Mike Rivera was signed by the Patriots to the practice squad on November 9, 2011 … Originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent (4/26/09) … Released by Chicago (9/5/09)… Signed by Tennessee to the practice squad (9/7/09) … Released by Tennessee (9/15/10) … Signed by Green Bay to the practice squad (10/13/10) … Signed by Miami from the Green Bay practice squad (12/28/10) … Released by Miami (8/27/11)... Signed by the Patriots to a future contract (2/7/12).
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Mike Rivera was signed by the Patriots to the practice squad on November 9, 2011 … Originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent (4/26/09) … Released by Chicago (9/5/09)… Signed by Tennessee to the practice squad (9/7/09) … Released by Tennessee (9/15/10) … Signed by Green Bay to the practice squad (10/13/10) … Signed by Miami from the Green Bay practice squad (12/28/10) … Released by Miami (8/27/11)... Signed by the Patriots to a future contract (2/7/12).
SEASONAL REVIEWS
2012 (10/1, 2/0)
- Returned to the Patriots in late October after a short stint with the Dolphins.
- Compiled a career-high four special teams tackles in win at Jacksonville (12/23).
- Started his first NFL game at linebacker vs. San Francisco (12/16) and tallied one tackle.
- Registered a career-high three special teams stackles in the win at N.Y. Jets (11/22).
- Appeared in his first NFL game in the season-opening win at Tennessee (9/9).
2012 (1/0 - Miami)
- Played in one game with the Dolphins - a loss at Arizona (9/30).
2011 (0/0)
- Went to training camp with Miami before being released prior to the regular season.
- Signed by New England to the practice squad midseason and spent the rest of the year there.
2010 (0/0 – Miami)
- Went to training camp with Tennessee and spent time on Green Bay practice squad before being added to Miami’s 53-man roster from the Green Bay practice squad late in the season.
- Inactive at New England (1/2).
2009 (0/0 – Tennessee)
- Signed with Chicago as a rookie free agent and was released before the start of the regular season.
- Signed by Tennessee to the practice squad and spent the rest of the year there.
COLLEGE
- Saw action in 51 career games with 36 starts at Kansas (2004-08) where he was a three-time all-conference honoree and two-time all-Big 12 selection.
- Posted 300 career tackles (167 solo), 6.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, an interception, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
- As a senior, named all-Big 12 honorable mention after finishing third on the team with 93 tackles.
- Was redshirted as a true freshman even though he appeared in one game and registered one tackle.
PERSONAL
- Born Jan. 10, 1986
- Attended Shawnee Mission (Kansas) Northwest High school in Shawnee Mission, Kan.
- Holds a degree from Kansas in communications.
