Mike Badgley

Mike Badgley's Biography

Born on July 28th, 1995, Michael Badgley had established his love for sports from a very tender age. Growing up in Summit, New Jersey, Michael was given the nickname “the Money Badger” because he had a knack for excelling in every sport he picked up. The energetic and sport-loving adolescent attended Summit High School, where he participated in various sports such as hockey, lacrosse, and football. In fact, such was his prowess in these games that he won at least one state championship in every sport he played throughout his high school career.

A notable moment in Badgley’s athletic high school years was consecutive group NJSIAA state lacrosse championships in 2010-2011, coupled with a NJSIAA state hockey championship at the Prudential Center in 2012. It is noteworthy to mention that initially, he planned to play collegiate lacrosse and follow his elder brother, Peter Badgley, into athletics before a coach magnanimously convinced him to focus on football which could take him to the Division I level.

At Summit High School, Badgley started on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball and successfully managed to return kicks, punts, and fill in at QB when injuries unfortunately sidelined the starting QB. He completed 18 out of 33 passes with a staggering 7 TD passes for 448 yards and overall, set 12 Summit HS football records.

Post his high school education, Badgley attended the Fork Union Military Academy’s post-graduate program in Virginia. Balancing academics with sports, he made it onto the Dean’s List, and his incredible performance saw him ranked as the No. 1 kicker in 247Sports Composite Rankings. The school’s legacy of producing former NFL players such as Vinny Testaverde and Eddie George assured Michael that he was on the right track.

Michael’s next move took him to the University of Miami where he played college football. Throughout his stint there as Miami Hurricanes’ starting kicker, he broke record after record, leaving his alma mater as the all-time leading scorer. Post-graduation, Michael was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, highlighting his exceptional talent to full light.

In 2018, despite not being selected in the NFL draft, Badgley was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. Despite being released before the start of the regular season, Michael showed promise by connecting on all 5 of his field goal attempts during the pre-season, highlighting his potential for a successful professional career.

His big break came when he was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers on October 11, 2018. Proving his mettle once again, Badgley not only made his mark in the regular season but also set Chargers franchise records in the postseason. By the end of the 2020 season, Michael had notched up a total of 238 points, making him the 19th leading scorer in the history of the Chargers franchise.

This was followed by a stint with the Tennessee Titans as a replacement for injured kicker Sam Ficken. However, he was waived shortly after and moved on to join the Colts practice squad again. Despite the sudden shifts, Michael continued to give it his all and was successful in making all of his kicks in Week 6.

In October 2022, Michael climbed another rung in his career ladder as he was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad before eventually moving to the Detroit Lions. As a Lion, he proved why he was known as “the Money Badger”, scoring 16 points on four extra points and four field goals in a single game. This feat led him to be named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week – a recognition every athlete strives for.

But life after that was a mixed bag of opportunities for Badgley. The next year saw him sign with the Washington Commanders, followed by a return to the Tennessee Titans, which turned out to be short-lived. He finally found a home back with the Lions towards the end of 2023, where he was elevated from the practice squad after the team’s existing kicker, Riley Patterson, faced problems.

In February 2024, he re-signed with the Lions but during July that year, Badgley unfortunately suffered a torn hamstring resulting in his placement on the injury reserve list for the entire 2024 season. Despite this setback, Badgley’s career continues to be marked by tenacity, determination, and an unyielding love for the game. His journey is a true dedication to the sport and is a clear testimony to his never-give-up attitude.