Tom Mullen (American football)

Thomas Patrick Mullen was born on November 11, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri.^[1] He attended St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood, Missouri.^[1]

Mullen was a four-year starter and four-year letterman for the Southwest Missouri State Bears of Southwest Missouri State University from 1970 to 1973.^[1][2] He earned honorable mention All-Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) honors in 1971.^[2] He was named unanimous first-team All-MIAA at offensive tackle in both 1972 and 1973.^[2] Mullen also garnered Associated Press honorable mention All-American recognition in 1972 and 1973.^[2] He played defensive line as well during his senior year.^[2] He was selected to play in the Chicago Charities College All-Star Game in 1974 but the game was cancelled due to the 1974 NFL strike.^[2] Mullen was inducted into Southwest Missouri State's athletics hall of fame on November 19, 1983.^[2]

Mullen was selected by the New York Giants in the second round, with the 28th overall pick, of the 1974 NFL draft.^[3] He signed with the team on February 13, 1974.^[4] He played in 11 games, all starts, for the Giants during his rookie year in 1974 and recovered two fumbles.^[3] Mullen was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.^[3] He appeared in 12 games, starting 11 for the second consecutive year, during the 1975 season.^[3] He played in 12 games for the second straight season, all starts, for New York in 1976.^[3] He appeared in eight games, starting three, in 1977 before being placed on injured reserve on November 18, 1977.^[3][4] On August 16, 1978, it was reported that he had retired.^[5] He had suffered a number of injuries during his time with the Giants.^[6] In October, Mullen, who had been seen around the Giants' locker room for several weeks told the media "I'm healthy and I want to play."^[6] The Giants then had to placed Mullen on irrevocable waivers on October 26 in order to sign him again.^[7] However, he was claimed by the St. Louis Cardinals.^[8] Upon joining the Cardinals, Mullen said he retired from football because he was tired of the New York area.^[9] He played in seven games for the Cardinals during the 1978 season.^[3] He voluntarily left Cardinals camp on August 5, 1979, and was then released.^[10]