Mike Crangle

Michael Crangle (born February 3, 1947) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for one season with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats and UT Martin Skyhawks and was a fourth-round selection in the 1972 NFL draft by the Saints. He also had a stint with the Oakland Raiders.

Early life Crangle was born on February 3, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Hower High School in Ohio for three seasons. He played football as a junior but was not allowed to play as a senior as he transferred to Central High School in Akron. It was assumed the reason he left the team was due to a dispute occurring against Louisville, where he allegedly cast a racial slur against an African-American player.

Crangle transferred to UT Martin in 1970 and was able to play immediately due to UT Martin being an NAIA team. He was invited to the North–South All-Star Game and to the Senior Bowl after the conclusion of his college career. He was credited with 134 tackles, 42 sacks, 33 pass breakups and seven fumble recoveries in his two seasons at UT Martin.

Professional career Crangle was selected in the fourth round (85th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He signed his rookie contract on April 15. He was activated shortly afterwards and appeared in a total of 13 out of the Saints' 14 games. He was a backup in each game and recorded no statistics as the Saints finished the season with a record of 2–11–1. In June 1973, Crangle was traded to the Oakland Raiders for an undisclosed draft pick. He left the team in mid-July. Crangle did not play with any other teams afterwards, thus finishing his career with 13 games played, none as a starter.