Mark Vlasic
Encyclopedia
Mark Richard Vlasic is a former American football
quarterback
who played in the National Football League
(NFL) for six seasons. During this time, he played for the San Diego Chargers
, Kansas City Chiefs
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. Over the course of his career, he played in 15 games, completed 75 of 142 passes for 762 yards, threw four touchdowns and five interceptions, and finished his career with a passer rating of 63.2.
A graduate of Center High School and the University of Iowa
, Vlasic was selected 88th in the 1987 NFL Draft
by the San Diego Chargers. He was a backup for Dan Fouts
during his first season, then started two games the following year. After not seeing playing time in 1989, Vlasic started the season opener in 1990, his last year with San Diego. He played for two seasons with Kansas City and one with Tampa Bay, but was released in 1994, having not had actual playing time since 1991.
. He attended high school at Center High School in Center Township, Pennsylvania
, and was a standout in football and basketball during his time there. He was the starting quarterback for Center in his junior year, throwing for 777 yards in the first eight games of the season. In his junior year of basketball, Vlasic was a starter, in one game scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds
with a bad back. He continued to play football and basketball during his senior year, with performances that included a 36-point effort against Las Vegas Western High School, making 18 of 20 shots. As a result of his high school career, Vlasic was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
After graduating from high school, Vlasic played college football
at the University of Iowa
. For four years, he served as a backup to Chuck Long
, now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame
. During his junior year, as the backup quarterback, he also served as the holder for field goal kicks. After placekicker
Rob Houghtlin
won a 12-10 game against the University of Michigan
thanks to a last second field goal
, a mob tore down the goalpost, which injured four fans including Vlasic, who was at the bottom of a pile of fans.
The following season Vlasic, now a fifth-year senior, became the starter, as Long graduated. Although he was taking over for the Heisman Trophy
runner-up, his strong arm was complimented, albeit backhandedly, by coach Hayden Fry
, who said, "He's got a stronger arm than Long, and he proves it every day by overthrowing his receivers." In Vlasic's first game as starter, he threw for 288 yards in a 43-7 win against Iowa State University
, a game that made Hayden Fry the winningest coach in Iowa football history. After two more victories, Vlasic went down with a separated shoulder, returning to the lineup after freshmen Dan McGwire
and Tom Poholsky took over the starting role. In a late October game against Northwestern, Vlasic threw a 93-yard touchdown pass to Quinn Early
, the longest in Iowa history, in a 27-20 victory against Northwestern University
. Despite his injury causing him to serve as a backup most of the season, he was given the start for the 1986 Holiday Bowl
against San Diego State University
. In the Holiday Bowl, Vlasic completed 15 of 28 passes 222 yards and ran for a touchdown as Iowa won, 39-38.
in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL Draft
. Chargers coach Al Saunders
chose
Vlasic because he wanted to find a young quarterback to observe and succeed Dan Fouts
. He signed with the team in late July, and spent the preseason competing with Rick Neuheisel
, Tom Flick
, and others for the backup quarterback job. While he performed well in the preseason, the Chargers were looking to have him sit out a year so he could learn the ins-and-outs or pro football. After Flick was cut and Mark Herrmann
named the primary backup, Vlasic beat out Neuheisel for the final quarterback spot on the Chargers' roster, though Neuheisel would rejoin the team later that season due to the strike. Despite making the roster, Vlasic spent most of the season after the players' strike on the team's inactive list. However, when Fouts was scratched from a December game against the Denver Broncos
due to a shoulder injury, Vlasic was called up to be Herrman's backup. He made his professional debut on December 27, 1987, playing the final 5:29 of the game. He completed three of six passes for eight yards, was sacked, and threw an interception in the Chargers' 24-0 loss against Denver.
Before the 1988 San Diego Chargers season
began, Dan Fouts chose to retire from the game after 15 seasons, leaving Vlasic as the main backup to starter Mark Herrmann, and as a result the Chargers began trying to trade for an experienced quarterback. The Chargers also signed Mark Malone
and Babe Laufenberg
to compete for the starting job, and traded Herrmann to the Indianapolis Colts
. After months of training and the 1988 preseason, Vlasic began the season as the third string quarterback behind Malone and Laufenberg, who won the starting job. In November, after Laufenberg was injured, the Chargers decided to make Vlasic the starter instead of Malone due to the latter's ineffectiveness, as well as a six game losing streak. He made his season debut against the Atlanta Falcons
on November 13, and threw for 190 yards in a 10–7 victory. As a result of his performance, coach Al Saunders said that Vlasic would have the starting job for the rest of the season. Vlasic's second start came against the Los Angeles Rams where he threw for 80 yards and a touchdown. However, he suffered torn ligaments in his left knee late in the third quarter, and was lost for the season. He finished the season with 25 of 52 passes completed and a passer rating
of 54.2.
Vlasic spent the 1989 off-season recovering form his injury, while the Chargers added another quarterback to the roster upon drafting Billy Joe Tolliver
. After working out with the team during the preseason, he started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform
list. With the Chargers having a reliable starter in Jim McMahon
, who had been signed to the team, Vlasic was kept on the list for the season. In 1990, McMahon was released and John Friesz
was drafted out of the University of Idaho
, leaving Vlasic to compete with Friesz and David Archer
for the backup quarterback job. As the preseason began for the 1990 San Diego Chargers season
, the team released Archer, and the plan was for Friesz to split backup quarterback duties during the preseason. After an impressive preseason by Vlasic and only a pedestrian one by Tolliver, Chargers coach Dan Henning
named Vlasic as the starting quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys
in the season opener, citing that he was "steadier" than Tolliver. After losing the game 17–14, the switch was made back to Tolliver as the starting quarterback, and was eventually named starter for the rest of the season. Despite this, Vlasic remained optimistic, saying, "I feel confident in my ability, and I always have. I know I can get the job done whatever the situation. I have to believe that." Over the course of the 1990 season, Vlasic played in six games, completing 19 of 40 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 46.7.
At the end of the season, coach Henning said that Tolliver was to be the starter heading into next season, and that the team would not protect Vlasic under Plan B free agency
, meaning he could sign with any interested team. As a result, he began to meet with other teams that were looking for a quarterback, including the Cowboys and Green Bay Packers
.
, it was reported that Vlasic signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs in March, with Vlasic's agent confirming but Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson
denying it. The Cowboys stated that they would not enter a bidding war, and the signing was confirmed shortly afterward. Vlasic spent the 1991 preseason competing with Steve Pelluer
and Mike Elkins
for the backup quarterback job. By the end of the preseason, both Pelluer and Elkins were cut, leaving Vlasic as the backup behind Steve DeBerg
. He spent most of the season backing up DeBerg and getting occasional action. His most significant day as a backup came on November 17 against the Denver Broncos
. Vlasic relieved DeBerg, who had thrown four interceptions, and completed nine of 14 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in a 24–20 loss. The highlight of Vlasic's season was a matchup on December 8 against his old team, the Chargers. After replacing DeBerg in the second half with the Chiefs down by 14 points, Vlasic completed 12 of 18 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs beat the Chargers in overtime, 20–17, and giving the Chiefs a playoff berth in the process. As a result of this performance, Vlasic was given the start for next week's game against the San Francisco 49ers
. However, he sprained his knee in the second quarter, and did not play the final regular season game. Vlasic missed the wild card playoff game against the Oakland Raiders
, but was available for the divisional playoff series against the Buffalo Bills
. After DeBerg left in the second quarter due to injury, Vlasic entered the game in what was his only playoff appearance. He completed nine of 20 passes for 124 yards and threw four interceptions in a 37–14 blowout that marked the end of the Chiefs' playoff
run. Vlasic's stats for 1991 were 28 completions in 44 attempts, 316 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 100.2.
As the 1992 Kansas City Chiefs season
began, the team's first big move was the signing of quarterback Dave Krieg
to compete with DeBerg and Vlasic. A couple weeks after Krieg's signing, DeBerg signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, leaving Vlasic as the primary backup to Krieg. The Chiefs went into training camp and went through the preseason with Krieg, Vlasic, and rookie draft pick Matt Blundin
. Krieg ended up playing every snap of the season, leaving both Vlasic without a year's worth of playing time as his contract expired. The trading of Joe Montana
to the Chiefs put a definitive end to Vlasic's time in Kansas City.
, reuniting himself with former teammate Steve DeBerg. Vlasic began the preseason competing the third string quarterback job behind Mike Pawlawski
while DeBerg and Craig Erickson
competed for the starting job. At the end of preseason, however, Vlasic was among the final group cut by the Buccaneers. When DeBerg was cut from the team in early November, Vlasic was re-signed to the team in his place. He remained on the roster for the 1994 preseason, but his only preseason pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, and he was waived shortly afterward. This marked the end of Vlasic's professional football career.
He has a wife, Amy, two daughters, and a son.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
who played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) for six seasons. During this time, he played for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. Over the course of his career, he played in 15 games, completed 75 of 142 passes for 762 yards, threw four touchdowns and five interceptions, and finished his career with a passer rating of 63.2.
A graduate of Center High School and the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, Vlasic was selected 88th in the 1987 NFL Draft
1987 NFL Draft
The 1987 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 28–29, 1987...
by the San Diego Chargers. He was a backup for Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
during his first season, then started two games the following year. After not seeing playing time in 1989, Vlasic started the season opener in 1990, his last year with San Diego. He played for two seasons with Kansas City and one with Tampa Bay, but was released in 1994, having not had actual playing time since 1991.
High school and college
Vlasic was born in Rochester, PennsylvaniaRochester, Pennsylvania
Rochester is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located northwest of Pittsburgh, it is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 4,014 at the 2000 census....
. He attended high school at Center High School in Center Township, Pennsylvania
Center Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Center Township is a township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States.Center Township is a rapidly growing community located approximately northwest of Pittsburgh...
, and was a standout in football and basketball during his time there. He was the starting quarterback for Center in his junior year, throwing for 777 yards in the first eight games of the season. In his junior year of basketball, Vlasic was a starter, in one game scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
with a bad back. He continued to play football and basketball during his senior year, with performances that included a 36-point effort against Las Vegas Western High School, making 18 of 20 shots. As a result of his high school career, Vlasic was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
After graduating from high school, Vlasic played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. For four years, he served as a backup to Chuck Long
Chuck Long
Chuck Long is an American football coach. He played quarterback in college at Iowa for Hayden Fry and professionally with the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He is an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame. In the January 2008 issue of San Diego Magazine he was chosen as one of...
, now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
. During his junior year, as the backup quarterback, he also served as the holder for field goal kicks. After placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Rob Houghtlin
Rob Houghtlin
Rob Houghtlin was a kicker for the University of Iowa’s football team from 1985-1987. He made four game-winning field goals in his career, the most memorable of which led Iowa to a victory over Michigan in 1985....
won a 12-10 game against the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
thanks to a last second field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
, a mob tore down the goalpost, which injured four fans including Vlasic, who was at the bottom of a pile of fans.
The following season Vlasic, now a fifth-year senior, became the starter, as Long graduated. Although he was taking over for the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
runner-up, his strong arm was complimented, albeit backhandedly, by coach Hayden Fry
Hayden Fry
John Hayden Fry is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Southern Methodist University , North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas , and the University of Iowa , compiling a career college football record of 232–178–10...
, who said, "He's got a stronger arm than Long, and he proves it every day by overthrowing his receivers." In Vlasic's first game as starter, he threw for 288 yards in a 43-7 win against Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, a game that made Hayden Fry the winningest coach in Iowa football history. After two more victories, Vlasic went down with a separated shoulder, returning to the lineup after freshmen Dan McGwire
Dan McGwire
Daniel Scott McGwire is a former American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.-Early life:...
and Tom Poholsky took over the starting role. In a late October game against Northwestern, Vlasic threw a 93-yard touchdown pass to Quinn Early
Quinn Early
Quinn Remar Early is a former professional American football player who was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 1988 NFL Draft. A 6'0", . wide receiver from the University of Iowa, Early played in 12 NFL seasons from 1988 to 1999...
, the longest in Iowa history, in a 27-20 victory against Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. Despite his injury causing him to serve as a backup most of the season, he was given the start for the 1986 Holiday Bowl
1986 Holiday Bowl
The 1986 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 1986 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the 19th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, and the unranked San Diego State Aztecs....
against San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
. In the Holiday Bowl, Vlasic completed 15 of 28 passes 222 yards and ran for a touchdown as Iowa won, 39-38.
San Diego Chargers
Vlasic was selected by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL Draft
1987 NFL Draft
The 1987 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 28–29, 1987...
. Chargers coach Al Saunders
Al Saunders
Al Saunders is the current offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.-Early life and playing career:Born in London, England, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1960, and is one of four foreign-born coaches in the NFL...
chose
Vlasic because he wanted to find a young quarterback to observe and succeed Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
. He signed with the team in late July, and spent the preseason competing with Rick Neuheisel
Rick Neuheisel
Richard Gerald "Rick" Neuheisel, Jr. , is an American football coach, former player, and attorney. He was most recently the head football coach at University of California, Los Angeles, a position he held from 2008 to 2011...
, Tom Flick
Tom Flick
Thomas Lyle Flick is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 4th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 190 lbs. quarterback from the University of Washington, Flick played in seven NFL seasons from 1981-1987...
, and others for the backup quarterback job. While he performed well in the preseason, the Chargers were looking to have him sit out a year so he could learn the ins-and-outs or pro football. After Flick was cut and Mark Herrmann
Mark Herrmann
Mark James Herrmann is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL. He was Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, before budget cutbacks. However, he is best known for his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers...
named the primary backup, Vlasic beat out Neuheisel for the final quarterback spot on the Chargers' roster, though Neuheisel would rejoin the team later that season due to the strike. Despite making the roster, Vlasic spent most of the season after the players' strike on the team's inactive list. However, when Fouts was scratched from a December game against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
due to a shoulder injury, Vlasic was called up to be Herrman's backup. He made his professional debut on December 27, 1987, playing the final 5:29 of the game. He completed three of six passes for eight yards, was sacked, and threw an interception in the Chargers' 24-0 loss against Denver.
Before the 1988 San Diego Chargers season
1988 San Diego Chargers season
The 1988 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 8–7 record in 1987. It was Al Saunders's final season as the team's head coach.-Schedule:-Standings:-See also:*1988 NFL season...
began, Dan Fouts chose to retire from the game after 15 seasons, leaving Vlasic as the main backup to starter Mark Herrmann, and as a result the Chargers began trying to trade for an experienced quarterback. The Chargers also signed Mark Malone
Mark Malone
Mark M. Malone is a former American football quarterback in the NFL.-Playing career:Malone was the nation's most recruited quarterback in 1975 out of El Cajon Valley High School near San Diego, California...
and Babe Laufenberg
Babe Laufenberg
Brandon Hugh 'Babe' Laufenberg is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the Kansas City Chiefs...
to compete for the starting job, and traded Herrmann to the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. After months of training and the 1988 preseason, Vlasic began the season as the third string quarterback behind Malone and Laufenberg, who won the starting job. In November, after Laufenberg was injured, the Chargers decided to make Vlasic the starter instead of Malone due to the latter's ineffectiveness, as well as a six game losing streak. He made his season debut against the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on November 13, and threw for 190 yards in a 10–7 victory. As a result of his performance, coach Al Saunders said that Vlasic would have the starting job for the rest of the season. Vlasic's second start came against the Los Angeles Rams where he threw for 80 yards and a touchdown. However, he suffered torn ligaments in his left knee late in the third quarter, and was lost for the season. He finished the season with 25 of 52 passes completed and a passer rating
Passer rating
Passer rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
of 54.2.
Vlasic spent the 1989 off-season recovering form his injury, while the Chargers added another quarterback to the roster upon drafting Billy Joe Tolliver
Billy Joe Tolliver
Billy Joe Tolliver is a former American football player who played in the National Football League and Canadian Football League for twelve seasons. During this time, he played for the San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Oilers, Shreveport Pirates, Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints...
. After working out with the team during the preseason, he started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform
Physically Unable to Perform
Players can be labeled Physically Unable to Perform in the National Football League if they suffer from football-related injuries during the preseason...
list. With the Chargers having a reliable starter in Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon
James Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
, who had been signed to the team, Vlasic was kept on the list for the season. In 1990, McMahon was released and John Friesz
John Friesz
John Melvin "Deep" Friesz is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots....
was drafted out of the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
, leaving Vlasic to compete with Friesz and David Archer
David Archer
David Mark Archer is a former professional American football player. A 6'2" undrafted quarterback from Snow College and Iowa State University, Archer played six seasons in the National Football League from 1984 to 1989 for the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and...
for the backup quarterback job. As the preseason began for the 1990 San Diego Chargers season
1990 San Diego Chargers season
The 1990 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 6–10 record in 1989. It was the third straight year they won six games.-Schedule:-See also:*1990 NFL season...
, the team released Archer, and the plan was for Friesz to split backup quarterback duties during the preseason. After an impressive preseason by Vlasic and only a pedestrian one by Tolliver, Chargers coach Dan Henning
Dan Henning
-External links:...
named Vlasic as the starting quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the season opener, citing that he was "steadier" than Tolliver. After losing the game 17–14, the switch was made back to Tolliver as the starting quarterback, and was eventually named starter for the rest of the season. Despite this, Vlasic remained optimistic, saying, "I feel confident in my ability, and I always have. I know I can get the job done whatever the situation. I have to believe that." Over the course of the 1990 season, Vlasic played in six games, completing 19 of 40 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 46.7.
At the end of the season, coach Henning said that Tolliver was to be the starter heading into next season, and that the team would not protect Vlasic under Plan B free agency
Plan B free agency
The Plan B free agency was a type of free agency that became active in the National Football League in February 1989. Plan B free agency permitted all teams in the NFL to preserve limited rights of no more than 37 total players a season...
, meaning he could sign with any interested team. As a result, he began to meet with other teams that were looking for a quarterback, including the Cowboys and Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
.
Kansas City Chiefs
After meeting with the Cowboys and Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, it was reported that Vlasic signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs in March, with Vlasic's agent confirming but Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson
Carl Peterson
Carl D. Peterson grew up in Long Beach, California, and is an alumnus of UCLA. He is best known as the former president, general manager, and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
denying it. The Cowboys stated that they would not enter a bidding war, and the signing was confirmed shortly afterward. Vlasic spent the 1991 preseason competing with Steve Pelluer
Steve Pelluer
Steven Carl Pelluer is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 209-lb...
and Mike Elkins
Mike Elkins
Michael David Elkins is a former quarterback in the National Football League and the World League of American Football . In the NFL, Elkins played for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Oilers. In the WLAF, he played for the Sacramento Surge. Elkins attended Wake Forest...
for the backup quarterback job. By the end of the preseason, both Pelluer and Elkins were cut, leaving Vlasic as the backup behind Steve DeBerg
Steve DeBerg
Steven Leroy DeBerg had a long career as an American Football quarterback. His career spanned 21 years over 3 decades. Despite the fact that large portions of his career were spent as a backup, DeBerg ultimately accumulated some impressive NFL statistics, particularly during the early 1990s, when...
. He spent most of the season backing up DeBerg and getting occasional action. His most significant day as a backup came on November 17 against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Vlasic relieved DeBerg, who had thrown four interceptions, and completed nine of 14 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in a 24–20 loss. The highlight of Vlasic's season was a matchup on December 8 against his old team, the Chargers. After replacing DeBerg in the second half with the Chiefs down by 14 points, Vlasic completed 12 of 18 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs beat the Chargers in overtime, 20–17, and giving the Chiefs a playoff berth in the process. As a result of this performance, Vlasic was given the start for next week's game against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. However, he sprained his knee in the second quarter, and did not play the final regular season game. Vlasic missed the wild card playoff game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but was available for the divisional playoff series against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After DeBerg left in the second quarter due to injury, Vlasic entered the game in what was his only playoff appearance. He completed nine of 20 passes for 124 yards and threw four interceptions in a 37–14 blowout that marked the end of the Chiefs' playoff
NFL playoffs, 1991-92
The NFL playoffs following the 1991 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXVI.-Bracket:-AFC: Kansas City Chiefs 10, Los Angeles Raiders 6:Chiefs Quarterback Steve DeBerg completed a play-action 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Fred Jones in the second quarter, which was the difference in K.C.'s...
run. Vlasic's stats for 1991 were 28 completions in 44 attempts, 316 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 100.2.
As the 1992 Kansas City Chiefs season
1992 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 1992 Kansas City Chiefs season ended with a 10–6 record and Wild Card spot in the 1993 playoffs. The Chiefs were shut out by the San Diego Chargers 0–17 in the Wild Card round....
began, the team's first big move was the signing of quarterback Dave Krieg
Dave Krieg
David Michael Krieg is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He attended Milton College and made the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent...
to compete with DeBerg and Vlasic. A couple weeks after Krieg's signing, DeBerg signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, leaving Vlasic as the primary backup to Krieg. The Chiefs went into training camp and went through the preseason with Krieg, Vlasic, and rookie draft pick Matt Blundin
Matt Blundin
Matthew Brent Blundin is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was a back-up quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions during the 1990s.-College career:...
. Krieg ended up playing every snap of the season, leaving both Vlasic without a year's worth of playing time as his contract expired. The trading of Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
to the Chiefs put a definitive end to Vlasic's time in Kansas City.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On April 30, 1992 Vlasic signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, reuniting himself with former teammate Steve DeBerg. Vlasic began the preseason competing the third string quarterback job behind Mike Pawlawski
Mike Pawlawski
Mike Pawlawski Mike Pawlawski Mike Pawlawski (born July 18, 1969 in Los Angeles, California is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, Arena Football League, and XFL. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the eighth round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
while DeBerg and Craig Erickson
Craig Erickson
Craig Neil Erickson is a former professional quarterback who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 1991 NFL Draft and also by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 4th round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He is one of the few NFL players to be drafted twice, most famously Bo...
competed for the starting job. At the end of preseason, however, Vlasic was among the final group cut by the Buccaneers. When DeBerg was cut from the team in early November, Vlasic was re-signed to the team in his place. He remained on the roster for the 1994 preseason, but his only preseason pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, and he was waived shortly afterward. This marked the end of Vlasic's professional football career.
Personal life
Before his inaugural season of pro football, Vlasic, a finance major at Iowa, got a real estate license in case pro football did not work out. Vlasic is currently the Director of RSM McGladrey's Wealth Management team in their Kansas City office.He has a wife, Amy, two daughters, and a son.