Biography

Choate was born Mark Putnam Choate on December 11, 1956 in Big Spring, Texas

Big Spring, Texas

Big Spring is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Texas, United States, at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 87 and Interstate 20. With a population of 25,233 at the 2000 census, it is the largest city between Midland to the west, Abilene to the east, Lubbock to the north, and San Angelo...

.. Choate attended Coachoma, TX H.S. before attending Southern Methodist University.

Career

Choate was signed as an undrafted free agent by 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...

 in May 1979. He spent the entire 1979 season on injured reserve after suffering a broken leg in training camp on August 13, 1979.

He was released by the Falcons following the season and then was cut by the Houston Oilers on August 1, 1980.

After spending two years out of football, Choate was signed as a free agent by the USFL's Denver Gold

Denver Gold

The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...

 on December 7, 1982.

In 1983, Choate started all 18 games for the Gold and recorded a team-high 178 tackles. He also rushed 5 times for 148 yards for 2 TD's - both scored on fake punts.

Prior to the 1984 campaign, Choate was surprisingly traded by the Gold to the expansion San Antonio Gunslingers on February 13, 1984 for quarterback Bob Gagliano. Choate went onto spearhead the "Bounty Hunter" defensive unit in San Antonio starting all 18 games recording 197 tackles, 6 sacks and 2 interceptions (1 for a TD return).

In 1985, Choate once again led the Gunslingers by starting all 18 games, making 142 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception.

The USFL folded in August of 1986, however, Choate was just one of 3 players in USFL history to play and start in all 54 regular season games over three season.

After being a member of the San Antonio Gunslingers

San Antonio Gunslingers

The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas that played in the USFL in 1984 and 1985. Rick Neuheisel was the team's quarterback and only recognizable name. The team played in Alamo Stadium...

 of the United States Football League

United States Football League

The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...

, Choate played with the 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...

 during the 1987 NFL season

1987 NFL season

The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...

. He played at the collegiate level at Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...

.