatum rushed for 28 yards and a score on 16 attempts. Tatum finished the season second in all purpose yards with 1478 and 11 total TDs[10] Tatum's efforts were good enough to earn him 2012 IFL Special Teams Player of The Year honors.[11]

Sioux Falls Storm

Tatum signed with the Sioux Falls Storm, also of the Indoor Football League, for the 2013 season.[12]

Marion Blue Racers

Tatum re-joined the Blue Racers for the 2014 season.

Sioux Fall Storm

After the Blue Racers season ended, Tatum re-joined the Storm. Tatum enjoyed a 2015 season that saw him finish 7th in the IFL in All-purpose yards. Tatum returned to the Storm for 2016.[13] On October 16, 2017, Tatum re-signed with the Storm.

Bismarck Bucks

On January 28, 2019, Tatum signed with the Bismarck Bucks.

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References
  1. "Tatum Named CIFL Special Teams Player of the Week". www.ciflfootball.com. Continental Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on 2012-03-28.
  2. "2010 Marion Mayhem stats". www.ciflfootball.com. Continental Indoor Football League. 2010.
  3. Reggie Hayes (June 18, 2010). "FireHawks have a tough playoff road ahead". www.fortwayne.com. Fort Wayne Newspapers. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012.
  4. 2010 Fort Wayne FireHawks stats
  5. 2010 CIFL Award Winners Archived 2012-03-28 at the Wayback Machine
  6. 2011 Marion Blue Racers stats Archived 2011-12-15 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Blue Racers Re-Sign Mike Tatum". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. September 14, 2012.
  8. "Dixon, Jackson and Tatum earn Week 3 Players of the Week Honors". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07.
  9. "Week 12 Players of the Week". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03.
  10. "2012 IFL Stats". www.pointstreak.com. IFL.
  11. "IFL Individual Awards Announced". www.goifl.com. Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  12. "Storm Sign 2012 Special Teams Player of the Year". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  13. "Storm Re-Sign Tatum For 2016 Season". www.kdlt.com. Red River Broadcast Co., LLC. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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