A Bit About Me
From the very start, Mike Bass exhibited the leadership and role model traits of a first-born child. Born March 31, 1945, in Ypsilanti, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, to Thomas and Louise Bass, Mike made quite a name for himself in a family that already was blessed with great gifts and skills.
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As the son of a medical doctor (Thomas ) and a teacher (Louise), Mike set an example of excellence for his two younger sisters, Leah and Ann, by distinguishing himself in the classroom and on the athletic fields. While at Ypsilanti High School, Mike was a three-sport athlete, earning honors in football, basketball, and track and field. But, it was football that led him to his destiny.
The recipient of a scholarship in 1963 to longtime football power University of Michigan, Mike played on the winning team in the 1965 Rose Bowl. A major in Psychology, he graduated two years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.
"Lombardi said, 'Act like you've been there before' always kept me from embarrassing another player as a result of something I had done. Those that I played against were pros, and where respect is received, it should be given, which would not let me be demonstrative because of my success or his failure." ..... Mike Bass
#41 NFL Statistics
GAMES PLAYED
104
GAMES STARTED
104
INTERCEPTIONS
30
YARDS
478
KICK RETURNS
8
KICK RETURNED YARDS
LONGEST INT RETURN
68
FUMBLES RECOVERED
6
TOUCHDOWNS
6
105
career
1945
Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan March 31, 1945
1963-1967
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Arts in Education,
Psychology Major
1965
Rose Bowl
1967
Packers 12th round draft pick
Starts Pro career as a Packer then sold to Detroit the same year.
1969
Signed with Redskins and Coach Vince Lombardi
Starts Pro career as a Packer then sold to Detroit the same year.
1967
College All-Star
1968
Activated from Lion cab Squad
On Detroit Cab Squad
1971
8 Interceptions,
second best in the NFC and
tied for 3rd in the NFL.
1972
Super Bowl VII Touchdown
Scored the first Redskin touchdown in a Super Bowl when he recovered a fumble by Miami Dolphin kicker, Garo Yepremian and returned it for a 49-yard touchdown
1972
Returned blocked goal for a Touchdown
Returned a blocked field goal 32 yards for a Touchdown against the St. Louis Cardinals on a Jim Bakken field goal attempt
1974
Best Season in Pro-Football
Returned an interception for a touchdown against the Giants and being named to the All NFC Ist team by the Associated Press, UPI, and Sporting News and named to the AIl-NFL 2nd team by the Associated Press.
1973
5 Interceptions, 3rd most in the NFC
1976
Retires from Pro-Football
Mike Bass retired from the Washington Football Team during the 1976 training camp, having been the starting right corner back since 1969 when Vince Lombardi inserted him in the line-up. During his career, he played 104 consecutive games, gave up only 8 touchdown passes, scored 6 touchdowns (4 by interceptions), and was considered one of the smartest cornerbacks in the NFL. Apparently, Vince Lombardi saw something in Mike Bass that the Detroit Lions just couldn't see.
1976-1997
Mike In The Bahamas
Retired from pro football, Mike leaves the US and spends time in Freeport, Bahamas, where he operates hotels & coaches American football.
1997
Mike returns to the US
2002
One Of The Greats
Mike is selected as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of all time
2022