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.
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
Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more
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.
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.
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.
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
Resilience Lessons From an NFL Player Who Turned Life into Magic
Resilience keynote speaker Jon Dorenbos shares how to turn adversity into action through mindset, forgiveness, and authentic leadership strategies.
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The Top 3 Keynote Speaker Trends That Will Define Your Events in 2026
2026 event planning starts now: discover the keynote speakers and themes that transform audiences through AI ethics, psychological safety, and leadership.
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How Pros Stay Steady To Engage & Interact With Their Event’s Audience
Stop second-guessing your audience's reactions. Learn how veteran emcee Scott Bloom reads rooms without losing confidence during live events.
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The One Life Question That Separates Victims From Victors
One powerful question changed how keynote speaker John O'Leary chose to live his life. Discover the victim-or-victor framework that works for any challenge.
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Insights from Ross Bernstein on What Champions Do When Nobody’s Watching
Learn how champions think differently and build winning habits that transform teams from talented to unstoppable with peak performance speaker Ross Bernstein.
Read More
7 Year-End Lessons From Keynote Speaker Every Event Planner Needs Before 2026
Learn 7 powerful year-end lessons from top keynote speakers to transform your event planning strategy and personal growth in 2026.
Read MoreRelated Leadership Speakers
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