Muller, "Brick" (Harold P.)
Football
b. June 12, 1901, Dunsmuir, CA
d. May 17, 1962
More than anyone, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Muller brought West Coast football into national prominence. An end at the University of California, Muller was an outstanding pass receiver who could catch the much fatter ball of his time with one hand. He was also an outstanding passer.
In the 1921 Rose Bowl, when Muller was a sophomore, California was an underdog against unbeaten Ohio State. Muller caught 5 passes, had 2 interceptions, recovered 3 fumbles, and threw 3 completions in a 28-0 upset. He also got downfield under punts so fast that Ohio State couldn't return any kicks.
One of the passes he threw made Ripley's "Believe It or Not" newspaper series, which reported that it traveled 70 yards through the air. A sportswriter on the scene, however, said it went "only" 53 yards.
Muller and tackle Dan McMillan were the first California players to be named to the All-American team, in 1921, and Muller repeated in 1922 even though he missed much playing time because of an infected leg. A fine all-around athlete, Muller won a silver medal in the high jump at the 1920 Olympics.
He played for the NFL's first West Coast team, the Los Angeles Buccaneers, in 1926, and was an assistant coach at his alma mater while working for his medical degree. He was the head physician for the 1956 Olympic team.