Orono, Maine – The University of Maine athletic department is proud to announce that Mike Flynn will be inducted into UMaine football's prestigious Ring of Honor on Saturday, Oct. 14 when the Black Bears take on Rhode Island.
 
Flynn, who played for UMaine from 1992-96, was an offensive guard and tackle for the Black Bears. Following his stint at UMaine, Flynn enjoyed an 11 year National Football League (NFL) career, highlighted by a Super Bowl championship in 2001 with the Baltimore Ravens.
 
"I am excited and humbled to be inducted into the Ring of Honor," Flynn said. "UMaine has a rich history of great football teams and players. I am so proud I was able to be a part of it. I would like to thank the committee for selecting me. I know it was a difficult process because of other worthy players. As an athlete, to be recognized as one of the best to play at a university is what we strive for. This induction is certainly one of the highlights of my career."
 
Flynn, a 1997 UMaine graduate, will join former receiver Thurlow Cooper, linebackers Chris Keating and John Huard and head coach Harold Westerman as members of the Ring of Honor. The Ring of Honor was established in 2005 to recognize and honor the most outstanding members of the football program.
 
"Mike Flynn's accomplishments at the University of Maine and in the NFL speak for themselves," said former UMaine football head coach, Jack Cosgrove. "Flynn made a career out of showing those who thought he couldn't, that he could. His achievements at the highest level of our game are impressive. His NFL career remains the longest of any Black Bear and he still holds the distinction of being the only Black Bear to start in and win a Super Bowl."
 
While at UMaine, Flynn, a four-year letterwinner, earned All-Yankee Conference first-team honors as a senior and was a third-team honoree in 1995. Flynn, a captain and four-year starter, was honored by the Black Bears as the 1996 Sam Sezak Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
 
"My time at UMaine was probably the most enjoyable in my football career," Flynn added. "I was young and very raw in terms of my football ability. I was lucky to have coaches in Jack Cosgrove, Joe Gilbert and Kirk Ferentz who understood the game and had the ability to teach the game. Most of what I learned at UMaine carried me through my pro career."
 
After his collegiate career, Flynn signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 as an undrafted free agent. After brief stints with Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, he re-signed with Baltimore and made his NFL debut in 1998. Two years later, Flynn was the starting right guard for the Super Bowl XXXV champion Ravens. He shifted to the center position where he played through the 2007 season. He was picked up by the New England Patriots in 2008 but was released before the season, retiring from football soon after. In all, Flynn appeared in 134 games with 115 starts at the NFL level.
 
Flynn grew up in Agawam, Mass. and attended Cathedral high school in Springfield, Mass. Currently, Flynn co-hosts "Johnston and Flynn", a weekend radio show on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston and also is a contributor on Comcast SportsNet New England. He and his wife, Mary, are the proud parents of four boys; Jake, Joe, Mike and Patrick.
 
-UMaine-