• Mark Bruener

    Class of 1991
     
    Mark Bruener's football career included noteworthy accomplishments in the high school, college and professional ranks.
     
    A three-year starter at tight end and linebacker, he owns AHS records in receptions, reception yardage, tackles for losses and blocked kicks. He earned all-state recognition on both offense and defense as a senior and was also selected as the Black Hills League Player of the Year. He graduated from Aberdeen with a 3.7 grade point average.

    Mark went on to become a three-year starter at the University of Washington, earning all-Pac10 Conference honors twice and Newspaper Enterprise Association All-America recognition in 1993. As a freshman, he caught a touchdown pass in the Rose Bowl to help the unbeaten Huskies claim a share of the national championship. He completed his career as the Huskies' career leader in receptions by a tight end with 90.

    A first round draft choice in 1995, he played on the Steelers' 1996 Super Bowl team and was an alternate to the Pro Bowl game in 1998. Bruener played nine seasons with the Steelers, and five with the Houston Texans. He retired from playing in 2008, and now serves as a scout in the Steelers organization.