Herb Mul-key - Washington Redskins (1972-74)

Herb Mul-key played with the Washington Redskins from 1972-74

          In 1972, Herb Mul-key was introduced to a Redskins open tryout camp held by coach George Allen at Georgetown University by his friend and fellow highschool football teammate from Charles Harper High School, Harold McLinton, who was also from Atlanta.  Mul-key played college football for Alabama University as a freshman for one year and then joined the Navy.


          In 1972, the Redskins signed Mul-key, who had no professional experience, on the spot. He was on the roster all year but didn't play until late December against the Cowboys. With Larry Brown hurt, Mul-key stepped into the backfield and stunned the Cowboys and his Redskin teammates. Mul-key ran a kickoff back 102 yards for a touchdown and ended the game with 271 total yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Mul-key started for Larry Brown the following week against the Bills and ran for 123 yards.

          As a relatively unknown player, Mul-Key was so far off the football radar that it led to the following exchange between announcers Tom Brookshier and Pat Summerall during a Sunday game:


“I see that Mul-Key went to "No-Knee" College,” Brookshier said after an impressive kickoff return by Mul-Key. “I’ve never heard of that school...” to which Summerall, after an extended pause, said, “I believe the word is ‘None’ Tom.”




          Mul-key played in Superbowl VII against the Miami Dolphins and was elected to the pro-bowl in 1973.


          Mul-Key went into the 1973 season as the Redskins main kick-return specialist along with Speedy Duncan, and was also used to return punts on occasion. He ended up being third in the NFL that season with 1,114 yards on kick and punt returns.


          Mul-Key led the NFC in kickoff returns and total yardage in 1973, with 36 returns totaling 1,011 yards, including a season-high 97-yard touchdown return.


          On Monday Night Football, Howard Cosell was doing his Halftime Highlights, following a 97 yard kickoff return touchdown by Don Shy of the Cardinals, Washington Redskins player Herb Mul-key returned another kickoff return for 97 yards against the St. Louis Cardinals.


          Cosell's play voice-over recap goes something like... "He's on the 20... the 30... the 35... he cuts upfield... cuts back... the 45... 50... one man to beat.... LOOK... AT... THAT... LITTLE... MONKEY... RUN!"


          In 1974, still having problems with a badly torn rotator cuff, after the 1974 season was over, Mul-key found out from the media that he had been traded to the Baltimore Colts. Though he joined the Colts in training camp, he would end up being cut at the conclusion of the 74 preseason. He then went to play in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes.

Herb Mul-key