Don Majkowski

Donald Vincent Majkowski, also known as “Majik Man,” was born on February 25, 1964, in Buffalo, NY. He attended Fork Union Military Academy before playing college football at the University of Virginia. During his time with the Virginia Cavaliers, Majkowski became the starting quarterback partway through the 1983 season. In 1984, he led the team to their first-ever bowl appearance and victory in the Peach Bowl, marking a significant achievement in the school’s football history.

Majkowski’s professional career began when he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the tenth round (255th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft. After splitting time at quarterback in his initial seasons, Majkowski had a breakthrough year in 1989. He was named the starting quarterback and recorded an NFL-leading 4,318 passing yards, along with 27 touchdowns. This performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection, a significant milestone in his career. His 1989 season also included a notable victory against the Chicago Bears, where a key touchdown play was upheld after instant replay review.

Following his impactful 1989 season, Majkowski signed a one-year contract for over $1.5 million in September 1990. However, his career with the Packers was affected by injuries, including a torn rotator cuff in the 1990 season and a ligament tear in his ankle in 1992. The latter injury led to Brett Favre taking over as quarterback, ultimately changing the trajectory of Majkowski’s tenure with the team. After six seasons with the Packers, Majkowski moved to the Indianapolis Colts for two seasons (1993-1994) and concluded his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 1995 and 1996. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2005, recognizing his contributions to the franchise.