Michael Dumas went from the small-town fields of Lowell, Michigan, to the bright lights of the NFL. His story is one of dedication and resilience as he embraced every challenge that came his way. Though he played in stadiums packed with thousands of fans, his foundation remained rooted in the values instilled in him from a young age.
Growing Up in Lowell
Dumas credits his parents with shaping him as a person.
“The family values my parents instilled in me at such a young age really were my foundation,” he reflects.
However, when it came to athletics, Lowell played a key role in developing his competitive edge. Football in Lowell was always a challenge, and Dumas remembers the tough competition, particularly a memorable victory over Wyoming Park who was coming off back-to-back state championships. “We weren’t really given a chance to win that one, but we pulled off the upset.”
Dumas graduated from Lowell High School in 1987 before going on to play college football for the Indiana Hoosiers. The community also played a role in his journey. He speaks fondly of his high school football coach, Phil Christenson, who took him to different college games and helped shape his approach to the sport.
But it wasn’t just the coaches—Mrs. Christenson, the school’s typing teacher, was a steady influence in his life. She continued supporting him even after high school, sending care packages and attending his college games at Indiana University alongside his parents. “She was very special,” Dumas recalls.
The Transition from Small Town to the Big Leagues
Despite coming from a small town, Dumas never felt like an underdog when stepping onto bigger stages. “I felt that the transition was right on time. I felt very comfortable and confident to play at the next level—it was about having that opportunity,” he shares.
He acknowledges that moving on from Lowell presented challenges but saw them as part of the growth process. “You’re not the best on the team anymore, and that makes you grow up in a hurry.”
While playing in college and the NFL, Dumas leaned on lessons from home. “Home was only a phone call away, and believe me, I made my share of phone calls home,” he says. “My parents always told me, ‘God’s not going to give you more than you can handle. You’ve got to embrace the bad times with the same energy and vigor as the good times.'”
He went on to play as a safety in the NFL for nine seasons, from 1991 to 2000, with teams such as the Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Diego Chargers. His time in the league solidified his place in professional football history, proving that hard work and perseverance can take a small-town athlete to the highest level.
Life After Football
After an accomplished NFL career, Dumas remained connected to football through coaching. He served as a special teams assistant coach and assistant secondary coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Today, he has moved into the business world, working as a sales manager with Empire Today Flooring. “I like managing a team of sales reps, mentoring, and building sales teams,” he says.
Though his playing days are behind him, the leadership skills he developed on the field are still in use daily. More than anything, Dumas is a proud father to three beautiful children and a dedicated family man, finding joy in the time he spends with his loved ones.
Staying Connected to Lowell
Though he now calls Houston, Texas, home, Dumas still keeps in touch with friends from Lowell. However, when he visits, he keeps things low-key.
“It’s so weird when I go back—I don’t tell anyone I’m coming. I usually just show up,” he says. “I don’t make plans to see anyone other than family.”
When asked what advice he would give young athletes from Lowell who dream of making it big, Dumas is clear: “Don’t let anybody put limits on you. You pave your own way—you have to be willing to do what others aren’t. And when you feel like you can’t go on anymore, know that’s just a mental block you have to overcome.”
Reflecting on the Journey
With a career that spanned multiple NFL teams and a transition into coaching and business, Dumas remains proud of his journey. But more than any achievement on the field, he hopes that people from Lowell remember him as someone who was genuine.
“I associated with everybody. I wasn’t part of a clique. I was friendly with everyone and treated people fairly,” he says.
Dumas’s story is a testament to perseverance, the power of strong values, and the importance of always looking ahead to the next challenge. From the fields of Lowell to the highest level of professional football, he never lost sight of who he was—and that, more than anything, is what defines his legacy.
Leave a Reply