La’Michael Pettway Bio
La’Michael Pettway is an American professional football tight end who plays for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 250 lb, he has built his career through a steady climb from high school star to college contributor, alternative league standout, and brief NFL practice-squad experience. He is best known for winning a USFL Championship with the Birmingham Stallions in 2023 and for his time as a leading receiver at both Arkansas and Iowa State.
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL draft, Pettway carved out a professional path through The Spring League, the United States Football League, and short stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, before returning to Birmingham in 2025. His journey reflects the perseverance of a player who continued to develop his game across multiple leagues and roles.
Early Life and Background
La’Michael Pettway was born on March 20, 1997, in Alabama, United States. He later moved to Arkansas during elementary school, where he grew up and began building the athletic foundation that would shape his football career. His family environment, combined with the sports culture of his adopted hometown, encouraged his early involvement in multiple sports.
He attended Nashville High School in Arkansas, where he was a three-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track and field. During his junior season, he opened the year as his team’s starting quarterback, completing 33 of 56 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns while adding 263 rushing yards and two scores through the first three games, before shifting to wide receiver and finishing with 56 receptions for 1,056 yards and 15 touchdowns.
As a senior, Pettway recorded 54 catches for 913 yards and 18 scores, while also playing defense and posting 42 tackles and eight interceptions. He was named first-team All-Arkansas Preps by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, earned all-state honors for the second time, was selected to the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team, and was a finalist for Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with 123 receptions for 2,151 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Path to Professional Football
Ranked as a three-star recruit by most outlets and a four-star prospect by ESPN, Pettway initially committed to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels before de-committing and signing with the Arkansas Razorbacks. His recruitment reflected both his raw athletic ability and his growing reputation as a productive receiver in the Arkansas high school ranks.
At Arkansas, he redshirted as a true freshman in 2015, then worked his way into the rotation over the next three seasons, eventually becoming the Razorbacks’ leading receiver in 2018 with 30 catches, 499 yards, and four touchdowns. After his junior year, he transferred to Iowa State for his final college season in 2019, where he was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference selection and led the Cyclones with 55 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns.
Following his college career, Pettway entered the 2020 NFL draft but went unselected, beginning a long professional journey through developmental leagues. His college resume, highlighted by 92 catches for 1,277 yards and 11 touchdowns across Arkansas and Iowa State, demonstrated the kind of reliable pass-catching ability that would later earn him opportunities at the next level.
La’Michael Pettway Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL draft, Pettway spent time training and waiting for his next opportunity. In 2021, he played for the Aviators of The Spring League, a developmental football league that gave him a platform to showcase his skills in front of NFL scouts.
He also had a workout with the New England Patriots before the 2022 season, signaling growing interest from NFL teams in his services. His time with the Aviators helped him refine his route running and blocking responsibilities as he adjusted to a full-time tight end role.
Michigan Panthers Era (2022)
Pettway was selected by the Michigan Panthers in the 2022 USFL draft, marking his entry into the rebooted United States Football League. He played 10 games with four starts during the season and posted 24 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable target in the Panthers’ passing game.
His production in 2022 helped him earn a new opportunity the following year, as he became one of the more consistent tight end options in the spring football circuit.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2023)
Pettway joined the Birmingham Stallions for the 2023 USFL season and played in seven games with three starts. He recorded seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, contributing as both a blocker and a pass catcher as the Stallions captured the league championship.
The title run cemented his résumé and gave him the visibility needed to draw attention from NFL organizations, paving the way for his first NFL contract later that summer.
Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots (2023–2024)
Pettway was signed by the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL on August 1, 2023, marking his first NFL contract. However, he suffered an undisclosed injury shortly after joining the team and was waived/injured on August 9 before being placed on injured reserve two days later and ultimately removed from the roster on August 17.
He was later signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad on December 27, 2023, and then signed a two-year contract to the active roster on January 6, 2024, ahead of the team’s season finale against the New York Jets. The Patriots released him on August 26, 2024, ending his brief NFL stay.
Birmingham Stallions (Second Stint) (2025–Present)
On January 2, 2025, Pettway re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, returning to the organization where he had previously won a championship. His return gives the Stallions a familiar, experienced tight end who has already proven his value in their system.
The 2025 season marks a homecoming for Pettway, who now has a chance to add to his championship pedigree with one of the most successful spring football franchises in the country.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of Pettway’s professional career so far is the 2023 USFL Championship with the Birmingham Stallions, his first professional title. He also reached the NFL level with both the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, fulfilling a personal milestone after going unselected in the 2020 draft. His journey from undrafted free agent to championship tight end stands as a defining narrative in his career.
La’Michael Pettway Career Wins
La’Michael Pettway has compiled a varied list of team and personal accomplishments across multiple professional leagues, headlined by a USFL Championship with the Birmingham Stallions in 2023. He has recorded verified receiving production with the TSL Aviators, Michigan Panthers, Birmingham Stallions, and New England Patriots, and has added individual college honors including honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference recognition in 2019.
USFL Highlights
Pettway’s most significant win came during the 2023 USFL season, when he helped the Birmingham Stallions capture the league championship. He contributed seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns across seven regular-season games, providing timely playmaking in the red zone and reliable blocking on the edge.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship, Pettway posted a strong 2022 campaign with the Michigan Panthers, recording 24 catches for 307 yards and two scores in 10 games. At the college level, he earned first-team All-Arkansas Preps honors, a spot on the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team, and an honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference nod, underscoring his consistent production at every stop.
La’Michael Pettway Family
Personal Life
La’Michael Pettway keeps much of his personal and family life private. Public details about his parents, spouse, and children have not been widely reported, and he has not shared extensive information on those topics in available sources. He grew up in a household shaped by his move from Alabama to Arkansas during his elementary school years, a transition that introduced him to the football culture of the Natural State.
2025 Season Performance
La’Michael Pettway enters the 2025 season as a returning member of the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, having re-signed with the team on January 2, 2025. His familiarity with the Stallions’ offensive system and his championship experience from 2023 give him an opportunity to play a meaningful role in the tight end rotation.
After spending time with both the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots between 2023 and 2024, Pettway returns to the UFL having added NFL practice-squad and active-roster experience to his résumé. That experience, combined with a productive 2022 USFL campaign and a 2023 title, positions him as a veteran presence in the Stallions’ locker room.
Heading into the 2025 season, Pettway is expected to compete for snaps as a blocker and pass catcher, with the goal of helping Birmingham pursue another UFL title while continuing to showcase his abilities to NFL scouts.