Former Prospect football star Mike Dawson dies

Dr. Mike Dawson, a 1963 graduate of Prospect High School and an all-state football player in 1962, died Monday in Adrian, Mich., of natural causes.

Dawson's family moved from Michigan to Arlington Heights in 1960 and he quickly became a star athlete at Prospect, leading the Knights to a 6-1 season and the Interim League championship.

He lettered in football, track, wrestling and baseball, according to the 1963 Prospect yearbook.

Dawson earned a full athletic scholarship to Vanderbilt University where he again distinguished himself both academically and athletically, graduating in 1967.

He went to medical school at the University of Michigan, followed by an internship at Vanderbilt and later an orthopedic residency at The Cleveland Clinic.

He was a Major in the U.S. Army. Upon completion of his duty, he moved to Adrian where he started Southeastern Orthopedics.

He was the team doctor for high school football teams for a number of years, and often consulted with the University of Michigan football orthopods and some pro athletes, including Bo Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lynne, and his brother, Richard. He is survived by stepsons Jon and Jay Nicols; his younger brother Pat (Ellen); sister-in-law Elaine; nieces Amanda and Maureen; nephews Andrew and Michael; and Barkley, his beloved Saint Bernard.

Due to the coronavirus, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.