Mike Caliendo

Mike Caliendo's Biography

Mike Caliendo, born on October 21, 1997, is an esteemed American professional football guard. He plays for one of the top National Football League (NFL) teams, the Kansas City Chiefs. Before launching his NFL career with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Caliendo was instrumental in football fields on and off the campus of Western Michigan University (WMU), earning accolades both athletically and academically.

Caliendo’s passion for football blossomed during his high school years at Brookfield East High School in Wisconsin. He affirmed his leadership by captaining the team in his senior year. His contributions didn’t go unnoticed as his impressive plays earned him titles such as the team’s most valuable player and Associated Press first-team all-state. His exemplary performance as an all-conference scholar-athlete saw him named the Greater Metro Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. ESPN recognized Caliendo’s three-star prospect status and ranked him eleventh-best in Wisconsin.

Determined to take his footballing skills and academic prowess to a higher level, Caliendo committed to Western Michigan University (WMU) in 2016. Having waited patiently, his debut in 2017 was worth it, participating in all twelve games, ten of which he started. His remarkable academic performance continued, and he bagged the academic all-conference distinction. Additionally, his playing time on the field was influential as WMU emerged as one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) across various categories.

Caliendo’s third football season in 2018 was another remarkable run. He started all 13 games and was pivotal in the success of WMU’s running game, which netted 32 touchdowns and maintained a 199.46 per-game rushing yards average. This impressive performance alongside other crucial statistics made WMU a strong contender in the MAC and nationally in critical game aspects.

In 2019, Caliendo’s sterling performance on the field and impressive grades saw him honored with several awards. Among them were second-team all-conference, academic all-conference, first-team CoSIDA academic all-district five, and a distinguished conference scholar-athlete. His significant role in the team made WMU a formidable force in the MAC and nationally, ranking high in offensive yards per game, third down conversion percentage, fewest lost fumbles, fewest total turnovers, and scoring points.

The COVID-19-shortened 2020 season didn’t deter Caliendo from shining brightly. He fortified his reputation as the team’s top run-blocker, showing competitive form in all games. He was decorated with honors, including the CoSIDA Academic All-American, All-District, Academic All-MAC, first-team All-MAC, and a MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

Turning down a chance to join the NFL and pursue a medical degree, Caliendo opted to remain with WMU in 2021. After starting every game for the 2021 season, his uncanny ability to adapt and deliver saw him help WMU claim seven victories out of twelve games. His pivotal role in the team’s strong finish earned him first-team all-conference recognition and landed him as a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, commonly referred to as the “Academic Heisman.”

Caliendo graduated from WMU in 2019 with a high GPA of 3.90 in biomedical studies. Recognizing his strong balance between academics and athletics, the National Football Foundation (NFF) held him in high esteem as a national scholar-athlete in 2021.

After his undrafted entry into the NFL in 2022, Caliendo got his big break when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him as a free-agent. Initially waived by the Chiefs, he made it to the practice squad the very next day. Caliendo then proved his worth in two consecutive Super Bowls, first in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles and then in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. He penned a reserve/future contract and re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs further fortifying his illustrious career.

Caliendo’s penchant for football stems from a significant influence by his uncles. Uncle Chris was a linebacker at Nebraska and bagged an honorable mention all-conference, while Uncle Cary was a first-team freshman All-America selection at Northern Illinois. These familial connections reveal that football prowess and passion run in the Caliendo family.