Karl Mecklenburg rose from a college walk-on and twelfth-round draft choice to an NFL career that included three Super Bowl and six Pro Bowl appearances. The former Broncos captain spent his entire twelve-year career in Denver and makes Colorado his home now. Mecklenburg was arguably the most versatile player in the NFL, playing all seven defensive front positions — often in the course of a single game.

Karl was selected as the AFC Linebacker of the Year and AFC Player of the Year, and since retiring from the NFL has been enshrined in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Mecklenburg has been a Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalist each of the last six years.

Karl and his wife Kathi continue their charitable commitment to Colorado — working with Empower Retirement and Foodbank of the Rockies to supply 500 area students with weekly food totes so they can have nutritious food on the weekends. They also serve as the Broncos representative for Taste of the NFL. His latest book, Heart of a Student Athlete: All Pro Advice for Competitors and Their Families, offers advice to young athletes and their loved ones about what it really takes to be successful in sports and life.

Mecklenburg is the only NFL legend to have earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association. As an author and speaker, his stories of teamwork and leadership are humorous and inspiring — approached with the same intelligence, passion, and intensity that punctuated his great football career.