| No. 62 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Guard | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | February 12, 1961 Pardeeville, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 282 lb (128 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Pardeeville | ||||||||
| College: | Iowa | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1983: 8th round, 219th pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Mark Steven Bortz (born February 12, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the Bears in the 1983 NFL draft. [1]
The Bears' 1983 draft class is regarded as one of the best all-time; providing 7 starters, including 3 for the offensive line - Bortz, fellow guard Tom Thayer, and tackle Jim Covert. [2] [3] When interviewed about the draft class for nfl.com, Coach Mike Ditka stated that Bortz was a converted defensive player, with great feet, and he formed part of a solid offensive line.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Bortz won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears. [4] [5] He also holds the record for most playoff appearances by a Bear with 13.
On March 7, 2013, a two-story house belonging to Bortz in Liberty, Illinois burned down. Firefighters had attempted to save the house, but the house was fully engulfed in flames by arrival. [6]