Mark Brunell

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Mark Brunell
Washington Redskins
Career information
College:Washington
NFL draft:1993 / Round: 5 / Pick: 118
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2007
TD-INT:182-106
Passing yards:31,826
QB Rating:84.2

Mark Allen Brunell (born September 17 1970 in Santa Maria, California) is a left-handed American football player who currently plays quarterback for the NFL's Washington Redskins. He was drafted out of the University of Washington by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round of the 1993 NFL Draft.

High School Career

Brunell was the starting quarterback for the St. Joseph High School Knights of Santa Maria, CA in the 1985, 86, and 87 seasons. Brunell led his team to two league championships and one appearance in the CIF finals, California's version of the state championship series.

College career

Brunell signed with the University of Washington out of high school in a highly touted recruiting class that included future NFL players Lincoln Kennedy and Steve Emtman. Brunell saw his first action in his Redshirt Freshman year, and took over the starting duties in his sophomore season. Though green, Brunell's abilities as a run-pass combo quarterback flashed potential from his first start. In his third start, Brunell led the Huskies in a 31-0 romp over a highly ranked USC team which established the Huskies of the early 1990s as a potential force in Pac-10 football. While Brunell continued to develop throughout his first season as a starter the Huskies climbed in the rankings. An early season loss to the eventual national champion University of Colorado and late season 22-25 loss to UCLA were the only losses for what, by seasons end, was a dominant Husky team. With the Huskies crowned Pac-10 champions, Brunell played his best game yet in the Rose Bowl and was named the game's MVP as Washington coasted to a 46-34 win over Big Ten Conference Champion Iowa.

Though the Huskies finished the season ranked 5th in the Associated Press poll, one poll crowned them National Champions. Irrespective of their final ranking, the Huskies, with Brunell's star rising, seemed set to soar to even loftier heights in 1991 than 1990. Brunell was expected to lead the Huskies in 1991, but a devastating knee injury in the annual Husky spring game would sideline Brunell and cast the Husky hopes for a National Championship run in doubt. Brunell, however, was capably replaced by Puyallup, Washington native Billy Joe Hobert and the University of Washington went on to win their first 2 games in Brunell's absence. Though Brunell was not yet fully recovered, he returned months ahead of schedule to action in Washington's third game in 1991. Brunell received a standing ovation upon his return in the 56-3 victory over Kansas State.

Brunell would play occasionally in the remainder of Husky games as the season progressed, but usually entered the games well after the outcomes were no longer in doubt. The 1991 University of Washington team defeated every regular season opponent with most games providing plenty of playing time for younger and back up players.

On January 1, 1992, Brunell played a small role (but threw a touchdown pass to Mario Bailey) in Washington's second straight Rose Bowl victory, this time over the University of Michigan. Washington finished the season ranked first in the UPI poll and 2nd the Associated Press poll behind the University of Miami.

In 1992, with two successful quarterbacks returning (Hobert and Brunell), Mark Brunell was unable to wrestle the starting QB spot away from Hobert and as such contributed in a limited role during the University of Washington's first 8 games (all wins). However, during the week of November 2nd, 1992 the Los Angeles Times ran an expose on Washington football wherein current starter Billy Joe Hobert was implicated in actions seemingly in violation of NCAA rules. As a result, Hobert was immediately suspended and Brunell was thrust back into the starting role for the Huskies. Now a senior, Brunell was only able to steer the devastated Huskies to one win in their last three regular season games. The Huskies, however, again won the Pac-10 and Brunell started his second Rose Bowl game, this time against Michigan.

Following his senior season, Mark Brunell was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round of the NFL Draft. Many voices in the Seattle media were openly critical of the hometown Seahawks (who possessed the 2nd overall selection in the draft) for chosing to take Notre Dame QB Rick Mirer instead of waiting to select Brunell.

NFL career

Jacksonville Jaguars

He was acquired in 1995 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade for a 3rd round and 5th round pick in the 1995 draft. That year, Brunell started 13 games, completed 201 out of 346 passes, for 2168 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also rushed for 480 yards.

During his years in Jacksonville, Brunell was elected to the Pro Bowl three times, in 1997, 1998, and 2000 and awarded the Pro Bowl MVP in the 1997 game. With Brunell starting, the Jaguars won an AFC Central Division title and became the first NFL expansion team to make the playoffs three times in its first four seasons of play. The furthest he led the team was to the 1996 AFC Championship Game, which they lost to the New England Patriots. They returned again in 1999, but would lose to the Tennessee Titans.

Brunell was benched by new Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio in favor of Byron Leftwich following halftime of the third game of the 2003 season. It would be the final time Brunell took the field as a member of the Jaguars.

Washington Redskins

He was traded to the Washington Redskins prior to the 2004 season where he is well known for tying his teamates shoes prior to every game..

During the 2004 season, Brunell struggled, was limited by a hamstring injury and booed mercilessly by hometown fans for his poor performance. Brunell would be benched midseason for backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey.

In 2005, Brunell played much better and led the team to a 10-6 record and a playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished third in the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year awards.

Brunell's most prolific moment in the 2005 season during was during Week 2, when he completed two long passes to wide receiver Santana Moss for two touchdowns in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to defeat the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, 14-13.

On September 24, 2006 Brunell broke the NFL record for most consecutive completions in single game when he completed his first 22 passes against the Houston Texans. Brunell also set the Redskins franchise record for highest completion percentage in a single game (88.9%). The previous record was held by Hall of Fame quarterback Sammy Baugh for 66 years (87.5%).

On November 13, 2006 after winning only three of their nine first games of 2006, Brunell was benched in favor of Jason Campbell, Washington's 2005 first round draft pick. Many experts and teammates felt he was the scapegoat for a team that was under performing across the board.

Brunell underwent surgery on January 8th, 2007 to repair a damaged labrum in his throwing shoulder, but returned in time for training camp.

In 2007, Mark Brunell was moved to 3rd String Quarterback in favor of current backup Todd Collins.

Christian Life

Mark Brunell and his family are active members of the Metro Morningstar Church (now Every Nation). When they were living in Florida, Brunell was very active within Southpoint Community Church, a church on the southside of Jacksonville that he helped found.He was also one of the most involved members of Champions for Christ. He also conducted volunteer work at the University of North Florida.

Brunell's links with Champions for Christ has garnered some controversy, with the National Football League investigating CFC over concerns that players were being taken advantage of financially.[1][2]

Family

Brunell's daughter Caitlin Brunell won the Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen title in 2007 and then the Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 in a national pageant held in Orlando in August 2007.[3]

Records

  • Holds NFL record for most consecutive completions in a single game: 22 vs Houston on September 24, 2006 (first 22 attempts). Record later tied by David Carr.

Popular Culture

Brunell is the subject of Norm Macdonald's comedy album ``Ridiculous``, in which Brunell is portrayed as a sick quarterback on three tracks.

Brunell is often referred to as "the Number 8 car" by Fox Sports Radio's Steve Czaban. Brunell wears jersey number eight.

References

  1. ^ Teams seek Inquiry into Religious Group, New York Times, August 2, 1998[1]
  2. ^ Voices From Above-Brunell’s records aren’t all from football. Washington City Paper, October 5, 2006 [2]
  3. ^ Centazzo (2007-05-02). "Kniffin Collects Dresses, Makes Prom Reality". Connection Newspapers. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |firs= ignored (help)

External links

Preceded by Washington Huskies Starting Quarterbacks
1990,1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Jacksonville Jaguars Starting Quarterbacks
1995-2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Washington Redskins Starting Quarterbacks
2004-2006 		Succeeded by
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