Gary Mullen ( American football ) Gary Mullen ( born February 1 , 1963 in McKeesport , Pennsylvania ) is a former professional American football and Arena football player who played wide receiver and defensive back for eight seasons for the Denver Dynamite , Chicago Bears , Los Angeles Cobras , Detroit Drive , Cincinnati Rockers and the Milwaukee Mustangs . He was elected into the Arena Football League ' s Hall of Fame in 1998 . Early life . Mullen attended Clairton High School in Clairton , Pennsylvania . While at Clairton , Mullen was a standout member of the football and basketball teams . Playing under the guidance of Head Coach Pat Risha , Mullen served as the quarterback and a defensive back for the Bears ' football team . As a senior in 1980 , Mullen lead the team to the WPIAL Class A football championship game , with a 29 - 8 victory over High School , but the Bears would lose in the championship game to Laurel High School . After the team ' s title run , Mullen was named The Pittsburgh Press Class A Player of the Year . As a senior on the basketball team , Mullen help lead the Bears to a runner up finish in the WPIAL Championship game . Mullen was recruited by West Virginia and Minnesota for football , and chose West Virginia because he stated , " it wasn ' t too far from home and the program was rebuilding . " College career . Mullen attended the University of West Virginia after high school . He was a member of the Mountaineers ' football team from 1981 to 1984 . After his freshman season , Mullen considered a transfer , but decided to stick it out after speaking with Risha . Mullen spent two years as a reserve wide receiver for the Mountaineers , but he continued to work hard to earn more playing time . Professional career . After not hearing his named called during the 1985 NFL Draft , Mullen was signed by the Detroit Lions , but was released before the season began . In the summer of 1986 , Mullen signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers , but he was unable to shake a bad case of the flu , Mullen left the Steelers by his own will . Mullen made one final attempt to continue his football career , when he attended a tryout for the upstart , Arena Football League . Going into the tryout Mullen wanted to join the Pittsburgh Gladiators , as they were close to where he grew up . Denver Dynamite . Just one day before Mullen was ready to quit on his football dream and join the U . S . Army , when he received a phone call to play for the Dever Dynamite of the upstart Arena Football League . Mullen was part of the focal point for the Dynamite offense , but with the Arena Football League making players play both ways , he was also a key player on defense . Mullen didn ' t take the lack of a defensive background as an excuse to not play hard on defense . Mullen had an outstanding season for the Dynamite , leading the team in Receptions ( 26 ) , Receiving yards ( 502 ) and Receiving touchdowns ( 11 ) . The Dynamite would tie for the best record in the AFL , which earned them a spot in ArenaBowl I . Mullen won ArenaBowl I MVP during his team ' s 45 - 16 victory over the Pittsburgh Gladiators . Chicago Bears . Mullen ' s play during the 1987 season , earned him a chance to play for the Chicago Bears during the 1987 NFL strike . He played in all 3 games that the strike lasted , making two career receptions for 33 yards . Los Angeles Cobras . After the Dynamite suspended operations during the 1988 season , Mullen went to play for the expansion Los Angeles Cobras as they owned the rights to all Dynamite players . Mullen ' s one year of experience was heavily leaned on by the Cobras , and Mullen enjoyed being the main target for the Cobras . Mullen lead the Cobras with 61 receptions for 823 - yards and 17 touchdowns . The Cobras finished in 4th place , which was good enough to earn them the 4 seed in the playoffs . They were matched against the 1 seed , Chicago Bruisers , with a chance to make it to ArenaBowl II . The Cobras lost 16 - 29 , while Mullen paced the offense with 7 receptions for 78 - yards and 1 touchdown . After the season ended , the Cobras , as well as other teams , folded and the league playing again in 1989 looked in doubt . When they league announced that they would be playing in May , Mullen said that he would not play in 1989 due to all the pay cuts he would be receiving . Detroit Drive . After sitting out the 1989 regular season to get himself more established at his full - time job , Mullen signed with the Detroit Drive during their playoff run . The Drive won ArenaBowl III . Mullen returned to the Drive in 1991 , and teamed with fellow WR / DB George LaFrance and QB Art Schlichter , the Drive ' s offense stood as one of the most challenging to defend . He helped the Drive to a three - peat with a 37 - yard touchdown reception , when the Drive defeated the Dallas Texans 51 - 27 in ArenaBowl IV . In 1992 , the Drive were again on their way to the ArenaBowl , this time they faced the Orlando Predators . Cincinnati Rockers . Mullen was acquired by the Cincinnati Rockers for future considerations in 1993 . Milwaukee Mustangs . When the Milwaukee Mustangs were formed in 1994 , Mullen was selected in their expansion draft . Mullen signed a contract with the Mustangs a few days later . Personal . Both of Gary ' s brothers played professional football . His younger brother Keith Mullen , played arena football in 1991 with the Columbus Thunderbolts , while his older brother Davlin Mullen played for the New York Jets .