Horst Muhlmann
Encyclopedia
Horst Herbert Erich Muhlmann (January 2, 1940 in Dortmund – November 17, 1991 in Selm) was a former professional American football
player. He was a placekicker
in the American Football League
and the National Football League
for nine seasons. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs
(1969), the Cincinnati Bengals
(from 1969–1974) and the Philadelphia Eagles
(from 1975–1977).
Muhlmann (German spelling "Mühlmann") was born in Dortmund, Germany
. After high school
, he worked as a bricklayer
and part-time soccer player. He played as a goalkeeper
for Schalke 04 from 1962 to 1966, including the first ever Bundesliga (German soccer's top league) season in 1963-1964. In 1968, he played soccer in the North American Soccer League
(NASL) for the Kansas City Spurs
.
His professional career in American football
began in 1969 with the Kansas City Chiefs when he was 29 years old. Muhlmann quickly established a reputation as one of the longest kickers in the game. On September 4, 1971, in a pre-season encounter with the Green Bay Packers
, he launched each of his six kickoffs
over the crossbar into the endzone denying the Packers a single kickoff return yard. Muhlmann was the first kicker since the AFL-NFL merger to connect on field goals of 50 yards or more in three consecutive games. This record has only been matched by three other players: Tom Dempsey
(1971), Chris Bahr
(1981) and Jason Elam
(1996). Muhlmann held the Bengals team record for consecutive extra points (101) until it was broken by Doug Pelfrey
in 1997. Muhlmann still holds or shares several Bengals regular season and post season individual kicking records.
The money Muhlmann earned during his time in the U.S. he invested in an apartment house in Selm where he lived with his family until he died from a long chronic disease. The Horst Muhlmann Bars are located in the North and South endzones on the Plaza level of Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He was a placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
in the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
and the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for nine seasons. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(1969), the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
(from 1969–1974) and the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(from 1975–1977).
Muhlmann (German spelling "Mühlmann") was born in Dortmund, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. After high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, he worked as a bricklayer
Bricklayer
A bricklayer or mason is a craftsman who lays bricks to construct brickwork. The term also refers to personnel who use blocks to construct blockwork walls and other forms of masonry. In British and Australian English, a bricklayer is colloquially known as a "brickie".The training of a trade in...
and part-time soccer player. He played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
for Schalke 04 from 1962 to 1966, including the first ever Bundesliga (German soccer's top league) season in 1963-1964. In 1968, he played soccer in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) for the Kansas City Spurs
Kansas City Spurs
The Kansas City Spurs were a soccer team who played in the North American Soccer League, based in Kansas City, Missouri. They played their home games at Kansas City Municipal Stadium, former home of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals...
.
His professional career in American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
began in 1969 with the Kansas City Chiefs when he was 29 years old. Muhlmann quickly established a reputation as one of the longest kickers in the game. On September 4, 1971, in a pre-season encounter with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, he launched each of his six kickoffs
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
over the crossbar into the endzone denying the Packers a single kickoff return yard. Muhlmann was the first kicker since the AFL-NFL merger to connect on field goals of 50 yards or more in three consecutive games. This record has only been matched by three other players: Tom Dempsey
Tom Dempsey
Thomas Dempsey is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints , Philadelphia Eagles , Los Angeles Rams , Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills . He attended high school at San Dieguito High School and played college football at Palomar College...
(1971), Chris Bahr
Chris Bahr
Chris Bahr is a former professional American football and soccer player. He was a placekicker in the National Football League and played midfielder in the North American Soccer League.-Soccer:...
(1981) and Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
(1996). Muhlmann held the Bengals team record for consecutive extra points (101) until it was broken by Doug Pelfrey
Doug Pelfrey
Doug Pelfrey is a former American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals and the University of Kentucky Wildcats....
in 1997. Muhlmann still holds or shares several Bengals regular season and post season individual kicking records.
The money Muhlmann earned during his time in the U.S. he invested in an apartment house in Selm where he lived with his family until he died from a long chronic disease. The Horst Muhlmann Bars are located in the North and South endzones on the Plaza level of Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...
.