General
mike
What does mike mean?
Nickname for the middle linebacker, who often makes the defensive calls; the quarterback frequently 'points out the Mike' before the snap.
"The center identified the Mike so the line knew its protection assignments."
Origin
American football; 'Mike' from the 'M' in middle linebacker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mike in football?
The Mike is the middle linebacker, named for the 'M' in middle; he often makes the defensive calls and is the reference point for the offense's blocking scheme.
Why does the quarterback point out the Mike?
Identifying the Mike tells the offensive line who to base its pass-protection assignments around before the snap.
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