The answer is no. Brett Rypien is not Mark Rypien’s son, but his nephew. Brett and Mark are both professional football quarterbacks who have played in the National Football League (NFL), but they have different parents and grew up in different households. However, they share a strong family bond and a passion for the game of football.
In this article, we will explore the history of the Rypien family, their achievements on and off the field, and their personal struggles and triumphs.
The Rypien Family: A History of Football Legacy
Mark Rypien was born on October 2, 1962, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He moved to Spokane, Washington, when he was three years old and became a naturalized American citizen. He was a star athlete in high school, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He accepted a football scholarship to Washington State University, where he played as a quarterback from 1981 to 1985.
Mark was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He spent most of his career with the Redskins, leading them to two Super Bowl victories in 1988 and 1992. He was named the Super Bowl XXVI MVP after throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns against the Buffalo Bills. He also played for several other NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, the St. Louis Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Seattle Seahawks. He retired from the NFL in 2002.
Brett Rypien was born on July 9, 1996, in Spokane, Washington. He is the son of Tim and Julie Rypien. Tim is Mark’s younger brother and also played football as a quarterback at Shadle Park High School and Washington State University. Julie is a former volleyball player who met Tim at WSU. Brett has two sisters, Amanda and Angela, and had a younger brother, Andrew, who passed away in 2010.
Brett Rypien’s Early Years and High School Accomplishments
Brett grew up idolizing his uncle Mark and wanted to follow in his footsteps as a quarterback. He started playing football at a young age and showed great talent and potential. He attended Shadle Park High School, the same school that Mark and Tim had attended. There, he became one of the most prolific passers in Washington state history.
By the time he graduated from high school in 2014, he had set several state records for career passing yards (13,044), pass completions (1,006), single-season passing yards (4,552), single-season touchdowns (50), single-game passing yards (613), and single-game pass completions (44). He also won several awards and honors, such as the Washington State Player of the Year in 2014. He graduated early from Shadle Park as a 4.0 GPA student and valedictorian.
College and Professional Career
Brett committed to Boise State University in April 2014 and enrolled in January 2015. He played as a quarterback for the Boise State Broncos from 2015 to 2018. He had an impressive college career, throwing for 13,581 yards and 90 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 64%. He was named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and earned three first-team All-MWC selections.
Brett entered the 2019 NFL Draft but was not selected by any team. He signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in May 2019. He made his NFL debut on September 27, 2020, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to win his first start while throwing three interceptions against zero touchdowns. He also played for the Broncos in 2021 before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in March 2023.
Personal Life and Family Tragedy
Brett’s life has not been without challenges and hardships. In May 2010, when Brett was only 13 years old, he lost his younger brother Andrew to brain cancer. Andrew was eight years old when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain tumor. He underwent several surgeries, chemotherapy sessions, and radiation treatments before succumbing to the disease on May 14, 2010.
The loss of Andrew devastated Brett and his family. They created a foundation called Rypien25 to honor Andrew’s memory and support other families affected by pediatric cancer. Brett also wears number 11 on his jersey as a tribute to Andrew’s birthday, November 11.
Brett has a close relationship with his uncle Mark, who has been his mentor and role model throughout his football journey. Mark has supported Brett’s career and given him advice and encouragement. They often talk on the phone and exchange texts before and after games. Mark has also faced his own personal struggles, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and the death of his three-year-old son in 1998. He has been open about his mental health issues and has sought help from therapy and medication.
Brett and Mark are not only related by blood, but also by their love for football. They share a family legacy that spans generations and continents. They are both proud of their Canadian heritage and their American citizenship. They are both passionate, resilient, and determined to overcome any obstacles in their way. They are both Rypien quarterbacks, but they are not father and son. They are uncle and nephew.
Conclusion
Brett Rypien is not Mark Rypien’s son, but his nephew. They are both professional football quarterbacks who have played in the NFL, but they have different parents and grew up in different households. However, they share a strong family bond and a passion for the game of football. They have both achieved remarkable feats on the field and faced tragic losses off the field. They have both inspired and supported each other throughout their careers and lives. They are both Rypien quarterbacks, but they are more than that. They are family.
