Don Muhlbach Jr. life and biography

Don Muhlbach Jr. is an National Football League long snapper for the Detroit Lions.

* Re-signed by the Detroit Lions March 2, 2007 to a five-year deal.
* Signed by the Detroit Lions November 9, 2004.
* Released by the Baltimore Ravens August 30, 2004.
* Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Baltimore Ravens April 30, 2004.

PRO:
Muhlbach’s velocity and accuracy places him among the best in the league in his specialty, and he is a critical part of the snap-hold-kick trio that includes P Nick Harris (holder) and K Jason Hanson.

* A deep-snapping specialist who has a crisp and consistent delivery, Muhlbach spent 2004 training camp with Baltimore before joining the Lions later that season and has been the team’s long snapper ever since.
* He has played in 96 career games and has recorded 30 special teams tackles.
* Since Muhlbach teamed up with Harris (holder) and Hanson on the field goal team in 2004, that unit’s accuracy has improved with the most significant increase coming on long-range field goals. Hanson’s field goal accuracy with Muhlbach as the snapper has increased 5.7 percent on overall attempts. That improvement is 15.5 percent for field goals of 40-49 yards, 15.4 percent for field goals 40+ yards and 14.7 percent for field goals of 50+ yards.
* With Muhlbach snapping, Hanson is 41-of-49 (83.7 pct) on field goal attempts of 40-49 yards, 60-of-78 (72.9 pct) from 40+ yards and 19-of-29 (65.5 pct) on 50+-yard field goals.

MANE FACTS:

* Served as Co-Chairman for 17th annual Detroit Lions Invitational golf outing that raised more than $100,000 for Detroit Lions Charities.
* Donated home game tickets to Christ Child House through CATS (Caring Athletes Ticket Service) for Kids program.
* Participated in a free PGA golf lesson with local kids from Think Detroit PAL.
* Has visited to the Lions Academy, an alternative middle school in Detroit, talking to students about the importance of doing well in school.
* Grew up fan of Bruce Matthews and the Dallas Cowboys.
* Brother, Beau, was a member of the Texas A&M Basketball team which made the Sweet 16 in the 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament.
* Uncle, John Muhlbach, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, and is on the board’s executive committee. From 1997-06, he served as chairman.

2010: Serves as the team’s long snapper. Has registered 3 special teams tackles this season.
* Recorded first special teams stop of the season at Minnesota (9/26).

2009: Notched a career-high nine special teams tackles on the season, which tied for third on the team.
* Recorded a tackle and forced fumble at New Orleans (9/13).
* Left game with injury (arm and head) after making a special teams tackle at Baltimore (12/13). His tackle gave him seven on the season which ties a career high, previously set in 2006 and 2008.

2008: Recorded seven special teams tackles on the season, tying a career single-season high.

2007: Appeared in all 16 games this season as team’s long snapper.
* Recorded his first special teams tackle of the season against Chicago (9/30).
* Made his second special teams stop of the year against Kansas City (12/23).

2006: Recorded a career-high seven special teams tackles on the season.
* Recorded one special teams tackle against Seattle (9/10).
* Had two special teams tackles at Chicago (9/17).
* Had one special teams tackle at Arizona (11/19).
* Registered two special teams tackles vs. Miami (11/23).
* Made one special teams tackle at Green Bay (12/17).

2005:
* Won battle for long-snapper position during training camp.
* Assisted on two special teams tackles at Tampa Bay (10/2).
* Inactive vs. Baltimore (10/9), Carolina (10/16) and Cleveland (10/23) due to a knee injury.
* Recorded a special teams tackle at New Orleans (12/24), vs. Minnesota (12/4), at Minnesota (11/6), against Arizona (11/13), and at Dallas (11/20).

2004: Saw action as a long snapper in Weeks 9-17.

COLLEGE: Served as Texas A&M’s snapper in 2003.
* Filled in as punter during his sophomore season with the Aggies.

PERSONAL:
Don Lynn Muhlbach, Jr., is the son of Sally and Don Muhlbach of Lufkin, Texas.
* Born Aug. 17, 1981 in Newark, Ohio.
* Brother, Beau, is a member of the Texas A&M Basketball team which made the Sweet 16 in the 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament.
* His uncle, John Muhlbach, currently is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

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