Schlereth limps into retirement

Surgeries take a toll on knees

By Adam Schefter 
Denver Post Sports Writer

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 - Even after undergoing 29 medical procedures that included 20 knee surgeries, Denver Broncos guard Mark Schlereth had some kind of run. 
Schlereth stuck around 12 NFL seasons spanning 156 games, won three Super Bowls, was voted to two Pro Bowls - a fulfilling career nobody could have predicted. 
But now it is over. Broncos officials expect Schlereth to hold a news conference Wednesday to officially announce his retirement from football. Schlereth declined comment Monday, saying only, "Please wait until I meet the press." 

When he does, Schlereth is likely to tell how 15 surgeries on his left knee and five more on his "good" right one extracted such a toll that the cumulative damage would not allow him to continue playing. It's remarkable that he lasted as long as he did. 

Though Schlereth became an unrestricted free agent after last season, those around the NFL strongly believe no team could have passed him on a physical. Yet his physical problems will not prevent him from remaining involved in the game. 

Already Schlereth - who turned down the chance to pursue becoming the Broncos' new offensive line coach after last season - is known to have auditioned for an analyst job with Fox-TV, and even will do the color commentary for an NFL Europe game broadcast from Germany next month. Schlereth also will interview with ESPN. KUSA-Channel 9 in Denver has talked to Schlereth about broadcasting the Broncos' preseason games this summer. Clear Channel, which owns and operates KOA radio and the KTLK radio station that is getting ready to switch to an all-sports format, has approached Schlereth with the idea of a weekday sports-talk show. 

It is possible that, like other media personalities, the 35-year-old Schlereth could mix and match jobs, producing an arrangement that would make him a well-known local and national broadcasting figure. Chances are, he will be as successful off the field as he was on it. But with whatever he elects to do, Schlereth will remain in Denver, something he repeatedly has talked about doing during the six seasons he spent with the Broncos. 

However, many could have a difficult time recognizing him. Since last season ended, Schlereth has lost 45 pounds, dropping to 240. Still, Schlereth will be remembered as one of the vital cogs in Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl run. Not only was he one of the finest guards in franchise history, but he was one of the classiest players to pass through the Broncos' locker room, as anyone in the organization would quickly attest. 

It was quite a career, Schlereth's. When the Washington Redskins selected him with the 263rd overall pick in the 10th round of the 1989 draft, they never expected him and his knees to make it through one season. Schlereth made it through 12. But no more. 

Meanwhile, the Broncos announced that former punter Mike Horan - a member of three AFC championship teams with the team - will re-sign with them today, the purpose being to retire as a Bronco. Horan played 16 seasons in the NFL with Philadelphia, the New York Giants, St. Louis and Denver. 

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