Don Muhlbach

Don Muhlbach

No. 48  Detroit Lions
Position:	Long snapper / Tight End
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1981-08-17) August 17, 1981
Place of birth:	Newark, Ohio
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lufkin (TX)
College:	Texas A&M
Undrafted:	2004
Career history
Baltimore Ravens (2004)* Detroit Lions (2004–Present) *Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2012)
Career NFL statistics as of 2012
Games played:	132
Tackles:	21
Fumbles recovered:	0
Stats at NFL.com

Don Muhlbach (born August 17, 1981) is an American football long snapper for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).^[1] Muhlbach played college football for Texas A&M University. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens, and has played his entire NFL career for the Detroit Lions.

High school career

Muhlbach attended Lufkin High School in Lufkin, Texas. As a senior football player, he was the Lufkin special team's most valuable player, and earned Academic All-District honors.

College career

Muhlbach attended Texas A&M University, where he served as the team's long snapper for the 2003 season. He also saw action at punter as a sophomore during the 2001 season.

Professional career

Muhlbach signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens on April 30, 2004. He spent the summer and OTAs with the Ravens before being released during training camp on August 30, 2004. On November 10, 2004, the Detroit Lions signed him as a replacement for injured long snapper Jody Littleton.^[2][3]

Early in his Lions career, Muhlbach overcame the adversity brought on by a botched snap against the Minnesota Vikings in a December 20, 2004 game. Holder Nick Harris was unable to cleanly field a bounced snap on a PAT attempt with 8 seconds remaining in the game. The missed PAT and unsuccessful onside kick resulted in the Lions falling in regulation to the Vikings 28-27. Had the PAT been successful, the game likely would have gone to overtime, giving the Lions an opportunity for a win.^[4] The Lions faith in Muhlbach has paid off, as through the 2012 NFL season, he has yet to bounce or botch another snap.^[5]

Upon signing with the Lions, Muhlbach was described as "the Nolan Ryan of long snappers" by then-general manager Matt Millen. Millen was referring to the speed at which the ball is snapped to the holder or punter, with Muhlbach having the quickest snaps of those the team timed.^[6]

Muhlbach has played in every Lions game since 2005, except for week 15 of the 2009 season due to a concussion. The Lions signed Nathan Hodel as an injury replacement, and Muhlbach returned for week 16.^[7]

On January 15, 2013, Muhlbach was added to the NFC 2013 Pro Bowl roster by NFC head coach and Green Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.^[8] This was his first Pro Bowl, and the first Lions special teams player to make a Pro Bowl that was not a kicker, punter, or kick returner.^[9]

On February 27, 2015, the Lions re-signed Muhlbach to a one-year contract.^[10]

Personal

Muhlbach is married to Alix Koetting. On Aug. 24, 2012 they gave birth to their first daughter Addison. His uncle, John Muhlbach, was a center for Ohio State University.^[1]

References