Guido Merkens

Guido Albert Merkens Jr. (born August 14, 1955) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, punter and defensive back for 10 seasons for the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He became synonymous with the kind of player who did not excel at any one position, but was valuable because he could fill in at so many positions.

Early life and college Merkens was born on August 14, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas. Merkens’s father Guido Sr., served as founding pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio and was a vice president of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Merkens was a 1973 graduate of Edison High School in San Antonio, where he played offense and defense on the football team.

He then played college football at both quarterback and defensive back for the Sam Houston Bearkats. He was also a punter and kicker during his first two years. In his final two college seasons, Merkens focused more on playing quarterback, though he was still starting at cornerback early in his junior year. As a senior, he was able to focus solely on playing quarterback. His versatility became a hallmark of his professional career.

Professional football

Houston Oilers Merkens was not drafted by any NFL team, and he pursued teams as a free agent, seeking tryouts. For two years, he never reached any team's training camp. He returned to Sam Houston to pursue a master's degree and joined a softball team, where he met former NFL punter and Houston Oilers' scout Jerrel Wilson. Wilson helped Merkens reach out to NFL teams, and he was invited to the Oilers' training camp in 1978. The team cut Merkens, but soon called him back, and he made the Oilers team.

Merkens played his first two seasons in the NFL for the Oilers. In Merkens’s words "'I got here by being able to do a little bit of everything. I made it as a utility man. And the other players have accepted my role. They understand that my position is no position’". Phillips became Merkens's coach again when he took over the Saints for the 1981 season, and led the team through 1985. During his tenure with the Saints, Merkins served as the third-string quarterback, holder for field goals and a "primary" special teams player; with occasional time as a wide receiver, punter or safety. He also handled some kickoff and punt returns. His penchant for being the emergency backup for all of the aforementioned positions furthered his reputation as a "jack of all trades". In 1981, he reached number three receiver status, starting a career-high eleven games, with 29 receptions, 458 yards and one touchdown. Merkens was sacked 10 times by the Chicago Bears replacement team in his first game, a 35–3 loss.

Later life In 2007, Merkens was general manager of a CarMax dealership in the Houston.

Merkens was inducted into the Sam Houston Hall of Honor in 1988.