Karl Mecklenburg
Encyclopedia
Karl Mecklenburg is a former American football
player
for the Denver Broncos
in the National Football League
.
, the Denver Broncos drafted Karl Mecklenburg in the 12th round with the 310th pick overall. In spite of his low selection, Mecklenburg went on to become an integral part of the Broncos' Super Bowl
teams of the 1980s. He played in six Pro Bowl
s. His 79.5 sacks
is the second highest total in franchise history. In 2001, during half time of a game against the Baltimore Ravens
, he and Dennis Smith were inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. He is also in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and serves on the Broncos Alumni Council.
Since retiring from pro football in 1994 because of injury, Mecklenburg divides his time between family, motivational speaking
, and his ongoing charity involvements. Karl and his wife Kathi have three children (two sons, Luke and Jeff, and a daughter, Kelsey, all of whom attended Community School for the Gifted; Luke was, in fact, one of the first students to attend CSG). The Mecklenburgs reside in Littleton, Colorado
. He has two brothers, Eric and Fred Mecklenburg and a sister, Carol.
His nickname as a Bronco was 'The Snow Goose' or 'The Albino Rhino'.
Karel Wegert, the director of his charity, cites Mecklenburg as being very hands on and involved in all facets of the foundation.
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
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 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...
.
National Football League
In 19831983 NFL Draft
The 1983 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1983...
, the Denver Broncos drafted Karl Mecklenburg in the 12th round with the 310th pick overall. In spite of his low selection, Mecklenburg went on to become an integral part of the Broncos' Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
teams of the 1980s. He played in six Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
s. His 79.5 sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
is the second highest total in franchise history. In 2001, during half time of a game against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, he and Dennis Smith were inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. He is also in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and serves on the Broncos Alumni Council.
Since retiring from pro football in 1994 because of injury, Mecklenburg divides his time between family, motivational speaking
Motivational speaking
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
, and his ongoing charity involvements. Karl and his wife Kathi have three children (two sons, Luke and Jeff, and a daughter, Kelsey, all of whom attended Community School for the Gifted; Luke was, in fact, one of the first students to attend CSG). The Mecklenburgs reside in Littleton, Colorado
Littleton, Colorado
Littleton is a Home Rule Municipality contained in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Littleton is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area. Littleton is the county seat of Arapahoe County and the 20th most populous city in the state of...
. He has two brothers, Eric and Fred Mecklenburg and a sister, Carol.
His nickname as a Bronco was 'The Snow Goose' or 'The Albino Rhino'.
Charity work
Mecklenburg is the founder of the REACH Foundation . It is the mission of Karl Mecklenburg's REACH (Rewarding Experiences for All Children) Foundation to provide Denver area children and youth with educational opportunities and resources needed to excel in the classroom and in life. The Foundation's interactive programs and events are designed to help build a strong foundation through education and outdoor experiences.Karel Wegert, the director of his charity, cites Mecklenburg as being very hands on and involved in all facets of the foundation.