Mark Rypien: Interview With a Super Bowl MVP

Quarterback Mark Rypien earned the Super Bowl XXVI MVP after leading the Washington Redskins to a win over the Buffalo Bills in 1992. Rypien played college football at Washington State University where he was a two-time All-American (1984 and 1985) and was named the Pac-10's top quarterback in 1985. Rypien made the Pro Bowl in two of his seasons, but after he retired from football, his success off the field wasn't as great as it was on. In 1998, he lost his son Andrew to cancer and six years after that traumatic experience, he began the Rypien Foundation (http://www.markrypienfoundation.org/) for families with children fighting cancer. 

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Here is my interview with the first Canadian born starting quarterback:

Brad Wolff: What was the greatest piece of advice you ever received from Coach Joe Gibbs?

Mark Rypien: The greatest piece of advice was to protect the football.

BW: How did you practice football to become such a good deep passer?

MR: Just like anything in life or in school you can only become better at things through repetition, or practice, practice, practice

BW: What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl you won the MVP in?

MR: Having a chance to share that with close family and friends, especially my daughters.

BW: What advice would you give to a quarterback aspiring to be in the NFL?

MR:  Always dream the dream but be able to have something to fall back on in case it doesn't happen. Remember that only a very select and determined group have had the opportunity to quarterback in the NFL.

BW: Have you considered being an NFL coach?

MR: It has crossed my mind to become an NFL coach, but the hours and dedication away from your family gives me reason not to do so at this time.

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