Rypien’s Attentions With Son

For most people, a Washington State Rose Bowl is bigger than life. Not for Mark Rypien. Life lately has kept a firm grip on the former Cougars quarterback, squeezing him like never before.

His 2-year-old son, Andrew, has cancer.

For five months parallel to WSU’s extraordinary season, the youngest of Rypien’s three children has had to deal with something no kid should be subjected to: Surgery to remove a brain tumor. A frightening diagnosis. Energy-sapping chemotherapy.

“He’s been real strong through it all,” Rypien said.

No doubt much of that strength has been inherited from his father, a backup quarterback with the St. Louis Rams, who just finished his 12th season in the NFL.

Rypien chooses to speak openly about his son’s delicate condition rather than withdraw. His words are unfailingly upbeat.

He had his son and other family members with him in St. Louis during much of the season, but moved them back to Post Falls to have better access to relatives. Which meant he made weekly trips halfway across the country to join them.

In between family moments and the NFL, Rypien has allowed himself time to revel in the Cougars’ monumental success.

Before the Apple Cup, he called WSU coach Mike Price to congratulate him on the season. From his St. Louis home, he watched the Cougars clinch a trip to Pasadena, joined by Rams teammates Jeff Robinson and Will Furrer, one a former Idaho player, the other a former Pullman resident. Guys who could relate. He called Price again after the Apple Cup with more kind words.

Rypien, as a WSU donor, has tickets to the Rose Bowl, but is unsure whether he can join the Cougars in California. His son’s chemotherapy treatments have been completed, and complications are a possibility.

Regardless of where he’s watching the game, Rypien has high hopes for his alma mater today.

“Actually I’m one of the ones who are really crazy,” he said. “I actually think they have a pretty good chance of winning the football game, because of what they do offensively and what Michigan hasn’t seen. Defensively, I think they have tremendous effort guys, guys who sometimes get in a game like this knowing this is the time for somebody to become a hero.

“I think each guy will dig down and find his special moment. In my case, it was the Super Bowl.”

Rypien was on the winning side in three of four games against the Huskies. But he never came close to a Rose Bowl.

Rypien’s moment of ultimate football glory came in Super Bowl XXVI. He led the Washington Redskins to a 37-24 win over Buffalo, earning MVP honors.

Rypien hasn’t played much in four seasons, begrudgingly accepting the role as reserve QB.

“I want to play a couple more years, hopefully finish up here in St. Louis,” Rypien said.

“A lot depends on Andrew and his situation.”