Mike Labinjo
Encyclopedia
Mike Labinjo aka "Binjo" (born July 8, 1980) is a former professional Canadian football
defensive end
for the Calgary Stampeders
of the Canadian Football League
.
and attended St. Michael's College School
. From 1999 to 2003 Labinjo played American football
at Michigan State University
.
Originally recruited as a running back
, he moved to linebacker
for his sophomore season. He started all 12 games as the strong side linebacker
in 2001. As a junior Mike played in 12 games, including 8 starts. His senior season, 2003, proved to be his most productive collegiate year. Mike was the recipient of the Downtown Coaches Club Award as the outstanding senior on defense, after posting a career high 94 tackles (58 solos) with five sacks for minus 43 yards and 11.5 stops for losses of 66 yards. He also recovered two fumbles, intercepted three passes and deflected five others.
After graduating from Michigan State University
and earning a bachelor's degree
in Economics and Finance in December 2003, Labinjo declared for the NFL Draft
. The linebacker was not drafted by an National Football League
franchise, but was drafted in the 2003 CFL Draft
. His rights were selected by the Calgary Stampeders
in the 3rd round, as the 25th overall selection.
of the NFL and was signed as a linebacker. He appeared in 3 games, totalling 12 tackles (12 solo). 2005 was split between 3 teams: Beginning the season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Labinjo saw action in 5 games, including his only NFL career start, recording 5 tackles (5 solo) along the way. Labinjo was let go in the middle of the 2005 season by Philadelphia. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts
for 2 games, registering 2 tackles (1 solo) and half a sack. Ultimately, he ended 2005 with the Miami Dolphins
. In 2006, he played behind Miami Dolphins all-pro linebacker Zach Thomas
. Labinjo was released by the Dolphins after the 2006 season
and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on March 14, 2007. He was released by the Colts on May 8, 2007.
In the 2008 Calgary Stampeders season
, Labinjo recorded 5 sacks, tying him for first on the team with Miguel Robede
and Charleston Hughes
. With 33 tackles, he was ninth on the Stampeders for tackles. He also had one catch for a one-yard touchdown. In the playoffs, Labinjo had 8 tackles and 3 sacks in the 2008 West Division
final, to secure a berth in the 96th Grey Cup
game. Labinjo was pivotal in the Stampeders' 22–14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes
, registering three tackles, one sack, and four pass deflections.
On January 12, 2011, Labinjo was acquired by the Montreal Alouettes
in exchange for future considerations. On January 19, 2011, the Alouettes voided the deal due to concerns about his surgically repaired elbow.
On May 11, 2011, Labinjo was released from his CFL contract with the Calgary Stampeders
effectively ending his tenure with the organization.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
.
Early life
Labinjo was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and attended St. Michael's College School
St. Michael's College School
St. Michael's College School is a private, all-boys Roman Catholic day school in Toronto, Canada. Currently administered by the Basilian Fathers, it is the largest school of its kind in Canada, with an enrollment of approximately 1,080 students from grades 7 to 12. St...
. From 1999 to 2003 Labinjo played American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
.
Originally recruited as a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, he moved to linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for his sophomore season. He started all 12 games as the strong side linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
in 2001. As a junior Mike played in 12 games, including 8 starts. His senior season, 2003, proved to be his most productive collegiate year. Mike was the recipient of the Downtown Coaches Club Award as the outstanding senior on defense, after posting a career high 94 tackles (58 solos) with five sacks for minus 43 yards and 11.5 stops for losses of 66 yards. He also recovered two fumbles, intercepted three passes and deflected five others.
After graduating from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
and earning a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Economics and Finance in December 2003, Labinjo declared for the NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
. The linebacker was not drafted by an National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
franchise, but was drafted in the 2003 CFL Draft
2003 CFL Draft
The 2003 CFL Draft took place on April 30, 2003. 53 players were chosen for Canadian Football League teams from among the eligible CIS football players from Canadian universities, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA.-Round one:-Round two:...
. His rights were selected by the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
in the 3rd round, as the 25th overall selection.
NFL
In 2004, Mike went to training camp with the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the NFL and was signed as a linebacker. He appeared in 3 games, totalling 12 tackles (12 solo). 2005 was split between 3 teams: Beginning the season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Labinjo saw action in 5 games, including his only NFL career start, recording 5 tackles (5 solo) along the way. Labinjo was let go in the middle of the 2005 season by Philadelphia. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
for 2 games, registering 2 tackles (1 solo) and half a sack. Ultimately, he ended 2005 with the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In 2006, he played behind Miami Dolphins all-pro linebacker Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas
Zachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
. Labinjo was released by the Dolphins after the 2006 season
2006 Miami Dolphins season
The 2006 Miami Dolphins season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. Instead, they finished the season 6–10 after being hyped by some to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and saw their coach Nick Saban abandon his contract to coach college football for the Alabama...
and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on March 14, 2007. He was released by the Colts on May 8, 2007.
CFL
Labinjo signed with the Calgary Stampeders on July 16, 2007 and he played in six games in his first CFL season before giving way to a season-ending elbow injury. He made two defensive tackles and four special teams tackles.In the 2008 Calgary Stampeders season
2008 Calgary Stampeders season
The Calgary Stampeders finished 1st place in the Western division, won the West Final and played in the 96th Grey Cup in Montreal to face the Alouettes. The Stampeders won their 6th Grey Cup championship.-Transactions:...
, Labinjo recorded 5 sacks, tying him for first on the team with Miguel Robede
Miguel Robede
Miguel Robede is a Canadian football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2005 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders...
and Charleston Hughes
Charleston Hughes
Charleston Hughes is an American football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Stampeders as a street free agent in 2008. He played college football for Northwood.Hughes has also been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.-External links:**...
. With 33 tackles, he was ninth on the Stampeders for tackles. He also had one catch for a one-yard touchdown. In the playoffs, Labinjo had 8 tackles and 3 sacks in the 2008 West Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
final, to secure a berth in the 96th Grey Cup
96th Grey Cup
The 96th Grey Cup was held in Montreal, Quebec at Olympic Stadium on November 23, 2008. The Eastern Division Champion Montreal Alouettes hosted the Western Division Champion Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders won the game 22-14, with quarterback Henry Burris winning the MVP award...
game. Labinjo was pivotal in the Stampeders' 22–14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
, registering three tackles, one sack, and four pass deflections.
On January 12, 2011, Labinjo was acquired by the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
in exchange for future considerations. On January 19, 2011, the Alouettes voided the deal due to concerns about his surgically repaired elbow.
On May 11, 2011, Labinjo was released from his CFL contract with the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
effectively ending his tenure with the organization.