Mark Rypien

Mark Rypien, born Mark Robert Rypien on October 2, 1962 in Calgary, Alberta, is a former professional football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the National Football League. His family moved to the United States when he was three and settled in Spokane, Washington, where he starred in football, basketball and baseball at Shadle Park High School. He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors in 1984, and was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 1986 draft. After two seasons on injured reserve he became the starter in 1989 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1989 and 1991. In 1991 he led the Redskins to a 14 and 2 record and a 37 to 24 win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI, where he was named most valuable player, the first foreign-born player to earn the honor. He later played for several other NFL teams.