Micah Parsons makes NFL history on Sunday Night Football

The tradition of Penn State football is steeped with great playmakers at the linebacker position. Each generation of Nittany Lions fans seemingly has their own talent that can be placed among the best at “Linebacker U.” But when it’s all said and done, we may be watching the best of the best right now in former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons. The Dallas Cowboys linebacker has taken the NFL by storm in his first three seasons, putting him among the greatest players in the entire sport. Parsons can now add to his growing list of accolades after making NFL history yet again on Sunday Night Football. 

Micah Parsons makes NFL history on Sunday Night Football

The level of success that Micah Parsons has achieved in a relatively short amount of time is really quite incredible. The former five-star prospect and All-American has picked up right where he left off after leaving Penn State football for the NFL. Parsons can already call himself a Defensive Rookie of the Year, Butkus Award winner, and two-time All-Pro selection in just two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Last night, Parsons put himself in esteemed company once again. During the second quarter of the Cowboys’ 33-13 rout of the Philadephia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, Parsons took down Jalen Hurts for his 12th sack of the season. With the play, the former Penn State Nittany Lion joins Reggie White as the only other player in NFL history to have at least 12 sacks in each of their first three seasons. 

Just Micah Parsons and a Hall of Famer 👏 #PHIvsDAL pic.twitter.com/1fcDsHbHhb

— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2023

However, as NBC’s Mike Tirico pointed out on the Sunday Night Football broadcast, Reggie White spent a year in the USFL before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985. As a result, Micah Parsons is the only player in NFL history to accomplish this feat directly out of college. 

“Flu game” for Penn State football legend

It was a relatively quiet game the rest of the way for Micah Parsons, only putting up two tackles in the win. But Parson’s ability to even be on the field last night was impressive. After the game, the former Penn State linebacker explained that he’s been battling flu-like symptoms all weekend.

“Last night, I woke up with a 102-degree fever,” Parsons said. “I took as many drugs and IVs as a man could possibly take to be able to play today.”

Parsons is putting up another All-Pro caliber year, with 44 tackles and 12.5 sacks through 13 games. Something tells me that we’ll be watching this former Penn State football icon make plays in the NFL for many years to come.

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