Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Gary Mullen (American football)

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|American football player (born 1963)}}
{{Infobox NFL player
|name=Gary Mullen
|image= File:Gary Mullen WVU.png
|position=[[Wide receiver]] / [[Defensive back]]
|number=30, 1
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1963|2|1}}
|birth_place=[[McKeesport, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|height_ft = 5
|height_in = 11
|weight_lbs = 174
|death_date=
|undraftedyear=1985
|high_school = [[Clairton High School|Clairton (PA)]]
|college=[[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]]
|teams=
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1985}})*
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] ({{NFL Year|1986}})*
* [[Denver Dynamite (arena football)|Denver Dynamite]] ({{AFL Year|1987}})
* [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|1987}})
* [[Los Angeles Cobras]] ({{AFL Year|1988}})
* [[Detroit Drive]] ({{AFL Year|1989}}–{{AFL Year|1992}})
* [[Cincinnati Rockers]] ({{AFL Year|1993}})
* [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994-2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]] ({{AFL Year|1995}})
|highlights=
*4× [[ArenaBowl]] champion (1987, 1989, 1990, 1992)
*[[ArenaBowl I]] MVP (1987)
*3× First-team [[All-Arena]] ([[1987 All-Arena Team|1987]], [[1988 All-Arena Team|1988]], [[1990 All-Arena Team|1990]])
*2× Second-team All-Arena ([[1990 All-Arena Team|1990]], [[1991 All-Arena Team|1991]])
*AFL All-Star (1993)
*[[Arena Football Hall of Fame]] (1998)
*All ArenaBowl Team (1999)
*[[Arena Football League 15th Anniversary Team|AFL Second-team 15th Anniversary Team]] (2001)
*AFL 20 Greatest Players - #17 (2006)
*AFL 25 Greatest Players - #25 (2012)
|statlabel1=Games played
|statvalue1=3
|statlabel2=Receptions
|statvalue2=2
|statlabel3=Receiving yards
|statvalue3=33
|aflstatlabel1=Receptions
|aflstatvalue1=254
|aflstatlabel2=Receiving yards
|aflstatvalue2=4,014
|aflstatlabel3=Receiving TDs
|aflstatvalue3=74
|aflstatlabel4=Tackles
|aflstatvalue4=123
|aflstatlabel5=Interceptions
|aflstatvalue5=7
|nfl=2521784
|pfr=M/MullGa20
|afl=1149
}}
'''Gary Mullen''' (born February 1, 1963) is a former professional [[American football]] and [[Arena football]] player who played [[wide receiver]] and [[defensive back]] for eight seasons for the [[Denver Dynamite (arena football)|Denver Dynamite]], [[Chicago Bears]], [[Los Angeles Cobras]], [[Detroit Drive]], [[Cincinnati Rockers]] and the [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994-2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]]. He was elected into the [[Arena Football Hall of Fame]] in 1998.

==Early life==
Mullen attended [[Clairton High School]] in [[Clairton, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="service">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19870702&id=ttZRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IW4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3298,964435 |title=Arena Football kept Gary Mullen out of the service |author=Michael Emery |date=July 2, 1987 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=January 28, 2013}}</ref> While at Clairton, Mullen was a standout member of the football and basketball teams.<ref name="basketball">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=padRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yG0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4195,5439269&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Late-arrival Mullen spurs Clairton basketball victory |author=Paul Dangelo |date=November 27, 1980 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> Playing under the guidance of Head Coach Pat Risha, Mullen served as the quarterback and a defensive back for the Bears' football team.<ref name="basketball"/> As a senior in 1980, Mullen lead the team to the [[WPIAL]] Class A football championship game, with a 29–8 victory over [[Shenango Area School District|Shenango High School]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=smQdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4122,7092159&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Clairton Defense With Punch. Knocks Out Shenango, 29-8 |author=Dave Herbst |date=November 15, 1980 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |access-date=February 14, 2013}}</ref> but the Bears would lose in the championship game to Laurel High School.<ref name="basketball"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n6dRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yG0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2769,3642140&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Bears meet Laurel for Class A crown |author=Mike Siberini |date=November 20, 1980 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 14, 2013}}</ref> After the team's title run, Mullen was named [[The Pittsburgh Press]] Class A Player of the Year.<ref name="contrasts">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pkocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A2AEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4960,3378764&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Mullen A Study In Contrasts |author=Gerry Dulac |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=October 7, 1982 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}</ref> As a senior on the basketball team, Mullen help lead the Bears to a runner up finish in the WPIAL Championship game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UIFIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qW0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4469,3603101&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Clairton razes Kane |date=March 21, 1981 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> Mullen was recruited by [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]] and [[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|Minnesota]] for football, and chose West Virginia because he stated, "it wasn't too far from home and the program was rebuilding."<ref name="contrasts"/>

==College career==
Mullen attended [[West Virginia University]] after high school, where was a member of the Mountaineers football team from 1981 to 1984.<ref name="service" /> After his freshman season, Mullen considered a transfer, but decided to stick it out after speaking with Risha.<ref name="contrasts"/> Mullen spent two years as a reserve wide receiver for the Mountaineers, but he continued to work hard to earn more playing time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aZ5RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pG0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6858,4279430&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Sweeney, Mullen have few lazy, summer days |author=Jim Lachimia |date=July 21, 1983 |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> Mullen earned playing time in 11 games during the [[1983 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|1983 season]], amassing 19 receptions for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Mullen was also utilized as a [[kickoff returner]], returning 12 kicks for 237 yards.<ref name="Gary Mullen WVU">{{cite web|last=DeVault|first=Mark|title=Gary Mullen|url=http://wvustats.com/football/player/908|publisher=West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics|access-date=April 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630171055/http://wvustats.com/football/player/908|archive-date=June 30, 2013}}</ref> Mullen's [[1984 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|senior year]] at West Virginia was his most productive statistically, as he caught 31 passes for 557 yards and three touchdowns. In total, Mullen amassed 80 receptions for 1,332 yards and six touchdowns during his collegiate career.<ref name="Gary Mullen WVU"/> Gary was also part of three Mountaineer bowl game victories: the [[1981 Peach Bowl (December)|Peach Bowl]] in 1981, the [[1983 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl|Hall of Fame Classic Bowl]] in 1983, and the [[Bluebonnet Bowl]] in 1984.

==Professional career==
After not hearing his name called during the [[1985 NFL Draft]], Mullen was signed by the [[Detroit Lions]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3exeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DVQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3196,5881595&dq=gary+mullen+detroit&hl=en |title=Transactions |date=August 14, 1985 |newspaper=St. Joseph Gazette |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> but was released before the season began.<ref name="tryout">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s8tRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6m0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3187,4631427&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=One more time |author=Gary Tuma |date=May 14, 1987 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> In the summer of 1986, Mullen signed with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZBhcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-FQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3834,3485742&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Sports news in brief |date=May 22, 1986 |newspaper=The Vindicator |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> but he was unable to shake a bad case of the [[flu]]; Mullen left the Steelers by his own will.<ref name="tryout"/> Mullen made one final attempt to continue his football career, when he attended a tryout for the upstart [[Arena Football League]].<ref name="tryout"/> Going into the tryout, Mullen wanted to join the Pittsburgh Gladiators, as they were close to where he grew up.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7IMcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qWMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6937,4645330&dq=gary+mullen+detroit&hl=en |title=Mullen's payback hits home |author=Merlisa Lawrence |date=July 27, 1990 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref>

===Denver Dynamite===
Just one day before Mullen was ready to quit on his football dream and join the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], he received a phone call inviting him to try out to play for the [[Denver Dynamite (arena football)|Denver Dynamite]] of the [[Arena Football League]].<ref name="service" /> Mullen became a focal point for the Dynamite offense, but with the Arena Football League then making players play both ways, he was also a key player on defense. Mullen didn't take the lack of a defensive background as an excuse to not play hard on defense.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jJMcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M2MEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1389,584964&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Mullen comes home to settle score with the Gladiators |date=July 17, 1987 |author=Gerry Dulac |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> Mullen had an outstanding season for the Dynamite, leading the team in receptions (26), receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (11).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=history&team=4&year=1987&team=4 |title=1987 Denver Dynamite Team History |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=January 28, 2013}}</ref> The Dynamite tied for the best record in the AFL, which earned them a spot in [[ArenaBowl I]]. Mullen won ArenaBowl I MVP during his team's 45–16 victory over the Pittsburgh Gladiators.<ref name="again">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19880310&id=jtRRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8m0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6844,3534450 |title=Gary Mullen set to play Arena Football again, but doesn't know where |author=Gary Tuma |date=March 10, 1988 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=January 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Chicago Bears===
Mullen's play during the 1987 season earned him a chance to play for the [[Chicago Bears]] during the [[1987 NFL strike]]. He played in all three games that the strike lasted, making two career receptions for 33 yards.<ref name="fizzled">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/library/2012/10/22/denver-dynamite-fizzled-oneseason-team-football-leagues-arenabowl/ |title=Denver Dynamite exploded in Arena League's first season, then fizzled out |date=October 22, 2012 |author=Joey Bunch |newspaper=The Denver Post |access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref>

===Los Angeles Cobras===
After the Dynamite suspended operations during the 1988 season, Mullen went to play for the expansion [[Los Angeles Cobras]] as they owned the rights to all Dynamite players.<ref name="again" /> Mullen's one year of experience was heavily leaned on by the Cobras, and Mullen enjoyed being the main target for the Cobras.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QxwhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WWMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6564,1429217&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Mullen displays his ture colors in Arena Football |date=May 17, 1988 |author=Kelly Carter |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> Mullen lead the Cobras with 61 receptions for 823-yards and 17 touchdowns.<ref name="fizzled" /> The Cobras finished in 4th place, which was good enough to earn them the 4th seed in the playoffs. They were matched against the 1 seed, [[1988 Chicago Bruisers season|Chicago Bruisers]], with a chance to make it to [[ArenaBowl II]].<ref name="cobras">{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1988-07-24/sports/sp-10217_1_chicago-bruisers| title=Cobras Fall One Short of Arena Football Final : Chicago Bruisers Knock Los Angeles Out of Playoffs With a 29-16 Victory |author=Lonnie White |date=July 24, 1988 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> The Cobras lost 16–29, while Mullen paced the offense with 7 receptions for 78-yards and 1 touchdown.<ref name="cobras" /> After the season ended, the Cobras, as well as other teams, folded and the league playing again in 1989 looked in doubt. When they league announced that they would be playing in May, Mullen said that he would not play in 1989 due to all the pay cuts he would be receiving.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19890622&id=QOlRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zm4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1875,6873002 |title=Clairton's Gary Mullen says no to Arena Football |date=June 22, 1989 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref>

===Detroit Drive===
After sitting out the 1989 regular season to get himself more established at his full-time job,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z_FRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yG4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6468,5790739&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Mullen takes his summer vacation in Arena Football |author=Paul Jayes |date=June 21, 1990 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> Mullen signed with the [[Detroit Drive]] during their playoff run. The Drive won [[ArenaBowl III]]. Mullen returned to the Drive in 1991, and teamed with fellow WR/DB [[George LaFrance]] and QB [[Art Schlichter]], the Drive's offense stood as one of the most challenging to defend.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3YxGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vekMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1481,3691154&dq=gary+mullen+detroit&hl=en |title=Schlichter-led Drive poses challenge to Firebirds' defense |date=June 15, 1991 |author=Tom Boggie |newspaper=The Daily Gazette |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> He helped the Drive to a three-peat with a 37-yard touchdown reception, when the Drive defeated the [[Dallas Texans (Arena)|Dallas Texans]] 51-27 in [[ArenaBowl IV]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dWciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ua0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1707,3465449&dq=gary+mullen+detroit&hl=en |title=Schlichter drives Detroit to another Arena football title |date=August 13, 1990 |newspaper=The Argus-Press |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> In 1992, the Drive were again on their way to the [[ArenaBowl VI|ArenaBowl]], this time they faced the [[Orlando Predators]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Dt0vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TPwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3663,736084&dq=gary+mullen+detroit&hl=en |title=Predators strive for win over Drive in ArenaBowl tonight |date=August 22, 1992 |author=Arthur R. Brown Jr. |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref>

===Cincinnati Rockers===
Mullen was acquired by the [[Cincinnati Rockers]] for future considerations in 1993.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/11/sports/transactions-109793.html |title=Transactions |date=June 11, 1993 |newspaper=New York Times |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref>

===Milwaukee Mustangs===
When the [[Milwaukee Mustangs (1994-2001)|Milwaukee Mustangs]] were formed in 1994, Mullen was selected in their expansion draft. Mullen signed a contract with the Mustangs a few days later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-JVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2551,499331&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Mustangs sign Mullen |newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel |date=February 3, 1995 |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref>

==Personal==
Both of Gary's brothers played professional football. His younger brother Keith Mullen, played arena football in 1991 with the [[Columbus Thunderbolts]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9xwhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5mMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1741,1070478&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |title=Clairton brothers brace for 'Arena' showdown |author=Joe Bendel |date=July 17, 1991 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |access-date=February 14, 2013}}</ref> while his older brother Davlin Mullen played for the [[New York Jets]].

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{ArenaBowl I}}
{{ArenaBowl MVPs}}
{{ArenaBowl III}}
{{ArenaBowl IV}}
{{ArenaBowl VI}}
{{AFL15}}
{{Denver Dynamite}}
{{Los Angeles Cobras}}
{{Massachusetts Marauders}}
{{Cincinnati Rockers}}
{{Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)}}
{{Arena Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullen, Gary}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American football wide receivers]]
[[Category:West Virginia Mountaineers football players]]
[[Category:Denver Dynamite (arena football) players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Cobras players]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Rockers players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001) players]]
[[Category:Detroit Drive players]]
[[Category:National Football League replacement players]]
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