Feb. 22, 2010
By Christian Edwards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Former UCF tight end Michael Gaines entered his sixth season in the NFL with the Chicago Bears this past fall. Gaines appeared in one game for Chicago before being cut on October 17th. He was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns on October 21st. Gaines had a productive second half of the season as he started seven of the ten games he played in with the Browns. He finished the season with five receptions for 59 yards, and scored a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. As a pro, Gaines has appeared in 83 games, and has 84 receptions for 869 yards and six touchdowns.
Gaines was selected in the seventh round (232nd overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He went on to be one of four rookie draft choices to start a game for the Panthers in 2004. His first career NFL touchdown came against the Green Bay Packers in 2005 as he caught a 19-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme. The seven-year pro has played for five teams in his NFL career. Gaines has spent time with the Carolina Panthers (2004-06), Buffalo Bills (2007), Detroit Lions (2008), Chicago Bears (2009), and Cleveland Browns (2009). He had a career-high 25 receptions in 2007 with the Buffalo Bills, and a career-high 260 receiving yards with the Detroit Lions in 2008.
Gaines attended Florida High School in Tallahassee and played six different positions in football. His career high school statistics included 56 receptions for 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was named first-team all-state his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he recorded 20 receptions for 535 yards and nine touchdowns, and added 110 tackles on defense. Johnson was regarded as the number one tight end in the state of Florida.
At UCF, Gaines played in 23 games and made four starts. His career totals include 22 receptions for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Gaines played in 11 games as a sophomore with one start. He recorded 11 receptions for 115 yards and one touchdown, and caught at least one pass in seven games. As a junior in 2002, Gaines played in 12 games with three starts. He finished the season with 11 receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior, he was selected to the Blue-Gray game.
To see the next wave of UCF's future NFL stars, make sure you get your 2010 season tickets now for as low as $99. For information on how you can enjoy all six UCF home games this fall at Bright House Networks Stadium and join the Knights' quest for another C-USA Championship, call the Athletic Ticket office at (407) 823-1000 or check out the tickets tab above here at UCFAthletics.com.