Guido Merkens

Who is Guido Merkens?

Guido Albert Merkens, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, punter and Defensive Back for ten seasons for the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.

Merkens was a 1982 graduate of Edison High School in San Antonio, then played both quarterback and defensive back for Sam Houston State University. His versatility became a hallmark of his professional career. 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 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".