Seeing The Blessings In The Dressings Pain Has Been Path To Building Character For Broncos’ Schlereth
Mark Schlereth believes God has blessed him with, thus far, an eight-year NFL career.
He also believes God has tested him along the way - with 11 knee operations, two elbow surgeries, a bout with paralysis due to a rare disease and a kidney stone on game day. Yes, Schlereth played hours after passing the stone.
“I feel fortunate,” said Schlereth, the former Idaho Vandal. “I look at all the things that have happened as character tests. Possibly I had character flaws and God is working with me on them. You get to a point where you want to prove things to yourself.”
For the privilege of still being able to stand upright and function as a starting left guard, Schlereth gets to bang helmets with Seattle defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy for 3 hours today in the Kingdome.
“I’ll just try to play hard every down,” Schlereth said.
As if Schlereth has ever considered a different option. Schlereth’s pain tolerance borders on legend in the NFL.
The kidney stone episode convinced one Los Angeles writer to name Schlereth the NFL’s “Toughest Man” a few years ago.
Another award Schlereth could have won was “Quietest Man.”
“You would have never known he was ever hurt,” said Mark Rypien, a former teammate of Schlereth in Washington. “There are guys who will tell you every ouch and nick and others who wouldn’t say a darn thing. Mark was one who wouldn’t say a thing.”
Schlereth’s injuries actually started mounting at Idaho, where he played for Dennis Erickson in 1985 and Keith Gilbertson from 1986-88. Erickson is the Seahawks head coach and Gilbertson is an assistant.
Surgeries have taken their toll on Schlereth’s scarred knees.
“The normal knee has about 140 degrees range of motion. On a good day I have 110 and sometimes it’s in the 95 range,” he said.
Doesn’t that leave Schlereth vulnerable to being treated like a speed bump by defensive tackles?
“You gotta realize that you can’t overcome bad (blocking) technique like a guy with a fresh body,” said Schlereth, a Pro Bowler in 1991 who never made first team All-Big Sky at Idaho.
In 1993, Schlereth was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a neurological condition that caused numbness below his knees and elbows.
He briefly considered retirement, but came back to play in 16 games for Washington in 1994 before landing with Denver as a free agent last year.
“That was a tough one to fight through,” he said.
And these days? “I’m doing all right,” he said. “I’m always going to have some soreness knee-wise, but I take pretty good care of myself.”
He has to - so he’s ready for the next test.
Robbie still snapping
Jeff Robinson, the former Idaho Vandal and Ferris Saxon, remains the Broncos’ long-snapper on special teams.
However, his playing time on the defensive line has diminished, mainly because Denver snapped up Jumpy Geathers (tackle) and Alfred Williams (end) in the off-season.
“I played every position on the defensive line in training camp,” said Robinson, a fourth-year pro. “They want me to back up every position.
“We’ve got some pretty good players up front, so from a realistic standpoint I just do what I can do.”
Notes
Former University of Montana star Tim Hauck plays on Denver’s special teams. He had two tackles last week against the New York Jets. Hauck, from Big Timber, Mont., is in his second year with the Broncos and his seventh season in the NFL. Hauck backs up Steve Atwater at safety… . One of Hauck’s coaches is former Idaho assistant coach Ed Donatell, who is in his second year with Denver. Donatell previously was with the Jets for five years.
The records: Seattle 0-1. Denver 1-0.
The series: Broncos lead 22-15.
Last week: Seattle sputtered in 29-7 loss at San Diego. Denver led 31-0 at half and settled for an easy 31-6 victory over the visiting New York Jets.
The line: Broncos by 2.
On the air
Television: NBC (Ch. 6) with Charlie Jones and Randy Cross.
Radio: KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.
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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. BRONCOS The game: 1 p.m. in the Kingdome. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 8-9, second season. Denver - Mike Shanahan, 9-8, second season; 17-20 overall, fourth season.