He played at the tackle position for the University of Michigan from 1921 to 1923, leading the Wolverines to consecutive undefeated seasons in 1922 and 1923 and a national championship in 1923.

Muirhead also played professional football in 1924 for the Dayton Triangles and Cleveland Bulldogs and was selected as a first-team All-NFL player.

Salsinger wrote: "Muirhead, of Michigan, playing his first college season, was one of the outstanding tackles in a year when the position produced a number of spectacular stars.

[3][4] In 1923, an NEA News Service profile on the stars of the Michigan football team noted: "Muirhead's tackling has been as good as the middle west section has seen in some time.

[9] After the 1923 season, Muirhead was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference player and a second-team All-American by Athletic World magazine, based on votes cast by 500 coaches,[10] Lawrence Perry,[11] and Central Press Association sports editor Norman E.