Mike Lucci

Michael Gene Lucci (born December 29, 1939) is a former National Football League player for the Cleveland Browns for 3 seasons from 1962 to 1964 and 9 seasons with the Detroit Lions from 1965 to 1973. Lucci played collegiately at the University of Tennessee and for one year at the University of Pittsburgh.

Lucci joined the Lions as a result of a three-team transaction on August 30, 1965. He, along with a draft pick, was first sent by the Browns to the New York Giants for all-pro cornerback Erich Barnes. Then the Giants traded him, guard Darrell Dess and a draft pick to the Lions for quarterback Earl Morrall.

He was a 6'2", 230-pound middle linebacker known for his ability to play through injury. Lucci’s defensive coverage abilities earned him a total of 21 career interceptions with Detroit. He returned four of those interceptions for touchdowns. Lucci was voted by his teammates the Lions’ Defensive Most Valuable Player from 1969-1971. In addition, he was All-NFL in 1969, NFC All-Conference in 1970-1971. Lucci was named to the Pro Bowl following the 1971 season where he intercepted five passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Lucci also appeared as himself in the 1968 film Paper Lion, and from 1976 to 1978 served as a color analyst for Lions broadcasts on WJR radio.

Business career

After retiring from the NFL Lucci was a successful business executive and entrepreneur. He is the former president of Bally Total Fitness which at the time was the largest commercial operator of fitness centers in the United States.

Currently

Lucci divides his time between homes in Michigan and Palm Beach County, Florida.