Gary Mullen (American football)

Mullen attended Clairton High School in Clairton, Pennsylvania.{{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}} While at Clairton, Mullen was a standout member of the football and basketball teams.{{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}} Playing under the guidance of Head Coach Pat Risha, Mullen served as the quarterback and a defensive back for the Bears' football team. As a senior in 1980, Mullen lead the team to the WPIAL Class A football championship game, with a 29–8 victory over Shenango High School,{{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}} but the Bears would lose in the championship game to Laurel High School.{{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}} After the team's title run, Mullen was named The Pittsburgh Press Class A Player of the Year.{{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}} As a senior on the basketball team, Mullen help lead the Bears to a runner up finish in the WPIAL Championship game.{{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}} Mullen was recruited by West Virginia and Minnesota for football, and chose West Virginia because he stated, "it wasn't too far from home and the program was rebuilding."

Mullen attended West Virginia University after high school, where was a member of the Mountaineers football team from 1981 to 1984. After his freshman season, Mullen considered a transfer, but decided to stick it out after speaking with Risha. Mullen spent two years as a reserve wide receiver for the Mountaineers, but he continued to work hard to earn more playing time.{{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}} Mullen earned playing time in 11 games during the 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.{{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}} Mullen's 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. Gary was also part of three Mountaineer bowl game victories: the Peach Bowl in 1981, the Hall of Fame Classic Bowl in 1983, and the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1984.

After not hearing his name called during the 1985 NFL draft, Mullen was signed by the Detroit Lions,{{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}} but was released before the season began.{{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}} In the summer of 1986, Mullen signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers,{{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}} but he was unable to shake a bad case of the flu; Mullen left the Steelers by his own will. Mullen made one final attempt to continue his football career, when he attended a tryout for the upstart Arena Football League. Going into the tryout, Mullen wanted to join the Pittsburgh Gladiators, as they were close to where he grew up.{{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}}

Just one day before Mullen was ready to quit on his football dream and join the U.S. Army, he received a phone call inviting him to try out to play for the Denver Dynamite of the Arena Football League. 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.{{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}} Mullen had an outstanding season for the Dynamite, leading the team in receptions (26), receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (11).{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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. Mullen's one year of experience was heavily leaned on by the Cobras, and Mullen enjoyed being the main target for the Cobras.{{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}} Mullen lead the Cobras with 61 receptions for 823-yards and 17 touchdowns. 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, Chicago Bruisers, with a chance to make it to ArenaBowl II.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-24-sp-10217-story.html| 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}} The Cobras lost 16–29, while Mullen paced the offense with 7 receptions for 78-yards and 1 touchdown. 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.{{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}}

After sitting out the 1989 regular season to get himself more established at his full-time job,{{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}} 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.{{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}} He helped the Drive to a three-peat with a 37-yard touchdown reception, when the Drive defeated the Dallas Texans 51-27 in ArenaBowl IV.{{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}} In 1992, the Drive were again on their way to the ArenaBowl, this time they faced the Orlando Predators.{{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}}

Mullen was acquired by the Cincinnati Rockers for future considerations in 1993.{{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}}

When the Milwaukee Mustangs were formed in 1994, Mullen was selected in their expansion draft. Mullen signed a contract with the Mustangs a few days later.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-JVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2551,499331&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411014048/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-JVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DRMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2551,499331&dq=gary+mullen&hl=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |title=Mustangs sign Mullen |newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel |date=February 3, 1995 |access-date=February 13, 2013 }}

Both of Gary's brothers played professional football. His younger brother Keith Mullen, played arena football in 1991 with the Columbus Thunderbolts,{{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}} while his older brother Davlin Mullen played for the New York Jets.

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{{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:NFL replacement players