Whatever happened to: Nick Mike-Mayer

Football

The Falcons’ Nick Mike-Mayer kicks a field goal against the Bears in the 1970s. AJC file photoDuring a time when soccer-style kickers were not the norm in the NFL, Nick Mike-Mayer gave the Falcons a rookie season to remember. For a franchise that was struggling to find itself in 1973, the soccer import from Italy hit all 34 of his extra points, 68.4 percent of his field goals and a then-franchise record five field goals in a win over the first-place Los Angeles Rams.

He was rewarded with a trip to the Pro Bowl. Even Norm Van Brocklin admitted he liked the young Mike-Mayer, who said of the grouchy head coach, “Norm once told me I missed a field goal because I was too fat. Shoot, I was…