Mike Tice signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maryland in 1981. Tice played his first eight seasons with the Seahawks, making a huge impact on and off the field. He was the Seahawks’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award for three consecutive years starting in 1985. After spending a season in Washington, Tice returned to Seattle in 1990, playing two more seasons with the team. He ended his Seahawks career with 92 receptions, 766 yards and nine touchdowns. He played the final three seasons of his NFL career in Minnesota which led to the beginning of his long-time coaching career. He served as the tight ends coach, offensive line coach, interim head coach and was eventually named the full-time head coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2002-2005.