The Jets chose two defensive linemen during the 1987 NFL Draft, Gerald Nichols and Ron McLean. And added another from that draft class the following year when they claimed Mark Garalczyk, a two-time All-MAC defensive tackle and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Western Michigan, off of waivers from the Cardinals.
"It was a numbers game back then and was a toss-up between me and Bob Clasby. But (defensive line) Coach (Jim) Johnson coached Clasby at Notre Dame, and Bob played a stint in the USFL, where Jim was coach. And because he was three, four years older than me, and I was in my second in the NFL, you play your roles," Garalczyk said.
"I think there were six or seven games that I played when Bob was hurt. And when he came back, Coach Johnson came up to me and goes, 'Hey, good job filling in. We're pleased with the way you performed, but Bob's going to be starting this week.' But it is what it is. Everyone gets opportunities, but a bit of luck, too."
After playing in seven games for the Cardinals, Garalczyk joined the Jets on October 24.
"I didn't know much about the organization, but it was kind of night and day. Just the way they treated you was more business-orientated at the Jets," Garalczyk said. "And as a young guy, I grew up in Detroit on the east side, and so when I got acquired by the Jets, I was really excited to have another opportunity. Especially on the East Coast.
"Bud Carson was our D.C., and I had a short visit with him because I came in midweek and we played in Pittsburgh that first game. So they just inserted me in and thank God, I played them before, so their scheme was basically the same."
With four tackles and a half sack, Garalczyk helped the Jets win the Week 9 game, 24-20, personally having a hand in giving Steelers Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll two losses in four games, after helping the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh in Week 6, 31-14.
"What I remember most about that game was the fourth quarter goal line stand that I had. I made two tackles, I believe one of them for a loss," Garalczyk said. "Basically, keeping Pittsburgh out so that we prevailed after that stop. And Coach Carson during film study, commended me on the plays that I made in that series."
Joining Houston as a Plan B free agent in 1989, Garalczyk valued the Jet faithful during his season with the Green & White.
"I appreciated the fan base and being cheered on," he said. "(With the Cardinals) even though it was our first year in Arizona, it's a transient state. Sports teams that come in there, they seem like they're the home team. So I did appreciate coming out on the field and being cheered and when our offense or defense made plays."
Making his home in the Phoenix suburb of Cape Creek, Arizona, Garalczyk has three daughters. Sydney, who is an emergency room nurse; Hailey, who is a kindergarten teacher; and Alyssa, who recently graduated from Michigan State with a degree in sports medicine.
Following football, Garalczyk opened an American Family Insurance agency in 1995 with who is now his ex-wife. And after 17 years, he decided to go into coaching.
"I did some high school coaching and probably about eight years at the college level at Lock Haven (PA) University and then at a JUCO, Phoenix (AZ) College," Garalczyk said. "Basically, in the past, you get two years and they move on. But I saw what I can do in two years. Nowadays, it's a little bit different with the portal and stuff like that. Kids are coming and going constantly.
"And then for 10 years, I worked for Edkey Charter Schools. I was a crisis prevention interventionist. I worked with kids that have emotional problems and with autism kids in our programs. It was basically helping the kids with IEPs [Individualized Education Programs] and emotionally disturbed kids that were singled out in a public school. Just giving them more guidance. And I also taught CPI to staff members for 14 schools."
Back surgeries, however, led Garalczyk to return to coaching and he has worked with USA Football for about five years.
"I got selected to be a defensive line coach and I do regional camps for them," he said. "We'll go to Denver, California, Seattle. The kids will come in there for our week camp and vie for spots on the USA Football team. And then I also do some local camps."
What does he enjoy most about working with the high-school-aged boys?
"The determination they have to become better people and better athletes," Garalczyk said. "Not like kids that I grew up with. It seems like these kids are more studious and more caring kids, but they also want to become a little bit better in their athletic lives."
