Coming from Wake Forest and taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft, few people would have thought Ovie Mughelli would have become football gold.
He did, though, as he became the highest paid fullback ever in the NFL when he signed a six-year, $18 million contract with the Falcons in 2007, which included a $5 million signing bonus.
But Mughelli himself never really thought much about the NFL when he was growing up in Charleston, S.C. In fact, when he was at the Porter-Gaud private school, his focus was mainly on academics.
His high school football career was a good one, but it came at the lower classification, where he rushed for 4,500 and 69 touchdowns, including 2,167 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. He also played baseball, ran track and swung the tennis racket, and the only Division I school that offered him a scholarship was Wake Forest.
It was an easy choice for Mughelli, attending a top academic school while also getting to play football.
In college under coach Jim Caldwell, Mughelli moved to fullback and didn’t get a chance to run the ball much. He played in 43 games during his career with the Demon Deacons, but rushed just 137 times for 530 yards. With his father a doctor as well as his sister, he spent as much time in the library as on the football field, but as a senior he broke out as one of the nation’s top fullbacks, scoring 12 times as Wake Forest went 7-6 and to the Seattle Bowl. Also, he perfected the blocking part of his game as well as becoming sure-handed out of the backfield.
Mughelli graduated on time in 2003 with his class with a degree in health and exercise science, but wasn’t drafted until the 134th overall pick, when he was selected by Baltimore. With the Ravens he would further hone his fullback skills, blocking for Jamal Lewis. On the scout team, he practiced daily against greats like Ray Lewis, and he had four good seasons, making the All-Pro team in 2006.
At that point, represented by Atlanta agent Todd France, Mughelli became a hot commodity on the free-agent market, and the Falcons were desperately looking for a fullback to block for Warrick Dunn. He was signed to the big contract, but it was also the same year that quarterback Michael Vick was convicted of federal dogfighting charges. Coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team after the 13th game of the season, and the Falcons finished 4-12.
But it quickly turned around for the Falcons and Mughelli as coach Mike Smith was hired and free agent running back Michael Turner replaced Dunn.
In a league where the fullback rarely touches the ball, he became a battering ram for Turner as well as a consistent receiver out of the backfield. He missed only two games in his first four years with the Falcons and in 2010 was named All-Pro again and also made his first Pro Bowl. He hurt his right knee in 2011, missed the last nine games and was released the next May.
He tried to make a comeback with the St. Louis Rams, but didn’t make it through training camp and retired. In 107 NFL games, he rushed the ball only 420 times for 420 yards and one touchdown and caught 62 passes for 490 yards and six touchdowns, but is best known as one of the most punishing blockers in the game over the past 20 years.
Where he lives: Mughelli, now 35, lives in Duluth with his wife, Masika, and they have three children: Olivia, Nesia and Obasi.
What he does now: Mughelli has been busy in the fields of business, philanthropy, television and radio. He can be seen and heard this upcoming football working in both television and radio with CBS Sports Radio, 680 The Fan and SEC Gridiron Live. His love of sports that led him to a career in sports broadcasting is matched by a passion for the environment. The Ovie Mughelli Foundation aims to teach adults and kids about the benefits and importance of living green, and his wife serves as the executive director.
On his parents stressing the importance of academics: "It was always take care of business in the classroom. I was told only one percent made it to the NFL, and sports was just a hobby for me in high school, a way to stay busy outside the classroom. But that changed my senior year when some of the accolades came in.''
On going to Wake Forest: "I wanted to go to an academic school, and they made it easy for me as they were the only school that offered. I went there a boy and left a man. I have a lot of praise for Jim Caldwell, as he came to my house and told me football wouldn't take away from my academic experience.''
On getting the chance to play in the NFL: "Like college, I didn't think there was a chance for that until later in my college career. I didn't think football would pay the bills, and (instead) I would get into the medical field. But all of a sudden I was rated the top fullback going into the draft.
On being taken by the Ravens: "I thought I was going to go second round and when I didn't, went into my room and started playing video games. I then got a call from the Ravens and (coach) Brian Billick who said he was excited to have me. I was excited to get the chance to block for Jamal Lewis, and that first training camp was rough. I realized that Ray Lewis was going to be one of my sparing partners, and it was a murderers row of linebackers. I just tried to survive, but it made me a much better player.''
On the contract with the Falcons: "I knew it was my contract year and knew it was time to leave it on the table and show people what I could do. For two months, I trained and didn't get to see my family. My agent told me to trust him and the Falcons, Giants and Buccaneers got into a bidding war. Todd kept saying trust me as he pushed up the number, and it worked.''
On his first season with the Falcons: "Not a lot of fun with what happened with Michael (Vick) and the head coach, but things really changed when all of sudden we had Michael Turner, Matt Ryan and Mike Smith. The whole environment changed. Also, (offensive coordinator) Mike Mularkey told me we are going to run the ball and that Michael Turner and myself are going to the stars of the offense. He followed through with that. He said we were going to be the bullies and send that message to the other team.''
On retiring: "I hurt the knee, and when I came back I just didn't feel like I could move the same I had. I also had enough concussions for two careers and felt I could walk away healthy.''
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