• Faith: Christian
• Career: Athlete
• Birthday:  May 26, 1999

Micah Aaron Parsons is an elite defensive end who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2021 to 2024 and joined the Green Bay Packers in 2025. He is only the second player in National Football League (NFL) history to make at least 12 sacks during each of his first four seasons in the league. The other player was Hall of Famer Reggie White, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1985-1992) and the Green Bay Packers (1993-1998).

A defensive end's job is to disrupt plays by sacking the quarterback, disrupting pass plays or attacking from the quarterback's blind side. Defensive ends who reach legendary status – as Parsons has done – play with incredible power, versatility and explosive speed.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Parsons in the 2021 draft. He was the 12th overall pick and remained with the team until he had a contentious contract dispute with the Cowboys' owner, Jerry Jones, in 2025. He subsequently signed a four-year contract extension worth $188 million with Green Bay, which made him the highest-paid non-quarterback player in the NFL at the time he signed.

Micah Parsons is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born to Terrence and Sherese Parsons on May 26, 1999, in Harrisburg. His father, a military officer, introduced him to football, coached his youth football team and ran a non-profit organization for underprivileged children. Meanwhile, his mother worked outside the home and cared for her husband and their three children. One of the first things Micah did after signing with Green Bay was to buy his mom a $1.3 million house in Texas. He called it "that moment when (your) momma never got to work again."

At 6 ft. 3 in. and 250 lbs., Parsons is built to play football, as his numerous accolades proved:

• 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

• 3-time First-team All-Pro in 2021, 2022 and 2025

• 2nd team All-Pro for 2023

• 5-time Pro Bowl in 2021-2025

• Butkus Award in 2021 (annual award for best professional, college and high school linebackers)

• Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team in 2021

• Consensus All-American for 2019

• Big Ten Linebacker of the Year for 2019

• First-team All-Big Ten in 2019

• Freshman All-American in 2018

Parson's career statistics have been impressive as well:

• Touchdowns: 1

• Fumble recoveries: 4

• Pass deflections: 10

• Forced fumbles: 11

• Sacks: 65

• Tackles: 297

"With his 65 career sacks, Parsons has the fifth most sacks by a player in the first five years of their career (since 1982)," according to the Packers' organization. "Only Reggie White (81), J.J. Watt (74.5 sacks), T.J. Watt (72), and Derrick Thomas (66) have more."

Is Micah Parsons Religious?

The NFL is filled with players, coaches and staff who openly proclaim that Christ is their Lord and Savior, and Micah Aaron Parsons is one of them. He has said he believes in God and readily acknowledges the fact that his talent comes from Him. Parsons has been quoted in a recent Patheos article, "Parsons, Packers DE: Trusting God in a New Chapter," and in other sources stating that he reads the Bible every day and seeks to develop a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.

He relies on his faith now more than ever as he recovers following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The season-ending injury occurred during the December 14 game between Green Bay and the Denver Broncos. At the time, the Packers were in a tight race for the NFC North division. But with Parsons out for the season, Green Bay lost the remaining games of 2025.

Yet, Parsons has a positive attitude. "I may be sidelined, but I am not defeated," he said in a statement posted on social media the following day. "This injury is my greatest test – a moment God allowed to strengthen my testimony. I believe He walked with me through this storm and chose me for this fight because He knew my heart could carry it…. I trust (God's) timing, His plan and His purpose. I will rise again."

And with the new year came a new baby. Parsons and his wife's third child was born around Christmas, joining the couple's son and daughter.