Part 1/9:
The Rise and Fall of Tony Mandarich: A Cautionary Tale of NFL Ambition
When discussing the 1989 NFL Draft, football fans often highlight it as one of the greatest classes in draft history. With four of the first five picks — Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders — destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the draft established a high standard for talent. However, one pick remains a glaring exception: Tony Mandarich, selected second overall by the Green Bay Packers. Once heralded as the “best offensive line prospect ever,” his career became a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance, substance abuse, and unchecked ambition.