Mark Schlereth grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and struggled with dyslexia as a youth — he did not learn to read until he was seven.[1] He graduated from Robert Service High School in 1984. Growing up in Alaska, Schlereth did not receive much attention as a football prospect. The only presently FBSschools that offered him a scholarship were the University of Idaho (1-AA at that time) and the University of Hawaii. He accepted a football scholarship to the University of Idaho from Dennis Erickson, where he played on the offensive line for head coachKeith Gilbertson, blocking for quarterbacks Scott Linehan and John Friesz.

Mark Schlereth was selected in the tenth round (#263 overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He played twelve NFL seasons; six with Washington (1989-1994), and six with the Denver Broncos (1995-2000). He was a member of three Super Bowl championship teams (1 with the Redskins and 2 with the Broncos) and was selected to the Pro Bowl for his performances in the 1991 and 1998 seasons.

In 12 seasons, Mark played in 156 games and started 127. Mark blocked fpor some of he greatest offensive players in the history of the game including John Elway and Terrell Davis.

Before ending his playing career, Schlereth endured 29 surgeries, 20 on his knees (15 left, 5 right). After the 13th procedure on his left knee on July 24, 2000, Denver head coach Mike Shanahan stated, “He has a great pain threshold. I think the doctors said that it was the worst knee that they’ve ever seen.” Schlereth would have two more procedures on his left knee during the 2000 season, his last in the NFL. His injuries are documented on Athlete 360, the new sports medicine television show hosted by Schlereth’s former Redskins teammate, Dr. Mark Adickes.