| No. 29, 12, 26, 19 | |
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| Position: | Quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, punter, return specialist |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | August 14, 1955 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Edison (San Antonio) |
| College: | Sam Houston State |
| Undrafted: | 1977 |
| Career history | |
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).
Merkens was a 1973 graduate of Edison High School in San Antonio. He then played college football at both quarterback and defensive back for the Sam Houston Bearkats. His versatility became a hallmark of his professional career.[1] In his first two seasons in the NFL, he was primarily a punt return specialist. During his tenure with the Saints, he served as the third-string quarterback, holder for field goals and special teams player; with occasional time as a wide receiver, punter or safety. His penchant for being the emergency backup for all of the aforementioned positions earned him the reputation of a "jack of all trades".[2]
Merkens' 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.[3]
In 2007, Merkens was general manager of a CarMax dealership in the city.[4]