Mike Sadler named All-Decade punter by Big Ten Network

There might not be a more appropriate representation of the Mark Dantonio era at Michigan State than a punter being named first-team All-Decade.

Forever Spartan Mike Sadler has been named just that by the Big Ten Network, becoming just the second Spartan to make the first team.

He flipped the field. He shined in the classroom. And he made people laugh.

Late @MSU_Football great and two-time B1G first-teamer Mike Sadler, the first four-time academic american in school history, is the #BTNAllDecade P.

More: https://t.co/tJBP1RNQRm pic.twitter.com/8aArAmnIHT

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 3, 2020

Sadler was twice named first-team All-Big Ten during his four-year career and was first team All-American in 2013. He led the nation in punts downed inside the 20 that season. Sadler was also a four-time Academic All-American and authored a number of magical trick plays during his time punting. And who could forget the fan-driven #Sadler4HeismanCampaign that wasn’t totally farcical.

Sadler was set to attend Stanford Law School in 2016 when he and Nebraska punter Sam Foltz were tragically killed in a car accident that July. In his memory The Michael Sadler Foundation was formed to help recognize and build a generation of young students-athlete leaders.

It’s rare that a punter becomes more than just the guy who trots on the field to kick the ball away on fourth down. Mike Sadler far outshone that typical punter status, both on the field and off.