Mark Bruener

Last updated

Mark Bruener
No. 87
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1972-09-16) September 16, 1972 (age 52)
Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school: J. M. Weatherwax (Aberdeen)
College: Washington (1991–1994)
NFL draft: 1995: 1st round, 27th pick
Career history
As a player:
As a staff member / executive:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:152
Receiving yards:1,333
Receiving touchdowns:18
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Mark Frederick Bruener (born September 16, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies, earning All-American honors in 1993. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft with the 27th overall pick.

Contents

Bruener played nine seasons with the Steelers followed by five with the Houston Texans. He retired from playing following the 2008 season. He formerly served on the NFL Players Association Executive Committee. As of 2018, he serves as a scout for the Steelers. [1] [2]

College career

Bruener played at the University of Washington from 1991 to 1994 and proved himself as a reliable receiver and willing blocker in the running game.

  • 1991: 5 catches for 57 yards.
  • 1992: 21 catches for 210 yards.
  • 1993: 30 catches for 414 yards with 3 TD.
  • 1994: 34 catches for 331 yards with 1 TD.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+12 in
(1.94 m)
249 lb
(113 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.89 s1.69 s2.81 s4.19 s34.0 in
(0.86 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
22 reps

Bruener was drafted in the first round with the 27th overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. [3] He played with the Steelers for nine seasons before signing with the Houston Texans. Bruener was primarily a blocking tight end rather than a pass-catcher, and finished his NFL career with 152 catches.

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTD
1995 PIT 161348262389.2293
1996 PIT 1212241214111.8360
1997 PIT 161630181176.5186
1998 PIT 161633191578.3202
1999 PIT 141434181769.8290
2000 PIT 1616341719211.3303
2001 PIT 991912988.2210
2002 PIT 12121813665.1101
2003 PIT 14062126.0111
2004 HOU 16111045213.0270
2005 HOU 1615422211.0190
2006 HOU 154109626.9252
2007 HOU 141100000
2008 HOU 20000000
1881392711521,3338.83618

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTD
1995 PIT 336166.060
1997 PIT 22311616.0160
55922211.0160

Personal life

Bruener and his wife Traci live in Washington with their two daughters, Allie and Chloe, and three sons, Carson, Braydon, and Hudson. [4] Bruener is Catholic. [5] His son Carson played college football for the Washington Huskies and currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. [6] [7] [8]

References

  1. "Steelers Scout Mark Bruener Offers Unique Perspective to NFL Hopefuls". www.nflplayerengagement.com.
  2. "Front Office Staff - Pittsburgh Steelers".
  3. "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  4. "Official Site of the Houston Texans".
  5. "NFL Player-Turned-Scout Finds Strength in Christ".
  6. Caple, Christian (November 4, 2021). "The man in the middle: Carson Bruener emerging as an unlikely star for Washington's defense". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  7. Jude, Adam (January 6, 2024). "UW's Bruener family has chance to cement 'special' link with father-son championships". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  8. Lolley, Dale (April 26, 2025). "How he fits: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington". Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved April 27, 2025.