Mark Brunell

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Mark Brunell
Date of birth September 17, 1970 (age 36)
Place of birth Flag of United States Santa Maria, California
Position(s) Quarterback
College Washington
NFL Draft 1993 / Round 5 / Pick 118
Career Highlights
Pro Bowls 1997, 1998, 2000
Awards 1997 Pro Bowl MVP
Records Jacksonville Jaguars Career
Passing Yards Leader (25,689)
Most Consecutive
Completions in a Single
Game (22)
Stats
Statistics
Team(s)
1993-1994
1995–2003
2004-present
Green Bay Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Washington Redskins

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.

Contents

[edit] NFL career

[edit] Green Bay Packers

Brunell was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th round in 1993, seeing no action in his rookie year. In 1994, Brunell became the back-up to Brett Favre, completing 12 out of 27 passes for 197 yards.

[edit] Jacksonville Jaguars

He was acquired in 1995 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the expansion 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 Jags won two AFC Central Division titles 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.

[edit] Washington Redskins

He was traded to the Washington Redskins prior to the 2004 season.

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 tied 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 scape goat for a team that was under performing across the board, while everyone believes Brunell has reached the end of his career as a NFL starting quarterback at the age of 36.

Brunell underwent surgery on January 8th, 2007 to repair a damaged labrum in his throwing shoulder, and is expected to miss 4-5 months of training, but will return in time for training camp.

[edit] Personal 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, and was 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]

Brunell and his wife Stacey have four children and they currently reside in Great Falls, VA. They make their permanent home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Their children are, in order from oldest to youngest, Caitlin, Jacob, Joseph, and Luke.

Brunell is also alumni of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

[edit] Records

  • NFL record for most consecutive completions in a single game: 22 vs Houston on September 24, 2006 (first 22 attempts).

[edit] 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]

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Cary Conklin
Billy Joe Hobert
Washington Huskies Starting Quarterbacks
1990,1992
Succeeded by
Billy Joe Hobert
Damon Huard
Preceded by
Steve Beuerlein
Jacksonville Jaguars Starting Quarterbacks
1995-2003
Succeeded by
Byron Leftwich
Preceded by
Patrick Ramsey
Washington Redskins Starting Quarterbacks
2004-2006
Succeeded by
Jason Campbell
In other languages