Mike Fanning obit

Tulsa born NFL veteran, TU athletics employee passes at age 69

 

He was not on the list.

Mike Fanning, a 14-year member of The University of Tulsa athletic department and 10-year NFL player, passed away on Sunday at the age of 69.

His family announced his passing on October 30. Fanning was survived by his son and two daughters.

Fanning was born in Tulsa and became an All-State wrestler and football player at Edison High School.

While playing at the University of Notre Dame, he was a 1974 All-American first-team selection by the Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, NEA, and Time, as well as a second-team selection by the Associated Press.

Fanning played alongside Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger whose story was made into a Hollywood film.

The team ranked second in the nation in total defense in 1973 and claimed a National Championship with an 11-0 record.

In 1974, the defense ranked first in the nation and ranked sixth by the Associated Press in their final poll.

Fanning was drafted in the first round, the ninth overall selection in 1975 by the Los Angeles Rams.

He took over as starting left defensive tackle in 1979 and had eight sacks that year, followed by ten sacks the next.

He led the rams in sacks in the 1982 season and started Super Bowl XIV.

Fanning was traded to the Detroit Lions where he played one season and was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 1984.

In 10 years Fanning played 137 games with 42.5 sacks.

In 2009, Fanning joined the TU family where he initially worked with group ticket sales.

Since 2013, he has served as the special assistant for administration and operations.

“We are saddened by the news of Mike’s passing,” said Vice President & Director of Athletics Rick Dickson. “He was a tremendous football player at Notre Dame and in the NFL and carried that competitiveness and work ethic into everyday life. He was such a likeable person who worked to help TU athletics achieve success.”

At the time of his death, Fanning was working in TU's athletic department.

Fanning was the ninth pick to the Los Angeles Rams in 1975, where he spent eight of his 10 NFL seasons – he also spent a season in both Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.

He was named to the All-Rookie team despite an injury forcing him to miss six games – he did, however, help the Rams to the NFC Championship Game that season, and made it to Super Bowl XIV four seasons later.

Fanning shared a defensive line with Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood, who spoke on his death.

"Mike was my wing man in Battle, God Bless you My Brother!!!" he tweeted late Monday night.