USA Football

When he was named most valuable player of his high school football team as a senior, Mark Tauscher didn't quite dream that he would someday be playing in the NFL.

 

Not only is the Auburndale, Wis., native a 6-foot-3, 315-pound tackle for the Packers; he has also become a dean of the Green Bay offensive line.

 

"I never really thought the NFL would be an option for me," Tauscher said. "I went to college and assumed from there I would get a degree and then get a job. But I've been able to pursue my career in the game I love to play."

 

Tauscher is in his eighth NFL season, all with the Packers. He came back from a 2002 knee injury to start 57 straight games before a groin injury had him miss five games in 2006. In a win against New Orleans in October 2005, Tauscher had his first holding penalty in six NFL seasons.

 

After the 2006 season, Tauscher had started 91 NFL games, which was impressive considering he entered the league as a seventh-round draft pick in 2000. Throw in a spot in the starting lineup in Monday night’s overtime win game against Denver, and Tauscher is up to 98 consecutive starts.

 

Tauscher played a key role on the NFL's third-ranked offense in 2004. That year, the Packers set team records for total first downs (354), net yards (6,357), passing yards (4,449), completions (382) and fewest sacks allowed (14).

 

In 2000, Tauscher teamed with Chad Clifton to form Green Bay's first pair of starting rookie offensive tackles in 48 years. This season, Tauscher has watched Green Bay shoot out to a 6-1 start to the season.

 

"We're young, but we're building. We're hoping to build off of last year," Tauscher said. "You always set some goals. Not winning and not being in the playoffs for two years has been frustrating. I gauge my individual success from a team standpoint."

 

Born in Marshfield, Wis., Tauscher won all-state and all-conference honors his junior and senior years as an offensive lineman. He also made all-conference teams in both basketball as a center and baseball as a third baseman as a junior and senior.

 

"It was tough in the mid-1990s," Tauscher said of his high school era. "We hadn't been to the playoffs in awhile. Then that changed. But as a team, we were kind of average."

 

But Tauscher remembers learning some valuable lessons from his high school days.

 

"It was stressed that no one is bigger than the team," he said.

 

Tauscher lettered three times in high school in football as an offensive and defensive tackle, three times in baseball and twice in basketball.

 

"The basketball program has had a ton of success," he said. "We were always very good in basketball. We did all right in baseball. We lost two games in three years. In a small high school like mine, you're able to play three sports. We played both ways in football.

 

"I never thought I was going to go on to the pros. Only a small percentage of high school kids wind up in the pros. Football was the most logical sport for me to go into."

 

A member of the National Honor Society in high school, Tauscher has earned a reputation for giving time to local charities, which includes reading at several area elementary school to promote reading programs. He also has worked with the Salvation Army, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay literacy program and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics.

 

"I tell high school players that they have to be dedicated and work hard at it," Tauscher said. "There are no shortcuts. It's a long road to have to take, and be willing to go through it. If you work hard, then you have some potential."

 

In college, Tauscher was a one-year starter in 1999 and two-time letter winner 1998-99 at the University of Wisconsin. He made the team as a walk-on in 1995 and didn't see much playing time for two seasons. But suddenly he contributed substantially his final two years.

 

As a senior, Tauscher was invited to play in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine game and was the only Badger to appear in two postseason all-star contests. He was twice selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team and was a member of two straight Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship teams.

 

He has a B.A. degree in history and a master's degree in educational administration. He has also been working on pre-doctorate studies through the University of Wisconsin.

 

As for his NFL career, "I've got eight years in and I'd like four to five more years," Tauscher said. "I've been blessed to play as long as I have. I'd like to play longer."

 

*Parents can nominate youth football coaches at all levels online at ResponsibleSports.com through December 7.  Winners will be announced in December. 

 

Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.