Mike Karney's passion for football began at age 7, with his first season of playing football for Kent Knights, in his hometown of Kent, WA. His football career continued at Cedar Heights Junior High and on to Kentwood High School, where he started on varsity for 3 years. In his senior year, he was voted to the All-State Team as a linebacker, SPSL North Division League MVP, and Honorable Mention High School All- American.

In 2000, Mike was recruited by Arizona State University, where he started as a true freshman and remained the starting fullback through his senior year. He was then drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2004, where he spent his first 5 years in the National Football League. He then signed as a free-agent with the St. Louis Rams, in March of 2009.

Mike was voted All-Pro in 2006 and a Pro-Bowl Alternate twice.