Football Information

Shadle Park High School

Mark enjoyed one of the most distinguished careers ever by an athlete in the Greater Spokane League. In football, he was named to the All-GSL first team and guided Shadle Park to the GSL title as both a junior and a senior. He also was a Prep All-American selection by both Parade and Carnation in his senior year. That year he set GSL records with 423 of 849 passing (.498) for 6,460 yards and 65 touchdowns. In basketball, Mark was an All-GSL pick as a junior and senior. Also during his senior year, he was an All-State choice while leading Shadle to the state title. In his two years of baseball Rypien had a combined pitching record of 17-3, and was named to the All-State and All-GSL teams while leading Shadle Park to the state finals. When all was said and done, Mark’s Senior year placed him on the All State team in three different sports. Additionally he maintained a 3.3 grade point average and was named the Hertz athlete of the year for Washington.

Washington State University

After graduating from Shadle, Mark was one of the hottest prospects in the country. Eventually Mark decided on staying close to home in Pullman at Washington State University.
Some of his college statistics:

  • In 30 career games at WSU, passed for 4,573 yards; 5,101 yards in total offense;
  • Completed his career ranked second in total offense and in passing, trailing only Jack Thompson;
  • Senior year threw for 2,174 yards to rank fourth on WSU's list;
  • Senior year gained 2,417 yards in total offense, number two on the Cougar list;
  • His 403 passing yards and 412 yards in total offense against Oregon in the 1985 season opener established WSU records;
  • WSU averaged 441.0 yards (4,851 yards) per game in 1985, a school record;
  • Associated Press All-America honorable mention, 1984 and 1985;
  • UPI All-West Coast second team, 1984;
  • Pac-10 first team quarterback, 1984, and honorable mention 1985 despite improved statistics;
  • During career had 11 games of 200 yards or more passing, second only to Jack Thompson's 22;
  • Besides his school record of 403 yards passing against Oregon, threw for 368 yards in game at Utah, the fourth best mark ever by a WSU quarterback;
  • Mark’s legacy was cemented when he established a fully endowed scholarship with the donation of $150,000 in 1993 in memory of his father.

Washington Redskins

Mark was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round (146th overall) of the 1986 NFL draft. Below are some career highlights:

  • Led the Redskins to the 1992 Super Bowl title and was named MVP of the Super Bowl XXVI.
  • In 1992 Super Bowl, threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns in earning MVP honors;
  • Played in Pro Bowl games following the 1989 and 1991 seasons;He was 33-13 and 37-14 overall as a starter through 1991 season;
  • Holds club record of six TD passes set against Atlanta in 1991;
  • Passed for 3,768 yards in 1989, the second best total ever by a Redskin quarterback;
  • Through 1991 season, his winning percentage ranked second among starting quarterbacks, 33-13 (.717); only Joe Montana (100-39, .719) had a better percentage;

Honors following 1991 season included: Pro Bowl, NFL Films NFC Player of the Year, Football News NFC Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP, UPI All-NFC, All-Madden, College and Pro Football Newsweekly NFL All-Pro first team, Football News All-NFC first team, AP All-Pro second team, NEA All-Pro second team, Pro Football Weekly All-NFC.