tony mandarich

Ante Josip “Tony” Mandarich is a former Canadian Football tackle who spent seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was the second overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, and he also played for the Indianapolis Colts. Mandarich was dubbed “the finest offensive line prospect ever” during his NCAA career at Michigan State, and was drafted in the top five of his draft class, among future Pro Football Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders. Mandarich, on the other hand, failed to meet expectations and was discharged after four seasons with the squad. He returned to football after a five-year hiatus with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played for three seasons.

Mandarich started taking wildlife photography as a pastime in 1990 and now manages a photographic studio. Mandarich Media Group, his company, has extended to encompass photography, video production, site design, search engine optimization, and internet marketing. Mandarich spoke about his former drug use and addiction in the March 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated, as well as his book, My Dirty Little Secrets — Steroids, Alcohol, and God. Mandarich went on to detail his harrowing and victorious rehabilitation experience, as well as his eventual comeback to the NFL. In 2019, as part of its sports newsmagazine series E:60, ESPN aired an hour-long documentary about Mandarich.