Biography

Mike Singletary is perhaps most recognized as one of the Chicago Bears’ toughest middle linebackers with the ferocious eyes peering across the line into the opposing quarterback’s face. He was a member of the famed ‘85 Super Bowl team and made 10 trips to the Pro Bowl in his 12 years as a player. He also led the NFL as Defensive Player of the Year three times and was the Bears’ team captain for ten years.

Since retiring from football in 1993, he spent ten years as a motivational speaker and corporate consultant, helping companies elevate their strategies for teamwork and overall success.

However, in 2003, after swearing off many previous requests to coach, he answered the call and became the Linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens. He followed that up with a move to San Francisco, ultimately being named Head Coach for two years, and then spent three years with the Minnesota Vikings.

For the 2014 NFL season, he was named Defensive Consultant to the Executive Vice President of Football Operations, with the intention of learning the inner workings of the NFL at the corporate level to gain a better understanding of the product on the field. In 2016, he was back on the sidelines with the Los Angeles Rams until their staff was released at the end of the season.

Mike Singletary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 after a stellar career with the Chicago Bears from 1981-92. He boasted 1,488 career tackles (885 solo), finishing as the Bears’ first or second-leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. Mike Singletary was named to the NFL Team of the ’80s after being selected to play in a team-record 10 consecutive Pro Bowls. The former Bears defensive captain was also named All-Pro ten times (1983-1992). He also started a defensive team record 172 games for the Bears, trailing only running back Walter Payton’s 184 career starts for the all-time team lead.

In 2001, as a player, Mike Singletary won the NFL’s “Man of the Year Award” based on his reputation for integrity and leadership within his profession and contributions benefiting his community, country, and fellow man. He also co-founded Leadership Zone, a company that provides leadership training.

Mike Singletary was drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Baylor University. In addition to his coaching duties, Singletary has authored three books: Singletary One on One, Calling the Shots, and Daddy’s Home at Last. Singletary and his wife, Kim, have seven children and thirteen grandchildren.

Since his coaching career ended, Mike has partnered with National Child ID, an organization that seeks to provide the parents of all school-age children with their kids’ identifying information to help circumvent tragic outcomes.

He is also active on the speaker circuit, sharing his proven strategies for leaders to maximize their organizational potential. Most currently, he is committed to raising the quality of life for several large cities’ underserved and underprivileged communities, emphasizing education, health care, and employment opportunities through his nonprofit organization Changing Our Perspective.

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Videos

Mike Singletary Talks Leadership at the 2017 NITL Summit

Mike Singletary speaks to banquet

Mike Singletary at Charlotte Touchdown Club Luncheon - June 18th, 2021

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Leadership

Mike is able to address leadership from many angles ~ as a leader of one of the most iconic teams in NFL history, he can speak to peer-led leadership. As an NFL coach, he can speak to how to get the most out of teams you’re entrusted to lead. And as a current businessman and owner of a 501(c)3, Mike can speak to how to motivate and lead this current tech savvy generation with dynamic principles applicable to all.

Components of Success

Mike is in the process of writing and publishing a new book called “Navigating the 7 C’s of Success” which outlines seven attributes and interpersonal skills in a step-by-step format to identify and uproot barriers to operating at our highest potential.

Adversity

How to forge ahead when the best-laid plans fail. Great leaders must find the formula to lead during uncertain and tumultuous times, whether they are due to external or internal circumstances.

Reformation of Impoverished Communities: What to do and what not to do

Mike has a personal passion to see the underserved communities transformed by providing opportunities and bringing a halt to the brokenness of the current educational and vocational system. He speaks on ways to truly empower the disenfranchised that will create sustainable improvements.

Blog Posts

Events Under Pressure: How One Planner Won an Emmy with Six Days Notice

Discover how Emmy-winning event planner Gabriella Robuccio conquered live events with just six days' notice using boundaries and vulnerability.

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Why Relatable Leaders Build Stronger Teams (And How You Can Become One)

Discover engagement strategies fom expert Rachel DeAlto on how leaders can become more relatable and transform their workforce for the better.

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Why Top Event Planners Are Booking Storytellers (You Should Too)

Discover why storytellers create lasting impact at events through wonder, not just applause—transform your audience experience today.

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AI Networking Strategies That Actually Work in 2025 with Marketing Legend Seth Godin

Learn AI networking secrets from marketing expert Seth Godin on building peer circles that outperform traditional expert models.

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Negotiation Questions Every Event Professional Should Ask Before Walking Into Any Deal

Master negotiation questions with keynote speaker Alexandra Carter that transform anxiety into confidence whenever you're seeking better deals.

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Limits Become Leverage When You Change Your Story with Torsten Gross

Transform your limits into leverage with insights from quadriplegic race car driver Torsten Gross on resilience and redefining possible.

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