Mike Ernst

Michael Paul Ernst (born October 12, 1950) is a former National Football League and World Football League quarterback who played professionally for the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and Southern California Sun. He played college football at Cal State-Fullerton.[1][2] He was not drafted out of college but was signed by the Broncos as a free agent before the 1972 season and joined the team's taxi squad.[2] He was activated late in the season and played his first and only game for the Broncos in their season finale, entering a blowout win over the New England Patriots late in the game and leading a touchdown drive.[2] He completed 1 of 4 passes for 10 yards.[1][2][3]

Mike Ernst
No. 12
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born:(1950-10-12)October 12, 1950
Lynwood, California
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College:Cal State-Fullerton
Undrafted:1972
Career history

The Broncos released Ernst right before the start of the 1973 season.[4] He was signed by the Bengals after their first game of the 1973 season to replace Tim Van Galder as a backup to Ken Anderson and Greg Cook.[5][6][7] He got into one game for the Bengals, a lopsided victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on November 25, but did not throw a pass.[1][8] He started the 1974 season as the Bengals third-string quarterback, but was released in October after being arrested for possession of cocaine.[9][10][11] He eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year probation.[12][13] He later unsuccessfully sued the Bengals to recover the half of his $17,000 salary that had not been paid due to his release.[14][11][15]

Ernst signed with the Southern California Sun of the World Football League for the 1975 season as a backup to Daryle Lamonica and Pat Haden.[11][16] He ended up as the starting quarterback after Lamonica retired and Haden left the team to accept a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University.[17] The World Football League folded after the 1975 season and Ernst attempted to join the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League for the 1976 season but was cut before the season.[18][19] In 1977 he attempted to return to the NFL with the San Diego Chargers but was released before the start of the season.[20]

References
  1. "Mike Ernst". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  2. Lane, Larry (December 21, 1972). "Downey's Mike Ernst Makes Pro Debut in Season's Finale". Los Angeles Times. p. 178. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  3. Lane, Larry (December 22, 1972). "Titan's Ernst Makes Pro Debut". Los Angeles Times. p. 22. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  4. "Broncos Cut Ernst, Askea". Greeley Daily Tribune. September 14, 1973. p. 33. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  5. "Bengals go for First win against hapless Houston". Daily Reporter. September 22, 1973. p. 13. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  6. Callahan, Tom (December 16, 1973). "Hopes and Fears of Mike Ernst's Year". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 27. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  7. Stewart, D.L (September 28, 1973). "Ernst taking cram course with Bengals". The Journal Herald. p. 30. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  8. Stewart, D.L. (November 26, 1973). "Bengals Say Cards 'Dirty'". The Journal Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  9. Callahan, Tom (November 7, 1974). "Third-Stringer". Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 73. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  10. Forbes, Dick (October 31, 1974). "Drug Charge Perplexes Ernst's Bengals Roommate". Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 55. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  11. "Mike Ernst Fails in Bengals' Suit". Monroe News-Star. August 28, 1975. p. 16. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  12. "Sports News Brief". New York Times. March 13, 1975. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  13. "Ex-Bengal Ernst Meted Probation". Cincinnati Enquirer. February 8, 1975. p. 8. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  14. "Mike Ernst Sues Bengals". Yuma Daily Sun. March 29, 1975. p. 29. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  15. "NFL Roundup". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. August 31, 1976. p. 20. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  16. "Ernst Throws Strikes; Davis Shows His Speed". Daily Messenger. August 4, 1975. p. 7. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  17. "Sun Contracts Backup QB". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. October 2, 1975. p. 41. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  18. "Lions Roster Down to 50". The Times. June 24, 1976. p. 12. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  19. "B.C. Lions cut five from roster". The Times. July 19, 1976. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
  20. "Pro Football Roundup". News-Press. September 7, 1977. p. 25. Retrieved 2018-08-12 – via newspapers.com.
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