Mark Bortz

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]

Mark Bortz

No. 62
Position:	Guard
Personal information
Born:	(1961-02-12) February 12, 1961 (age 64) 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
Chicago Bears (1983–1994)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XX) First-team All-Pro (1990) 2× Pro Bowl (1988, 1990) 100 greatest Bears of All-Time Second-team All-American (1982) 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1981, 1982)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 171 Games started: 155 Fumble recoveries: 2 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Professional career

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.

Personal life

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]