| Date of birth: | October 24, 1949 |
| Place of birth: | Opole, Poland |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Position(s): | Placekicker |
| College: | Hillsdale College |
| NFL Draft: | 1972 / Round: 2/ Pick 34 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1972-1980 1980 |
Green Bay Packers Houston Oilers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls: | 1972, 1974 |
| Awards: | 1972 NFC Rookie of the Year |
| Honors: | Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame |
| Records: | Green Bay Packers Attempts, season- 48 (1972) Field goals, season- 33 (1972) |
| Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Czesław "Chester" Marcol (born October 24, 1949 in Opole, Poland) is a former American Football Placekicker for the Green Bay Packers. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.
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Marcol lived in Poland until the age of fifteen, when his father committed suicide, forcing Marcol's mother to send their family to the United States. He attended Imlay City High School in Michigan without much knowledge of the English language. In Poland Marcol had great kicking abilities in soccer. His gym teacher discovered his talent and showed him the game of football. Marcol went on to attended Hillsdale College, also in Michigan, where he was named NAIA All-American and holds the record for longest field goal.[1]
Marcol was selected by Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine in the Second Round of the 1972 NFL Draft. He scored 128 points his rookie year, leading the league in scoring, and was named NFC Rookie of the Year and All-Pro.[1]
He may best be known for his game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears on 7 September 1980. On opening day of the 1980 NFL season, the Packers were tied with the Bears 6-6 in overtime. A 32-yard pass from Lynn Dickey to James Lofton helped set up a 34-yard attempt to win the game for the Packers. Marcol's kick was blocked and came straight back to his facemask. He caught the ball and ran around the startled Bears in what appeared to be sheer fright. Marcol was able to run 25 yards into the end-zone to give the Packers a 12-6 victory.[2]
Marcol was cut later that season by head coach Bart Starr. Starr stated the reason he was cut was because of poor kickoffs, but Marcol said it was because of his sex, cocaine and alcohol addictions. He signed with the Houston Oilers for one game when the Oilers came to Green Bay on 14 December 1980. It was determined very late that week that Oilers kicker Toni Fritsch would be unable to play. Marcol was in Green Bay, so the Oilers claimed him off waivers. He kicked one field goal and made only one of three PATs in a 22-3 Houston win.[3] He stayed in Green Bay when the Oilers returned to Houston after the game.
In 1986 he attempted suicide by drinking battery acid, which damaged his esophagus. To date, Marcol must have his esophagus stretched three times a year. Marcol eventually recovered from his problems.[1] He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.
Marcol is now a resident of the Upper Peninsula community of Dollar Bay, Michigan. He has a wife and three children.[4] He suffers from health problems such as hepatitis C and a heart condition and lives off a fixed income.[1]