Background
Marcol lived in Poland until the age of 14, when his father committed suicide, forcing Marcol"s mother to send their family to the United States.
Marcol lived in Poland until the age of 14, when his father committed suicide, forcing Marcol"s mother to send their family to the United States.
He attended Imlay City High School in Michigan without much knowledge of the English language. He attended Hillsdale College where he was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American and holds the record for longest field goal.
He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987. In Poland, Marcol had great kicking abilities in soccer. His gym teacher discovered his talent and showed him the game of football.
Marcol was selected by Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft.
He may best be known for his game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears on 7 September 1980. On opening day of the 1980 NFL season, the Packers were tied 6-6 with the Bears in overtime.
Marcol"s kick was blocked and deflected straight back to him. He caught the ball, ran around the startled Bears, and was able to make it 25 yards into the end zone to give the Packers a 12-6 victory.
He later acknowledged that he was high on cocaine during the game"s second half.
Marcol was cut by head coach Baronet Starr on 8 October 1980 following a rough game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Starr said Marcol was cut because of poor kickoffs, but Marcol felt it was because of his cocaine use. He signed with the Houston Oilers when they came to Green Bay for a game on 14 December 1980.
lieutenant was determined very late that week that Oilers kicker Toni Fritsch would be unable to play.
Marcol was in Green Bay, so the Oilers claimed him off waivers. Marcol remained with the Oilers for the rest of the season, but did not play again due to Fritsch"s return.
On 14 February 1986, Marcol attempted suicide by drinking a mixture of battery acid, rat poison, and vodka, which severely damaged his esophagus. He has his esophagus stretched as treatment.
Marcol is a resident of the Upper Peninsula community of Dollar Bay, Michigan.
He slowly recovered from his addictions, but still suffers from hepatitis C and a heart condition. He works on weekends as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor near his home. Marcol published a memoir in September 2011 entitled "Alive and Kicking: My Journey Through Football, Addiction and Life." He discusses his childhood, immigration to the United States, playing for the Packers, and his fall from grace.