Herb Mul-Key

Last updated

Herb Mul-Key
Mul-Key-Herb-1975.jpg
Mul-Key in 1975
No. 28
Position: Running back
Kick returner
Personal information
Born: (1949-11-15) November 15, 1949 (age 74)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College: Alabama State
Undrafted: 1972
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:23
Starts:1
Kick return yards:1,505
Rushing yards:178
Touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Herbert Felton Mul-Key (born November 15, 1949) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for three seasons with the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL). He was a member of their Super Bowl VII squad, and appeared in the Pro Bowl in 1973. Born Herbert Mulkey, he hyphenated his name after having it made fun of in school.

Contents

Biography

Herb Mul-Key attended Harper High School in Atlanta, where he was an all-city player. However, his attitude was criticized by coaches, and he did not receive a college scholarship. Yet, he was able to play at Alabama State College but for only one season. [1] After that he worked a series of jobs and served in the Navy. Childhood friend Harold McLinton told Mul-Key of an open try-out for the Redskins. Mul-Key borrowed money from his parents and friends to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the tryout held by George Allen and the Redskins in 1971. Allen was impressed by his speed, running 40 yards in under 4.5 seconds on a wet field, and signed him to the rookie minimum salary of $12,000. He was the only player ever signed from these tryouts, which were more public relations stunts than an actual talent search. [2]

Mul-Key spent most of the 1972 on Washington's reserve list. [3] He was activated for the 13th game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys when NFC rushing leader Larry Brown was injured. [3] [4] In that game he rushed for 60 yards on 8 attempts and returned 6 kickoffs for 173 yards. [4] [5] He started the next game, the final game of the 1972 regular season, against the Buffalo Bills and rushed for 95 yards on 25 carries. [6] [7] In the 1972 playoffs he served as a kick returner, returning 2 kickoffs for 60 yards in the divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers and returning 1 kickoff for 15 yards in Super Bowl VII against the Miami Dolphins. [8]

In pre-season in 1973 Mul-Key ran the first kickoff at Rich Stadium back 102 yards for a touchdown. [9] In a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 23, 1973, Mul-Key scored on a 97 yard kickoff return on the play after Don Shy had scored a kickoff return touchdown; the 2nd time in NFL history kickoff return touchdowns were scored on consecutive plays. [10] [11] He went to the Pro Bowl after the 1973 season as a kick returner. [12] In 1974 Mul-Key separated his shoulder in Washington's 5th game against Miami and he required surgery to repair it and was placed on injured reserve. [13] [14] [15]

Mul-Key was traded to the Baltimore Colts before the 1975 season in exchange for a 1977 4th round draft pick. [16] [17] The Colts cut Mul-Key before the 1975 season and he was signed by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. [18] [19] Mul-Key was cut by the Alouettes before the 1976 season. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl VII</span> 1973 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl VII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Washington Redskins to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1972 season. The Dolphins vanquished the Redskins by the score of 14–7, winning their first Super Bowl, and became the first and still the only team in modern NFL history to complete a perfect undefeated season. They also remain the only Super Bowl champion to win despite having been shut out in the second half of the game. The game was played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, the second time the Super Bowl was played in that city. At kickoff, the temperature was 84 °F (29 °C), making the game the warmest Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XVII</span> 1983 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XVII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Washington Redskins to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the strike-shortened 1982 season. The Redskins defeated the Dolphins, 27–17, to win their first Super Bowl championship. The game was played on January 30, 1983, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Warfield</span> American football player (born 1942)

Paul Dryden Warfield is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 to 1977 for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, except for a year in the World Football League (WFL) with the Memphis Southmen in 1975. He was known for his speed, fluid moves, grace, and jumping ability. A consistent big-play threat throughout his career, his 20.1 average yards per reception is the highest in NFL history among players with at least 300 receptions.

Jacob E. Scott III was an American professional football player who was a free safety and punt returner from 1970 to 1978 for the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Georgia, and was drafted in the 1970 NFL draft in the 7th round, 159th overall pick, by the Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charley Taylor</span> American football player and coach (1941–2022)

Charles Robert Taylor was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, he was selected by Washington in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft. With Taylor, the Redskins made the playoffs five times and reached the Super Bowl once (VII), after the 1972 season. A six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Doll</span> American football player and coach (1926–2010)

Donald LeRoy Doll, also known as Don Burnside, was an American football player and coach.

Thomas Lance Rentzel is a former American football flanker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.

Joe Dan Washington Jr is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Hinton (American football)</span> American football player (born 1947)

Edward Gerald Hinton is an American former professional football wide receiver who played for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Hinton spent four seasons with the Baltimore Colts, including their 1970 Super Bowl winning season, and one season each with the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.

Charles Wayne Speyrer is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins and who, while he played college football for the Texas Longhorns was a principle player in a drive the won Texas the 1969 National Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 Miami Dolphins season</span> 7th season in franchise history; first Super Bowl win and only perfect season in NFL history

The 1972 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's seventh season and third in the National Football League (NFL). The team was led by third-year head coach Don Shula and achieved the only perfect season in NFL history. It also led the league in both points scored and fewest points allowed.

Charles Irving "Charlie" Leigh Sr. was a National Football League (NFL) running back. He was the first and only NFL player to be signed out of high school. He is best known for backing up Larry Csonka and returning kicks for the Miami Dolphins' back to back Super Bowl champions in the 1972 and 1973 seasons. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers. He played a total of six seasons in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Banks</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Brandon Desean Banks is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He was signed by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He also played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. He played college football at Bakersfield College and Kansas State. Originally coming into the NFL at 149 pounds, Banks was the lightest active player in the league. Banks is also currently the lightest player in the CFL at 150 pounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashad Ross</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Rashad Ahmad Ross is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Arizona State University, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans following the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyheim Hines</span> American football player (born 1996)

Nyheim Arthur Hines is an American professional football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Patrick Henry Gibbs is a former American football defensive back who played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).

John Sykes was an American football running back. Sykes played college football at Morgan State University, where he broke several rushing records previously held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly. In his senior year and Morgan State he rushed for 1007 yards on 193 carries. That year he was named an honorable mention to the Little All-America college football team and named to the all-MEAC team.

William Lee Overmyer is a former American football linebacker.

Lawrence Horton is an American former professional football defensive end who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. ↑ Nix, JW (May 20, 2009). "Herb Mul-Key : BETTER Than Invincible". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  2. ↑ Stewart, Larry (August 25, 2006). "'In-Herb-ible' Sounded Bad". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "He's a Pro Now, Not a Semi-". New York Times. December 31, 1972. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Thomy, Al (December 29, 1972). "Merriwell with a hyphen". Atlanta Constitution. p. 2-D. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys - December 9th, 1972". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins - December 17th, 1972". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  7. ↑ Hinckley, David (January 4, 1991). "Allen: An enigma until the end". Daily News. p. 68. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Herb Mul-Key Gamelogs 1972". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  9. ↑ Wallace, William N. (August 18, 1973). "102-Yard Redskins Return Opens Bills' New Stadium". New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ Soltau, Mark (December 21, 1987). "A happy return for Joe Cribbs". San Francisco Examiner. p. F-3. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Washington Redskins at St. Louis Cardinals - September 23rd, 1973". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Herb Mul-Key". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Herb Mul-Key has surgery". South Idaho Press. October 25, 1974. p. 7. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Surgery for Herb Mul-Key". The Times. October 25, 1974. p. 24. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Brady, Dave (April 16, 1975). "Rumors of Injuries, Trades Keeping Mul-Key Guessing". Washington Post. ProQuest   146387736.
  16. ↑ "Baltimore Colts get 'Skins Herb Mul-Key". Intelligencer Journal. June 10, 1975. p. 20. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Pro Probe". Salt Lake City Tribune. January 4, 1976. p. 2F. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Colts Waive Steve Joachim". Lancaster New Era. September 10, 1975. p. 27. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Bacon, Dick (September 16, 1975). "Alouettes counting on Mul-Key to unlock a more potent offence". The Gazette. p. 38. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Roberts, Fred (May 18, 1976). "Alouettes count on recovery of Sherrer". Montreal Star. p. B-7. Retrieved August 23, 2022– via newspapers.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.