Mike Cawley

Mike Cawley
No. 5, 10, 12, 14
PositionQuarterback
Personal information
Born (1972-08-28) August 28, 1972
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
CollegeSyracuse (1991–1992)
James Madison (1993–1995)
NFL draft1996: 6th round, 205th overall pick
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Career CFL statistics
Pass attempts116
Pass completions61
Passing yards762
Percentage52.5
TD–INT6–6

Michael Rodney Cawley (born August 28, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL), NFL Europe and the XFL. He played college football for the James Madison Dukes. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL draft.

College career

Cawley began his collegiate career at Syracuse University, redshirting in 1991 and seeing limited action as a redshirt freshman in 1992. When the NCAA implemented a rule allowing players to transfer from Division I-A to Division I-AA without sitting out a year, Cawley took advantage of the opportunity and transferred to James Madison University ahead of the 1993 season.[1]

He began the 1993 season as a backup to Gary Lyons but quickly claimed the starting quarterback role after the second game.[2] Cawley finished the year with over 2,000 yards of total offense and 20 touchdowns. In 1994, he returned as the Dukes’ starter, leading James Madison to a 10–3 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the I-AA playoffs. That season, Cawley threw for 2,035 yards and 11 passing touchdowns while rushing for 589 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned third-team All-Yankee Conference honors that season. During his senior season, Cawley guided the Dukes to an 8–4 record and another I-AA playoff berth, throwing for 2,459 yards and 17 touchdowns and adding four rushing touchdowns. He engineered four consecutive fourth-quarter comebacks, helping James Madison achieve a top-ten national ranking.[3] He was named second-team All-Yankee Conference in 1995.

Over his career at James Madison, Cawley set 17 school passing records. Cawley was inducted into the James Madison University Hall of Fame in 2011.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Cawley was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft.[4] He was signed to the team's practice squad on August 27, 1996.[5] He was released shortly afterward, on September 11, 1996.

Atlanta Falcons

Cawley later spent seven weeks on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad during the 1996 season.[6][7]

Detroit Lions

Cawley signed with the Detroit Lions on March 4, 1997. He was released on March 25, and the team signed quarterback Matt Blundin two days later.[8]

Orlando Predators

Cawley signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL) for the 1997 season but was placed on the exempt list after signing with the Tiger-Cats.[9][10] On March 21, 2000, his AFL rights were traded to the Florida Bobcats for Braniff Bonaventure.[11]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Cawley was signed as a free agent by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 1, 1997. He played in eight games for the Ticats in 1997, ranking third on the team with 181 rushing yards. He also threw for 547 yards on 43 of 79 passing attempts, with five touchdowns and four interceptions. During the 1998 season, Cawley saw action in two games, completing five of eight passes for 47 yards. He was released on October 19, 1998.[12]

Buffalo Bills / Amsterdam Admirals

On January 20, 1999, Cawley signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe. He began the season as a backup to Dan Gonzalez, but started in Week 4, where he played well and was named Offensive Player of the Week.[13] On the season, he completed 78 of 132 passes for 732 yards and six touchdowns with one interception, while also adding 44 rushing yards and one touchdown.[14] His season was cut short due to a wrist injury. After returning to the United States, he appeared in preseason games for the Bills but was released prior to the regular season.[15]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On October 2, 1999, Cawley signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He appeared in two games, completing five of eight passes for 31 yards with two interceptions, before being released on October 16, 1999.

Buffalo Bills (second stint)

Cawley was signed by the Buffalo Bills on February 17, 2000. He was released during final roster cuts on August 27, 2000.[16]

Calgary Stampeders

Cawley was signed by the Calgary Stampeders on September 20, 2000.[17] He dressed for seven games, completing 8 of 21 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown, before being released on November 10, 2000.

Las Vegas Outlaws

Cawley was selected 13th overall by the Las Vegas Outlaws in the XFL supplemental draft on December 29, 2000.[18] The Outlaws’ number one draft pick, Chuck Clements, missed the season due to injury. When Ryan Clement was named the starter, Cawley moved up to primary backup.[19] Despite not playing in week 1, and Jim Ballard taking the final snaps, Cawley made his Outlaws debut the following week when Clement went down with a shoulder injury against the Memphis Maniax. He struggled, completing 3 of 13 passes for 51 yards, but had a key 26-yard completion to wide receiver Nakia Jenkins to set up a touchdown and also ran for an extra point conversion in the 25–3 victory.[20] Cawley made his first start the following week against future XFL champions Los Angeles Xtreme. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 166 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, and led the team with 34 rushing yards. He threw an interception that led to the game-winning field goal in a 12–9 loss. Following the game, Cawley was released in favor of Mark Grieb.[21]

Quad City Steamwheelers

Cawley joined the Quad City Steamwheelers of af2 midway through the 2001 season and started all seven of the team’s remaining games.[22] During that stretch, he completed 143 of 262 passes for 1,827 yards, throwing 39 touchdowns against eight interceptions, while also rushing for seven scores.[23] He made his first start against the Memphis Xplorers, passing for 258 yards with four touchdowns and adding two rushing touchdowns.[24] Over his seven starts, Cawley led the Steamwheelers to a 5–2 record, helping the team finish the season strongly.

Buffalo Destroyers

On December 5, 2002, Cawley signed with the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League.[25] He was released prior to the start of the season on January 22, 2003.[26]

La Crosse Night Train

On May 21, 2003, Cawley signed with the La Crosse Night Train of the National Indoor Football League.[27] He appeared in one game for the Night Train before being released; his only appearance came against the Fort Wayne Freedom.[28]

Career statistics

Professional

CFL

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GDGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
1997HAM 831–2437954.45476.95476.3201819.00
1998HAM 160—5862.5475.90078.62105.01
1999SSK 20—5862.5313.90230.7000.00
2000CGY 70—82138.11376.51076.94112.80
Career3331–26111652.67626.66669.0262027.81

XFL

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGS RecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2001LV 210–1173844.71804.71245.98415.10
Career21 0–1173844.71804.71245.98415.10

AF2

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGS RecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2002QC 775–214326254.61,8277.0398101.129662.37
Career775–214326254.61,8277.0398101.129662.37

Source: [29]

NIFL

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGS RecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2003LaC 10—2922.2171.9020.0177.00
Career100–02922.2171.9020.0177.00

Source:[30]

College

Season Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
1991Syracuse 00—Redshirted Redshirt
1992Syracuse 10—Did not record passing statistics1–2–2.00
1993James Madison 1095–413123954.81,9888.31411134.8?108?6
1994James Madison 131310–315226357.82,0357.7118130.5?589?12
1995James Madison 12128–419636154.32,4596.81711121.099700.74
Career363423–1147986355.56,4827.54230127.7?765?22

Sources:[31][32][33]

Personal life

Cawley is married to Katie Schumacher-Cawley, the head volleyball coach at Penn State. Together, they have three daughters.[34]

References

  1. ↑ Doughty, Doug (October 14, 1993). "New Rule Pays Off for JMU". Roanoke Times. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Late UR Score Dooms JMU". The Daily News Leader. September 12, 1993. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "No Miracles This Time: Blue Hens Mash Dukes". Richmond Times-Dispatch. October 22, 1995. Retrieved February 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 28, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Atlanta Falcons Media Guide 1997 – p. 184" (PDF). RetroSeasons Sports Library. Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Buffalo Bills Media Guide 2000 – p. 45". RetroSeasons Sports Library. Buffalo Bills. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  8. ↑ 1997 Detroit Lions Media Guide. Detroit Lions. 1997. p. 143. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  9. ↑ "PRED GOES A LONG WAY TO LIVE UP TO HIS NAME". orlandosentinel.com/. June 21, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  10. ↑ "PREDATORS STICK WITH ROOKIE". orlandosentinel.com. May 28, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 20, 1998. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Gonzalez Aims to Pass Test". Sun Sentinel. July 16, 1999. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Amsterdam Admirals 1999 Stats". TheFootballDB.com. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Transactions". Hartford Courant. August 31, 1999. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 28, 2000. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Stamps cut Kopp, keep Cawley". CBC. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  18. ↑ "XFL completes supplemental draft". OurSports Central. December 29, 2000. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Outlaws Quarterbacks". All-XFL.com Press Row Archive. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Las Vegas Outlaws Boxscore, Week 2 vs. Memphis Maniax". All-XFL.com. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  21. ↑ "QB Mark Grieb added to Outlaws roster". All-XFL.com. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Quarterback Cawley added to Steamwheelers' roster (Archive)". Steamwheelers.com (archived). Quad City Steamwheelers. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ "2001 Quad City Steamwheelers team stats". ArenaFootball.com af2 (archived). Arena Football League. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Quad City Steamwheelers press release". ArenaFootball.com af2. Arena Football League. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  25. ↑ "11 players sign with the Destroyers". OurSports Central. November 26, 2002. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Buffalo Destroyers Team Transactions". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Two New Quarterbacks Highlight New Night Train Additions". OurSports Central. May 21, 2003. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Omaha Beef vs. Fort Wayne Freedom, June 6, 2003". Indoor Football Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  29. ↑ "AF2 Team Stats – 2002". Web Archive (Wayback Machine). arenafootball.com (archived). Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  30. ↑ "NIFL 2003 Statistics LaCrosse Night Train". Wayback Machine. National Indoor Football League. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Football Historical Statistics". James Madison University Athletics. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Mike Cawley". James Madison University Athletics. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Mike Cawley College Stats". Sports-Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Katie Schumacher-Cawley - Penn State Athletics Bio".
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