Man Of Mettle

NFL vet MARK SCHLERETH has faced plenty of blocks, including arthritis. Family, faith and optimism keep him winning.

- Timothy Gower

MARK SCHLERETH FOUND GLORY ON THE GRID-IRON, but his long career in professional football almost never happened. Mark suffered a series of nasty injuries while playing for the University of Idaho, culminating with a dislocated elbow that required surgery in his junior year. The university had seen enough. “You are retired from football,” his head coach told him.

He brooded over his misfortune – for about five minutes. “You can’t feel sorry for yourself,” says Mark, 50, now a football analyst on ESPN. “When things don’t go the way you planned, you’ve got to keep fighting.” And fight he did: As soon as his arm healed, Mark got back in shape and persuaded his coach to give him a second chance. He played well his senior year and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1989. Mark spent 12 seasons as an offensive guard in the National Football League, winning three Super Bowls along the way.

A Bruising Journey

Mark’s upbeat world view and belief that quitting is never an option have always helped him get through tough times, and there have been many. He continued to experience setbacks during his career, and the pummeling his body took left him with osteoarthritis in his knees, elbows, back and fingers.

These days, he has good and bad days for pain, although bending his knees is always painful and his back gives him trouble, especially after sitting for an extended period. Yoga and working out on an elliptical help when he’s feeling bad. He says he took a lot of pain meds prescribed by team doctors to keep playing football, but now he’s cautious, sticking with the occasional ibuprofen. At times, he’s also used glucosamine and chondroitin and fish oil supplements.