Mike’s Story · The feature
From Ypsilanti to Washington
Mike Bass grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he became a three-sport athlete. At the University of Michigan he helped win the 1965 Rose Bowl, then spent seven seasons as Washington’s starting right cornerback under Vince Lombardi and George Allen.
Right cornerback
Washington, 1969 to 1975
Before the pros
The first-born who set the example.
Mike was born March 31, 1945, in Ypsilanti, a suburb of Detroit, the first child of a physician and a teacher. He set the pace for his two younger sisters, in the classroom and on the athletic fields, and at Ypsilanti High School he earned honors in football, basketball and track and field. Football was the one that led him on.
A scholarship took him to the University of Michigan in 1963. He played on the team that won the 1965 Rose Bowl, majored in Psychology, and graduated two years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.
Packers, Lions, then Washington
Lombardi saw what Detroit couldn’t.
The Packers took Mike in the 12th round in 1967 and sold him to Detroit the same year. In 1968 he was on the Lions’ taxi squad. In 1969 he signed with Washington and Vince Lombardi, and he started at right cornerback from that season until he retired during 1976 training camp.
Lombardi’s time in Washington was brief. George Allen’s years made Mike a cornerstone of the defense. “Mike credits Coach Allen with giving him the knowledge and experience to become the consummate pro on defensive football and the cornerback position.”
Read: playing for Lombardi and AllenWhat Vince Lombardi taught him
Preparation, accountability and respect.
“Act like you've been there before.”
“Lombardi said, 'Act like you've been there before' always kept me from embarrassing another player as a result of something I had done. Those that I played against were pros, and where respect is received, it should be given, which would not let me be demonstrative because of my success or his failure.”
The career box score
Interceptions, all as a Washington cornerback
Mike finished with 30 interceptions and 478 yards returning them, with a longest return of 68. He played 104 consecutive games and started every one, and over his career gave up only eight touchdown passes. He is considered one of the smartest cornerbacks in the NFL.
- Interception return yards
- 478
- Longest interception return
- 68
- Fumble recoveries
- 6
- Games played
- 104
- Games started
- 104
- Kick returns
- 8
Career totals as published on Mike’s own pages.
The timeline
One career, in order.
1965
Rose Bowl champion
A member of Michigan’s winning Rose Bowl team.
1969
Washington
Joined Vince Lombardi in Washington and became the starting right cornerback. After Lombardi, the starting job carried on through George Allen’s years until 1975.
1971
Eight Interceptions
Led Washington with eight picks, among the NFL leaders that season.
The 1972 season · Super Bowl VII · January 14, 1973
The 49-yard return.
Washington trailed Miami 14-0 when a field-goal attempt was blocked. Miami kicker Garo Yepremian tried to throw the loose ball, and Mike Bass caught it and ran 49 yards for the touchdown. It came with 2:07 left, it was Washington’s only touchdown of the game, and the final score was Washington 7, Miami 14.
It was the franchise’s first Super Bowl, after an 11-3 season and playoff wins over Green Bay and Dallas.
After the 1972 run
The honors that followed.
1974
The All-Pro season
Named All-NFC first team and AP All-NFL second team, Mike’s strongest professional season.
2002
70 Greatest Redskins
2022
Washington Ring of Fame
Inducted at the 2022 season opener at FedExField, September 11, 2022. Inside the induction
Years of football in Freeport
1979 to 1997 · Gainesville since 1997
Coach Bass, then home in Florida.
Football did not end in 1976. From 1979 to 1997 Mike coached American football in Freeport, Grand Bahama, first with the 8-Mile Rock Crushers and later with the Guinness Titans. He returned to the United States in 1997 and has lived in Gainesville, Florida ever since, married to his wife, Rosita.
Keep the story close
Put the play on your wall.
Mike signs 8x10 photos, cards, career videos and footballs, and books personal videos, Zoom calls and appearances from Gainesville.