Former Ohio State Safety Mike Sensibaugh Passes Away At Age 72

Sensibaugh still holds school records for interceptions in a season and career.

Staff Writer | Apr 4, 2021

Former Ohio State Safety Mike Sensibaugh Passes Away At Age 72 /

Former Ohio State safety Mike Sensibaugh passed away on March 31, two days after going into cardiac arrest, his wife announced on Facebook. He was 72 years old.

A Cincinnati native, Sensibaugh played for the Buckeyes from 1968-70. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, All-American, member of the Buckeyes’ 1968 national championship team and still holds school records for interceptions in a single season (9) and career (22), though former defensive back Craig Cassady tied his single-season mark in 1975.

𝗕.𝗜.𝗔.

INT by Mike Sensibaugh as we keep piling on#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/9YBAhg0n3v
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) April 9, 2020

Sensibaugh played basketball at Ohio State as a freshman before concentrating on football. He was also the team’s punter, setting a record with 319 punting yards in the 1969 Rose Bowl.

An eighth-round draft choice, Sensibaugh played eight seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs (1971-75) and St. Louis Cardinals (1976-78). He recorded 27 interceptions in 92 career games, including two that he returned for a touchdown.

#tbt 1976 - No more muddy helmet for Cardinals safety Mike Sensibaugh.#AZCardinals | #layout pic.twitter.com/KxaMUpMXyu
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 27, 2015