Mike Kirkland was a multi-sport athlete from Pasadena High School who made it to the NFL. At age 13, he won the national Punt, Pass & Kick competition. In high school, he quarterbacked the Eagles to a district title. At the University of Arkansas, he played quarterback, kicker, and punter, including a memorable game-tying rally from a 17-0 deficit against SMU. After college, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, where he played for three seasons and was utilized as a quarterback and punter. Kirkland was inducted into the Pasadena ISD Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.