University of Maine Athletics

Mike DeVito is the epitome of the under-the-radar overachievers who are the backbone of the University of Maine’s most successful teams. He was first recruited to be a walk-on by the Black Bears, who clinched the deal with a token scholarship. Red-shirted as a true freshman, four years later he was selected first-team Atlantic-10 nose tackle.  Bypassed in the NFL draft, he was signed by his favorite pro team, the New York Jets, and against long odds made the opening day roster. Nine seasons later, six with the Jets and three with the Kansas City Chiefs, DeVito retired, never having been released, never having been dropped from the active roster.