Mike Fanning Obituary

Mike Fanning was an American professional football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League for ten seasons (NFL).

Fanning was born in the Michigan town of Mount Clemens. He had 164 tackles while at the University of Notre Dame.

He started at defensive tackle for the Fighting Irish in 1973 and 1974 and was named first-team All-America in 1974 by the Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, Newspaper Enterprise Association, and Time.

He made his Super Bowl XIV debut for the Los Angeles Rams. Fanning had eight sacks for the 1979 team, which won the NFC title and advanced to Super Bowl XIV before falling to the Steelers.

Fanning was part of a fearsome defensive line that included Jack Youngblood, Fred Dryer, and Larry Brooks.

Fanning retired after eight seasons with the Rams and one season each with the Lions and Seahawks.

Fanning has worked in the University of Tulsa’s athletic department since 2009, first with group ticket sales and then as the special assistant for administration and operations.

Mike Fanning passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 69. His cause of death was not disclosed.