If you are a fan of the NFL, you might have wondered if the Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary is related to the legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary. After all, they share the same last name, play in the same league, and have similar physical traits. However, the truth is that they are not related by blood, but by football.
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Devin Singletary: The Motor of the Bills Offense
Devin Singletary, nicknamed “Motor”, is a 25-year-old running back who plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Bills in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, after a stellar college career at Florida Atlantic University. He led all Division I FBS players with 32 rushing touchdowns, 33 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns, and 198 points scored in 2017, and finished with 1,920 rushing yards. He also set the Florida Atlantic single-season record for rushing yardage .
Singletary joined a backfield with veterans LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, and T. J. Yeldon, but earned a prominent role with the Bills after McCoy was released as part of final preseason cuts . He has since become one of the most dynamic and elusive runners in the league, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and scoring 16 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons. He also has 145 receptions for 971 yards and four receiving touchdowns in his career .
Singletary became the first Bills player this season to hit triple-digit rushing yardage in a game this season; his first 100-plus yard effort since Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. He has logged double-digit carries in six of his last seven games .
Mike Singletary: The Samurai of the Bears Defense
Mike Singletary, also known by his nickname “Samurai Mike”, is a 64-year-old former middle linebacker who played for the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1992. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft, after a dominant college career at Baylor University. He averaged 15 tackles a game and was consensus All-American and Southwest Conference Player of the Year in both 1979 and 1980. He also won the Davey O’Brien Memorial Trophy twice as the best player in Texas.
Singletary established himself as one of the greatest defensive players of all time, as well as one of the most durable and consistent. He played nearly every down and missed only two games in his 12-year career. He was known as “The Heart of the Defense” for the Chicago Bears’ Monsters of the Midway in the mid-1980s. He was part of their Super Bowl XX championship team that beat the New England Patriots.
Singletary was a ten-time Pro Bowler, a seven-time first-team All-Pro, and a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named NFL Man of the Year in 1990 for his off-field contributions. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
The Football Connection Between Devin and Mike Singletary
Although Devin and Mike Singletary are not biologically related, they do share a connection through football. According to ESPN, Devin grew up idolizing Mike and wore his No. 50 jersey as a kid. He also studied Mike’s film and tried to emulate his intensity and passion on the field.
Devin said that he met Mike for the first time at a football camp when he was in high school. He said that Mike gave him some advice and encouragement that he still remembers to this day.
“He told me to always play with heart,” Devin said. “He told me to always give it everything I’ve got, no matter what.”
Devin also said that he considers Mike as a mentor and a role model, and that he hopes to make him proud with his performance.
“I look up to him a lot,” Devin said. “He’s somebody that I want to be like, not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
Mike said that he is impressed by Devin’s talent and character, and that he sees some similarities between them.
“He’s got a lot of heart,” Mike said. “He’s got a lot of determination. He’s got a lot of drive. He’s got a lot of things that I had when I played.”
Mike also said that he is honored by Devin’s admiration and respect, and that he wishes him all the best in his career.
“It’s very humbling,” Mike said. “It’s very flattering. It’s very rewarding. I’m very proud of him.”
Conclusion: Devin and Mike Singletary are Not Related, But They are Connected
Devin and Mike Singletary are not related by blood, but they are connected by football. They both have the same last name, play in the same league, and have similar physical traits. They also have a mutual admiration and respect for each other, and share a passion and a heart for the game. They are both examples of excellence and leadership in their respective positions, and they are both inspirations for the next generation of football players.