26 Facts About Mark Bavaro

Mark Bavaro quickly emerged as a starter in his rookie season and became renowned during his Giants career for his blocking, toughness, and receiving skills.

Since retiring, Mark Bavaro has done work as an anti-abortion activist.

Mark Bavaro was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts as the second of three children to Wally, a track coach at Chelsea High School, and Christine, who studied to be a marriage and family therapist when her children were in school.

Mark Bavaro attended Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he was a high school football All-American.

Mark Bavaro was a well-rounded athlete who excelled in track and field at Danvers.

Mark Bavaro was recruited by head coach Dan Devine but played his four years under coach Gerry Faust.

Mark Bavaro played behind star tight end Tony Hunter as a freshman, then missed all but three minutes of his sophomore season due to a hand injury.

Mark Bavaro established himself as a starter as a junior, but grew home-sick and briefly contemplated quitting the team to move back home following the season.

Mark Bavaro developed a reputation for playing through injuries while at Notre Dame.

Mark Bavaro left Notre Dame after graduating in 1985 despite having one season of eligibility remaining and was selected in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

Mark Bavaro earned the nickname "Rambo" early in his rookie season due to his intense playing style, quiet personality, and physical resemblance to Sylvester Stallone.

Mark Bavaro remained the starter after Mowatt's recovery from injury and emerged as a favorite target of Simms.

Mark Bavaro's inspiring play jump starts the Giants, who win the game and eventually the Super Bowl.

Mark Bavaro continued to establish his reputation as an excellent blocker during the season, and was described as "the premier tight end" in the league by 49ers' coach Bill Walsh before the team's playoff matchup.

The cover featured Bavaro celebrating a touchdown in the trademark manner of his career.

Mark Bavaro performed well during the 1987 season and was again selected to the Pro Bowl.

Mark Bavaro struggled with a degenerative knee condition throughout the 1990 season and was rarely able to practice.

Mark Bavaro spent the season as a tight end coach at Saint Dominic Savio High School in East Boston, Massachusetts.

Mark Bavaro took the position after the team's coach took a chance and wrote Bavaro a letter to ask him if he would consider coaching.

Mark Bavaro played one season for the Browns and managed to appear in all 16 games.

Mark Bavaro's career was so influential that ESPN's Mark Bavaro Fantasy Football league is named after him.

Mark Bavaro's wife attended Seton Hall Law School for one year, but later transferred to Harvard Law School, where she achieved a degree in Law, and is currently a teacher of European History and constitutional law at St John's Preparatory School.

Mark Bavaro pursued a career in this field at the suggestion of his former Giants teammate Phil McConkey, who worked for the same company as Bavaro.

In 2007, Mark Bavaro was appointed Vice President of DesignCentrix, a premiere Chicago exhibit house.

Mark Bavaro is an avid golfer who considers the sport his favorite pastime.

Mark Bavaro befriended and followed the career of Denver Broncos tight end Daniel Graham who idolized Bavaro as a child.