Mark Brunell

“We certainly weren’t the most talented team in 1996. But we had good mark chemistry, we worked well brunell together” o you’re the one person who field goal attempts. “Every NFL Words: Hillel Kuttler bought it.” Mark Brunell wryly player wants to be part of a tells a caller whose son owns championship team.” an action figure of the left- Brunell had visited London his handed ex-quarterback. previous season with the Saints, Brunell,who played nearly two who bested the San Diego Chargers, decades in the NFL before retiring in 37-32. He and his wife toured the 2011, was selling himself – and his city once previously, an experience likeness wearing the Jacksonville Brunell, who’d majored in history, Jaguars’ teal uniform jersey – short. said he greatly enjoyed – particularly After all, Brunell is perhaps the player seeing the Tower of London. Brunell most fans will reflexively associate with also participated in an NFL delegation the northern Florida franchise – the guy that in 2012 visited London, who was selected for three Pro Bowls Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh. (winning Most Valuable Player honours “There were a lot of fans showing in the 1997 game), led the NFL with up in different NFL jerseys. It was 4,367 passing yards in 1996 and won 41 well received, it was a lot of fun and of the 58 games he started in the it was a great experience for me to Jaguars’ heyday from 1996 to 1999. see different parts of the UK. It’s Sandwiching that four-year stretch something I’d love to do again,” he were Jacksonville’s to-date only trips to says of the last of his three visits. the AFC Championship game. Both He’s proud of the Jaguars now ended in losses, just one step from the playing at Wembley for a second Super Bowl, but the Jaguars’ getting consecutive season, the first time that far in only their second and fifth an NFL team has done that since the seasons remains remarkable. International Series began in 2007. “It was a good, exciting time. We Brunell stays connected to the came together quickly. Our team was league through his work as a studio built with a good first Draft, a lot of free analyst for ESPN, where he agents, some trades,” says Brunell, who comments on transactions, free- was dealt to the expansion Jaguars from agent signings, the Draft and, from the Green Bay Packers, the team that November through the Super Bowl, drafted him in the fifth round in 1993 the games themselves. after he helped the University of Until early November, Brunell Washington to two Rose Bowl victories. keeps busy directing the football “We certainly weren’t the most program at the Episcopal School of talented team in 1996,” Brunell Jacksonville, where he also serves continues, speaking of the Jaguars’ 9-7 as head coach. The team’s starting regular-season record. “But we had quarterback? Brunell’s son, Joseph. good chemistry, we worked well together, “I’m really enjoying it,” Brunell says the guys played hard and we kind of got of the work, which includes a little momentum near the end [of the overseeing spring-time exhibition season], which is what you need.” games, offseason conditioning and In the twilight of his career, as a 10 competitive games in autumn. backup to Drew Brees, Brunell celebrated “I am in charge of everything from the ultimate victory, when the New kneepads to scheduling games. How Orleans Saints defeated the Chicago far I’ve come in my career – ordering Bears 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. kneepads for kids who lose them,” “It was a dream come true,” Brunell he says, laughing. “Coaching is a lot says of New Orleans’ title, a season in less painful than playing… I’m the one which he played primarily as a holder for with the whistle in my mouth.”

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