Former Jayhawk Rivera Signs with New England Patriots

Nov. 9, 2011

FOXBORO, Mass. — Former Kansas linebacker Mike Rivera has signed with the New England Patriots and will be placed on the team’s practice squad the organization announced on Wednesday.

Rivera, a 6-foot-2 linebacker from Shawnee Mission, Kan., was released by the Miami Dolphins following training camp this year. The Dolphins signed Rivera in the final week of the 2010 season after he was a member of the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. Rivera spent the 2009 season on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad after entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears.

Rivera was a three-year starter at Kansas from 2006-08, and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection. He amassed 300 tackles in his KU career with 6.5 sacks, an interception and seven fumble recoveries, helping the Jayhawks win the 2008 Orange Bowl and the 2008 Insight Bowl.

As a member of the practice squad, Rivera can be activated and added to the 53-man roster at any time. Players can be promoted to the active roster of their current team or to that of any other team. They have free agent status and can sign with any team they wish without compensation to the original team.