[2] He was also on the wrestling team, winning 33 consecutive matches with only four losses in NCAA and Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned competition; he finished third and fourth in national AAU tournaments as a sophomore.

Although wrestling coach George Strohmeyer felt he could have qualified for the 1952 Summer Olympics, he elected to focus on football upon being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 17th round of the 1951 NFL draft.

[8] Michalik's 1954 season ended when he tore knee ligaments in a tie against the Rams, a game that also resulted in injuries for his teammates and drew condemnation from 49ers owner Tony Morabito and captain Bruno Banducci.

[9][10] At the end of the year, he was urged to retire by team doctors but refused, prompting the 49ers to trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional draft pick.

[11][12] During his playing days, Michalik also entered professional wrestling and formed a tag team with 49ers player Leo Nomellini.