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| Position | Placekicker | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | (1949-10-24)October 24, 1949 (age 76) Opole, Poland | ||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school | Imlay City(Imlay City, Michigan) | ||||||||||
| College | Hillsdale | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1972: 2nd round, 34th overall pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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Czesław Bolesław "Chester" Marcol (born October 24, 1949) is a Polish American former professionalfootball player who was aplacekicker in theNational Football League (NFL), primarily for theGreen Bay Packers from 1972 to 1980. He playedcollege football for theHillsdale Chargers. He was inducted into theGreen Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.
Marcol lived in Poland until the age of 14, when his father committed suicide, forcing Marcol's mother to send their family to the United States.[3] Marcol soon became aU.S. citizen.[4] He attendedImlay City High School inMichigan without much knowledge of the English language. In Poland, Marcol had great kicking abilities insoccer. His gym teacher discovered his talent and showed him the game of football. He attendedHillsdale College where he was named NAIA All-American and holds the record for longest field goal.[3]
Marcol was selected by Packers head coachDan Devine in thesecond round (34th overall) of the1972 NFL draft. He scored 128 points hisrookie year, leading the league in scoring, and he was named NFC Rookie of the Year — the only kicker to have received that honor — and an All-Pro.[3] He again led the league in scoring and was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in1974.[5]
Marcol may best be known for his game-winning touchdown in the season opener in1980, at home against theChicago Bears. The Packers were tied 6–6 with the Bears after regulation; in overtime, a 32-yard pass fromLynn Dickey toJames Lofton helped set up a 34-yard field goal attempt to win the game. Marcol's kick was blocked by veteranAlan Page (the ball hit Page's helmet) and deflected straight back to Marcol; he caught the ball, ran around left end, and was able to make it 25 yards into the end zone for a 12–6 Packers victory.[6] He later acknowledged that he was high oncocaine during the game's second half.[7]
A month later, Marcol was cut by head coachBart Starr on October 8, following a rough game against theCincinnati Bengals, a 14–9 home win for Green Bay. Starr said Marcol was cut because of poor kickoffs, but Marcol felt it was because of hiscocaine use;[8] he was succeeded byTom Birney, thenhall of famerJan Stenerud. Marcol signed with theHouston Oilers two months later when they came to Green Bay for a game on December 14. It was determined very late that week that Oilers kickerToni Fritsch would be unable to play and Marcol was still residing in Green Bay, so the Oilers claimed him off waivers. He kicked one field goal (27 yd), but made only one of three PATs in a 22–3 Houston win.[9] Marcol remained with the Oilers for the rest of the season, but did not play again due to Fritsch's return.[10] Marcol has said that his excessive drug and alcohol use shortened his career drastically and that he could've played well into his forties, claiming that he was still making 50-yard field goals in his street clothes at that age. He was inducted into theGreen Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.[11]
On 14 February 1986, Marcol attempted suicide by drinking a mixture of battery acid, rat poison, and vodka,[12] which severely damaged hisesophagus. He had his esophagus stretched as treatment.[3]
Marcol is a resident of theUpper Peninsula community ofDollar Bay, Michigan. He has a wife and five children.[13] He slowly recovered from his addictions, but still suffers fromhepatitis C and a heart condition. He works on weekends as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor near his home. A lot of his clients think that he has been an immense help to their recovery, and a big support system for helping stay sober.[citation needed]
Marcol published a memoir in September 2011 entitledAlive and Kicking: My Journey Through Football, Addiction and Life. He discusses his childhood, immigration to the United States, playing for the Packers, and his fall from grace.[citation needed]
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