Chester Marcol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chester Marcol | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 24, 1949 (age 57) |
| Place of birth |  Opole, Poland |
| Position(s) | Placekicker |
| College | Hillsdale College |
| NFL Draft | 1972 / Round 2/ Pick 34 |
| Career Highlights | |
| 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) Points, rookie season- 128 (1972) |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1972-1980 1980 |
Green Bay Packers Houston Oilers |
Czeslaw "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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[edit] Early years
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 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, in Michigan where he was named NAIA All-American and holds the record for longest field goal.[1]
[edit] NFL career
Marcol was selected by Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine in the Second Round of the 1972 NFL Draft. Marcol scored 128 points in his rookie year, leading the league in scoring, and was named NFC Rookie of the Year and All-Pro.[1]
Chester Marcol may best be known for his game winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears in 1980. In the first week 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]
[edit] Post-football years
In 1980 Marcol was cut by head coach Bart Starr. Starr stated the reason he was cut was because of poor kickoffs, but Marcol stated the reason he was cut was because of his cocaine and alcohol addictions. Marcol signed with the Houston Oilers for the remainder of the season, but did not start. 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]
Marcol is now a resident of Dollar Bay, Michigan in the Upper Michigan peninsula. He has a wife and three children.[3] He suffers from health problems such as hepatitis C and a heart condition and lives off a fixed income.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Marcol still kickin' despite struggles by Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, posted 28 October, 2002.
- ^ Cameron, Steve (1993). The Packers!. Dallas: Taylor Pub. Co., 158. 978-0878331338.
- ^ Chester Marcol's claim to fame from weht.net posted 8 May, 2001.
