Rolf Benirschke
Interviewed by Jess Newell
As the third most accurate placekicker in NFL history at the time of his retirement, Rolf Benirschke had an illustrious 10-year career with the San Diego Chargers.
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Listen to “Episode 1 | To The Mountaintop with Rolf Bernirschke” on Spreaker.Rolf received numerous honors during his career including NFL Man of the Year; The Breibart Award, Comeback Player of the Year; Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Most Courageous Athlete; NFL Players Association Hero of the Year; NFL Justice Byron Whizzer White Award; and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. In 1997 he became the twentieth player to be inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame, and was named to the Chargers’ All-Time team. In 2004 he was inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
In his second year with the Chargers, he would be forced to embark on a journey that would lead to deep despair and self-discovery. It would require four major abdominal surgeries and challenge his very life before returning him to the highest of heights. He would go on to take all of the lessons he has learned and devote his time and energy to inspiring others to climb to their mountaintop. He has become the model for turning into adversity into action and activism for others.
Rolf is married to Mary Michaletz Benirschke, a speech pathologist, and they reside in San Diego. The couple has four children, Erik, Kari, Tim, and Ryan. Three of his children have special needs including cerebral palsy, brain injury and developmental delays, which further sparks the couple’s advocacy for those in need and gives them more compassion and understanding of life’s gifts and challenges.
For more information on Rolf, please visit www.rolfbenirschke.com
Game winner vs. Tampa Bay 1981
Interviewer:
Jess Newell
I am playing Division 1 Water Polo at UC Irvine and studying biomedical engineering with the ultimate goal of attending medical school and becoming a surgeon. I have spent my summers working for the San Diego Junior Lifeguard program. I look forward to more opportunities to work with younger kids in water polo and am excited to be an Anteater!
