Malone, Mark

Card: Score 1989
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Mark Malone was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers way back in 1980 out of Arizona State with the last pick of the first round. The Steelers were coming off their 4th Super Bowl victory in the last 6 years, and with Terry Bradshaw starting to show signs of wear and tear, Pittsburgh started looking for his heir apparent. Until Terry’s retirement after the 1983 season, Malone only saw limited playing time over the next four seasons, but also put in time at wide receiver, setting the team record with a 90 yard touchdown reception in his rookie season.  In his first full time duty in 1984, Mark came out gunning posting a 6-3 record and leading the Steelers back to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1979.  His 14.5 yards per completion led the NFL and he’d throw 16 touchdown passes.  The rest of the NFL was finally catching up to the Steelers though, and by 1985 the team began to fall into a deepening slumber, placated by bad draft choices, old age, retirements, and injuries. Still Mark kept plunking along throwing for 13 touchdowns to only 7 picks, however the team finished 7-9.  Malone’s 86 season saw him throw for a career high 2,444 yards and 15 TDs, -but also 18 interceptions, and after a 1987 season in which he threw only 6 TDs,  he was traded to the San Diego Chargers.  San Diego in 1988 was a woeful team. The Chargers were in disarray after the retirement of power plug QB Dan Fouts, and Mark Malone stepped in to the spot playing in 12 games, throwing for 6 touchdowns and 1,580 yards. As head coach Dan Henning  decided to go in a new direction with Billy Joe Tolliver, Malone was introduced to Plan B in 1989.  Mark signed with the Jets and played in 1 game his final season before retiring.

Mark has garnered a reputation as a great color commentator since retirement.  He’s worked his way out of the studio and into the booth doing a great job of getting in the quarterback’s head and diagramming plays.

G/GS  73/53    Att  1648    Comp 839    Yds 10175     Pct 50.9        Td  60     Int  81     Rat 61.9  |
Rush 159     Yds    628     Avg  3.9      Td   18     Lg 45
Rec  1     Yds  90      Avg  90.0      Td  1     Lg 90t