Biography

Robert Mulhern used his exceptional strength, determination and intensity to excel on the gridiron for Attleboro High School. Mulhern did not light up the stat sheet, however without his football prowess, Hall of Famers Tim Slowey, Matt Warchol, Nick McNamee and Seth Lopes would not have been as successful, nor would AHS as a whole. Rob Mulhern had raw athletic talent which translated into success in whatever sport he played. Rob played three years of football for the Bombardiers and during those years the Blue & White tallied a 14-1 EAC record and participated in two Division 3 Super  Bowl games.

At 6'2" Mulhern was big, but his speed and quickness separated him from other tight ends and defensive ends. As a junior the self-sacrificing tight end was surrounded with talent at the skill positions such as McNamee, Slowey, Warchol, Lopes and Mark Owens. However, Rob’s job was to block offensively, not securing receptions downfield, although he was more than capable. Mulhern, along with his line-mates allowed AHS to amass more than 3,000 yards of total offense while averaging 27 point per game. Defensively, the physical Mulhern was the prototypical AHS defensive end. Head Coach Cliff Sherman stated after AHS crushed Bishop Stang 36-0 during Rob’s senior season, “They (Mulhern & Nick Angell) are quick, strong, tough kids and for how we work our defensive end it’s as if those two were made for this position.” Mulhern was selected a captain his senior season, and his outstanding play and tireless effort on the field earned the respect of his teammates and coaches. Mulhern often found himself in the opposing team’s backfield stuffing the run, pressuring the quarterback or coming up with the game changing sack. In thumping Feehan 24-10, the Big Blue defense led by Mulhern allowed a mere 86 yards of total offense. Mulhern had many quarterback sacks, but none more exciting than the sack that resulted in a safety a minute into the game again defending Division 1 Western-Central Super Bowl Champ Longmeadow, which set the tone for a 22-12 victory.

Rob fondly remembers, “the tough dog days of double sessions, pre and post game film prep and the rehearsals before games. “However, these comments by Rob share what high school football meant to him and many others. “In my opinion, personnel accomplishments take a back seat to the skills that our coaches worked endlessly to develop, and the camaraderie through team work and perseverance. These skills are crafted through long hours, hard work, and mutual effort. These are life skills that have taught me tremendously how to be the leader of men, and have carried me beyond my days on the field through college football and police work to combat in Afghanistan.” Rob, Attleboro is fortunate that you continue to be part of our team, and our country is more fortunate that you continue to display your self-sacrificing spirit in serving to maintain our freedom.

Rob was selected to the Sun Chronicle, Pawtucket Times and Eastern Athletic Conference All Star teams following his senior season. Mulhern continued his football career at Bentley University where he graduated in 2004, and currently he is serving in Afghanistan as a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a First Lieutenant, Executive Officer/ Platoon Leader for Charlie Company 1-182 Infantry regiment.