Bumpus Makes NFL Impression

Ex-Centaur Does Well In Seattle

By Dale Williams
Observer Reporter

It appears that not being taken in the NFL draft might have worked out for the  best for Michael Bumpus. 

The former Culver City High receiver and kick returner signed with the Seattle Seahawks in May after not being taken in the draft, and injuries to the Seahawks' top receivers may give him a chance to play right away. 

Bumpus, who signed a two-year contract with Seattle, has already shined in the Seahawks' first two exhibition games this summer, and is tied for the team lead in receptions (5) and leads the team in receiving yards (80). He has also returned three kickoffs for 56 yards.  

With veteran receiver Bobby Engram out with a shoulder injury for several more weeks, and Deion Branch still recovering from off-season knee surgery, Bumpus is one of several young receivers who have a chance to make their marks with the Seahawks. 

"He's opened some eyes," Keith Gilbertson, Seattle's wide-receivers coach, told the Seattle Times about Bumpus. "He's in the competition."

Bumpus is competing with other young receivers for playing time, including Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne, Ben Obomanu and Jordan Kent. None of them have much NFL playing experience, which means Bumpus is not at a disadvantage. 

Bumpus had a stellar career at Washington State, where in four seasons he caught 195 passes for 2,033 yards and eight touchdowns, returned 80 punts for 801 yards and equaled a school record with three returned punts for touchdowns. But he was not taken in the seven rounds of the NFL draft.

"I was a little disappointed I wasn't drafted, but I prepared for being a free agent, so it wasn't that big a surprise," said Bumpus, who is 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds. 

Although the Seahawks have two more pre-season games left, Bumpus has already made an impression on head coach Mike Holmgren.

"I like what he's done," Holmgren told the Seattle  Times. "We talked about our young receivers, and typically the same names, how are these guys going to fit? I would add him to that list."  

In the Seattle story, Bumpus gave much of the credit for his success to his mother, Renee.  

"My mom was the mom who was at every game, even if it was car-pooling, taking five other kids to tournaments," he said. "She has been there since Day One, and I'm real grateful." 

Bumpus told the paper that his mother is so interested in how he's doing with the Seahawks that she scours the Internet every day for information, and that he tells her to slow down.

"She wants to know everything," he said. "She looks on the Internet every day. I tell her to stay off of that stuff."

But every day, Bumpus calls his mom to tell her how he's doing. 

"I'll call her and wish her good night," Bumpus said. "And let her know things are all right."