Karl Mecklenberg
A Former Denver Broncos captain and All-Pro, Karl Mecklenburg rose from being a college walk-on and a 12th round draft pick to a pro career that included six Pro Bowl and three Super Bowl appearances. Considered the NFL's most versatile player, Karl played all seven defensive front positions. Bronco coaches wanted him at the point of attack and would move him throughout the game. There were many games where Mecklenburg played all 7 positions in the course of a single game.
Since retiring from pro football in 1995, Karl divides his time between family, motivational speaking, and his ongoing charity involvements. Karl and his wife Kathi have three children. The Mecklenburgs still live in Littleton Colorado and attend West Bowles Community Church. In 2001 Karl was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He also serves on the Broncos Alumni Council.
The Mecklenburgs have had a strong commitment to many Colorado charities through the years, which they continue to uphold. In 2006 they formed the Karl Mecklenburg REACH Foundation in an effort to further impact the youth of Colorado. REACH stands for rewarding experiences for all children. A reading program and hands on experiential learning opportunities for Denver area youth develop lifelong passions for learning and a willingness to take on new challenges. Last year 27,000 Denver elementary school students participated in the REACH for a Book program.
Karl has had numerous speaking engagements with church, school and civic groups. Karl and Kathi have both served on the board of directors for Pros With A Purpose. Pros works with Denver Rescue Mission to pair homeless families with community mentor-teams [volunteers]. These teams help the families to help themselves by providing budgeting, spiritual and vocational guidance as well as financial support such as apartment security deposit funds. Karl is a Trustee of Colorado Youth Outdoors. CYO brings high schoolers and their parents together to learn about and experience traditional outdoor sports. Karl has also served as an honorary board member with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Aspen Youth Experience.
Karl has had numerous speaking engagements with church, school and civic groups. Karl and Kathi have both served on the board of directors for Pros With A Purpose. Pros works with Denver Rescue Mission to pair homeless families with community mentor-teams [volunteers]. These teams help the families to help themselves by providing budgeting, spiritual and vocational guidance as well as financial support such as apartment security deposit funds. Karl is a Trustee of Colorado Youth Outdoors. CYO brings high schoolers and their parents together to learn about and experience traditional outdoor sports. Karl has also served as an honorary board member with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Aspen Youth Experience.
Karl is a member of the National Speakers Association. He has enjoyed speaking to a variety of groups over the years, and his story is both humorous and inspirational. The lessons life in the NFL taught him about teamwork, courage, dedication, desire, honesty and forgiveness, and goal setting can be applied anywhere. Mecklenburg has used his special brand of motivation as an assistant football coach at Kent Denver High School. Karl works with Accent Windows as a spokesman. He has hosted a radio program, done television sideline reporting and studio work, written columns for the Denver Post and had magazine articles published. In 1987 he was the coauthor of Meck For The Defense, published by McGraw-Hill. Look for his new book "Heart of a Student Athlete" coming soon.
