March 20, 2002
Former Arizona State All-American MIKE HAYNES, a 14-year NFL cornerback and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been named NFL Vice President of Player and Employee Development, Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE announced today.
Haynes will report to HAROLD HENDERSON, executive vice president of labor relations and chairman of the NFL Management Council, and replaces LEM BURNHAM, who recently resigned to become a coach.
In 1997, Mike Haynes became the third ASU player elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He joined John Henry Johnson and Charley Taylor in the Hall. He became the second Sun Devil inducted into College Football's Hall of Fame in December of 2000 and also had his No. 40 retired at the Nov. 4, 2000, ASU vs. USC football game.
In his four seasons on the collegiate gridiron, Haynes was a two-time All-American and three-time all-Western Athletic Conference selection. He led the nation by picking off 11 passes his junior year, second-best all-time at ASU. In 1975, Haynes' senior season, ASU enjoyed its most successful season in school history, going 12-0 and finishing second in the wire service polls.
Haynes snared 17 career interceptions, also second-best all-time at ASU. He was also an exceptional kick returner, fielding a school-record 46 punts in 1974 and scoring twice off punt returns in 1975.
Haynes will head up the NFL Player Development department, which oversees programs designed to help players in their off-field lives. Included are programs in career internships, financial education and management, continuing education, and personal assistance.
"We are very pleased that a former NFL player is joining us at the executive level," Commissioner Tagliabue said. "Mike Haynes brings the energy, focus, and determination of a Hall of Famer to our office. He is a great addition to our staff."
Haynes comes to the NFL from the Callaway Golf Company. He was global licensing manager from 1994-2000 and vice president of recreational golf development from 2001 to the present.
"Mike Haynes brings an invaluable combination of business and NFL playing experience to his new position," said Henderson. "He has a broad corporate managerial and administrative background. His Hall of Fame career provides him with an understanding of the pressures and needs of today's NFL player."
Haynes, a first-round draft choice of the New England Patriots in 1976, was voted the NFL defensive rookie of the year and earned the first of nine Pro Bowl selections. In seven years with the Patriots, he recorded 28 interceptions.
He finished his career with the Los Angeles Raiders from 1983-89, posting 18 interceptions, and helped them to a Super Bowl XVIII victory with an interception.