Mike Haynes

Mike Haynes is recognized as one of the top cornerbacks in NFL history, known for a 14-season career that influenced the standard for defensive backs. At Arizona State, Haynes was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and a two-time All-America selection, intercepting 17 passes in four seasons, including a nation-leading 11 interceptions in his junior year. A three-year All-WAC player at Arizona State, Haynes was the New England Patriots' first selection in the NFL Draft, the fifth player and the first defensive back taken that year.

Haynes had a standout rookie season with the Patriots, recording eight interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and an AFC-leading 608 yards on 45 punt returns, including the Patriots' first-ever touchdowns on punt returns with 89-yard and 62-yard returns. Voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Haynes earned nine Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro honors, and six second-team All-Pro honors during his career. In seven years with the Patriots, he recorded 28 interceptions and 1,159 yards on 111 returns, averaging 10.4 yards per return. His technique, known as the belt buckle defense, focused on a receiver's midsection, making him difficult to beat in man-to-man coverage.

After joining the Los Angeles Raiders midseason, Haynes started in the Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII victory, recording one interception, two pass breakups, and one tackle. His partnership with Lester Hayes in the Raiders' secondary was recognized as one of the top cornerback duos in league history. In seven seasons with the Raiders, Haynes added 18 interceptions for a career total of 46, returned for 688 yards and two touchdowns, including a team-record 97-yard return against Miami. He was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Haynes was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Patriots Hall of Fame, and his number 40 was retired.

After retiring from football, Haynes became active in the business world, serving as the global licensing manager of Callaway Golf before joining the NFL as director of its player and employee development department, where he helped create and manage programs for rookies and recently retired football players. He also served as Special Advisor to the Commissioner of the NFL on player issues and is the president and founder of Mike Haynes & Associates, a consulting company focused on organizational culture and leadership.

Beyond his business career, Haynes has become a public advocate for men's health. After facing prostate cancer, he encouraged teammates and others to get screened, mentored fellow survivors, and has been cancer free for more than 15 years following a radical prostatectomy. Haynes has worked closely with the NFL and urologists nationwide as an ambassador for the Urology Care Foundation's "Know Your Stats" awareness campaign. He received the Gilda Radner Courage Award from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation for his advocacy on prostate health. Haynes has also pledged to donate his brain to the Concussion & CTE Foundation for research and has been an advocate for concussion and CTE awareness. His post-football life reflects the same discipline and leadership that defined his playing career.