 Mul-Key in 1975 | |||||||||||||
| No. 28 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | Running back Kick returner | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1949-11-15)November 15, 1949 (age 76) Atlanta,Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| College | Alabama State | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1972: undrafted | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Herbert Felton Mul-Key (born November 15, 1949) is an American former professionalfootball player who was arunning back for three seasons with theWashington Redskins in theNational Football League (NFL). He was a member of theirSuper Bowl VII squad, and appeared in thePro Bowl in 1973. Born Herbert Mulkey, he hyphenated his name after having it made fun of in school.
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 atAlabama State College but for only one season.[1] After that he worked a series of jobs and served in the Navy. Childhood friendHarold McLinton told Mul-Key of an open try-out for the Redskins. Mul-Key borrowed money from his parents and friends to travel toWashington, D.C. to attend the tryout held byGeorge 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 theDallas Cowboys when NFC rushing leaderLarry Brown was injured.[3][4] In that game he rushed for 60 yards on 8 attempts and returned 6kickoffs for 173 yards.[4][5] He started the next game, the final game of the 1972 regular season, against theBuffalo 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 theGreen Bay Packers and returning 1 kickoff for 15 yards inSuper Bowl VII against theMiami Dolphins.[8]
In pre-season in 1973 Mul-Key ran the first kickoff atRich Stadium back 102 yards for a touchdown.[9] In a game against theSt. Louis Cardinals on September 23, 1973, Mul-Key scored on a 97 yard kickoff return on the play afterDon 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 thePro Bowl after the 1973 season as akick 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 oninjured reserve.[13][14][15]
Mul-Key was traded to theBaltimore 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 theMontreal Alouettes of theCanadian Football League.[18][19] Mul-Key was cut by the Alouettes before the 1976 season.[20]