Former Arizona football player Michael Bates poses for a photo in 1996. Photo by Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star
It’s hard to tell if Bates is best remembered for being an Olympic bronze medalist in 1992 or for being a five-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. However, the Parade All-American was the No. 2 ranked prep running back in the country and will never be forgotten for being one of the finest athletes to ever come out of Tucson. After rushing for at least 1,000 yards three times with Amphitheater, he also set the state record in the 100-meter dash (10.34 seconds) as a sophomore.

