Michael Nattiel

Michael Dondril Nattiel (born November 8, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) during the early 2000s. Nattiel played college football for the Florida Gators, and thereafter, he played in the NFL for the Vikings.

Early life

Nattiel was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1980. He attended Newberry High School in Newberry, Florida, where he played for the Newberry Fighting Panthers high school football team. Nattiel was a three-time Florida Class 3A all-state honoree at linebacker, and was recognized as a high school All-American by SuperPrep, PrepStar and National Blue Chips. Nattiel recovered a key fumble in the Gators' Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship victory over the Auburn Tigers in 2000, and he played for the Vikings from to . In his two-season NFL career, Nattiel played in thirty-two games in a backup role, the highlight of which was an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2003.