Michael D. Attardi, Sr.

Class of 1985

Football

Inducted: 2001

Michael D. Attardi graduated Long Branch High School in 1985. Like his father, Michael is being acclaimed as an inductee in the Long Branch High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his skills in football. He was a place-kicker who achieved first team all B-North Division, second team all Monmouth County as well as All Shore and third team All State. In 1987, Michael received the Young Men’s of America Award and then received the LBJ Congressional scholarship in academics.

Michael signed professional football contract with the World League of American Football in 1990. Then signed with the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990-1991). Michael was placed on the developmental squad for two seasons with the LA Raiders (1991-1992). He is a member of the NFL alumni and the National Football League Players Association where he was Vice President of the New Jersey chapter 4 for years.

But, his enormous talents are not limited to only writing books or playing in the NFL. He is a multi-award-winning film-maker and musical composer. Michael won 96 film industry awards, which include: the Telly’s, the Accolade’s, the Aurora’s and Pixy Awards. He also walked the “Red Carpet” as first Runner-up at the Festival de Cannes in France. His off-Broadway show, “Twin Treasures” won three Perry Awards. Michael's new book, children's books and his musical soundtracks are on Amazon.com.

Another area of Michael's talents is in sports. He was an All-Shore and All-State Football player. During that time, he broke many high-school and college football records. He received a full Athletic/Academic scholarship to Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where he made the Dean’s academic list. He also received the LBJ Scholarship Award from the U.S. Congress for high academic and worked on Capitol Hill for two college semesters.

Michael was named to the All-PCAC and All-NJAC College football team honors. Michael's football playing continued after college. In 1991, he signed a contract with the National Football League. He played two seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders on their developmental team. Then he had tryouts with the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. Michael is currently a member of the NFL Players Association. He is also the former President of the NFL Alumni Central Florida Chapter. Michael was inducted into the Long Branch High School Athletic Hall of Fame and was named the NFL Community leader of the year by the NFL Players Association in 2005.

Michael has always done charitable good deeds. In 2016, he won the President’s Volunteer Silver Service Award by President Obama. Then in 2017, Michael was presented the President’s Volunteer Gold Service Award by President Trump. He is the only former NFL player to receive such an honor by two U.S. President’s.