With the Miami Hurricanes’ season opener just 10 short days away, our countdown to kickoff comes to a legend in UM history: QB George Mira Sr.

A Key West, FL native, Mira came to the University of Miami in 1960 to play for coach Andy Gustafson. After a mandatory redshirt year, Mira was the starting QB for Miami for 3 years, and helped the Canes get to their first bowl game in 10 seasons, the 1961 Liberty Bowl.

After a stellar 3 year UM career, the 6’0” 190lb Mira was a 2nd round NFL draft pick and 8th round AFL draft pick (yes, there were 2 different leagues back then). He chose, however, to go with his NFL team, playing for the San Francisco 49ers after college.

Mira played for 4 teams across 8 seasons in the NFL before migrating North of the Border and playing another 7 seasons for 4 teams in the CFL.

Mira was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1973. When he was inducted, he held the career total offense record (5,123 yards), and is still top 10 in that category in UM history. Mira’s #10 jersey was the 2nd to be retired in Miami history.

Football at UM is a family affair for the Mira’s. Following in his father’s footsteps, George Mira Jr. played linebacker at Miami in the 1980s.

George Mira Sr. still lives and works in Miami, running Native Conch, a food concession at Fairchild Botanical Gardens in sunny Coral Gables, FL.

Go Canes