:Markus Koch
{{Short description|German gridiron football player (born 1963)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Markus Koch
| number = 74
| position = Defensive end
Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|2|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Marsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 270
| high_school = Eastwood Collegiate Institute
(Canada)
| college = Boise St.
| draftyear = 1986
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 30
| cfldraftyear = 1986
| cfldraftround = 1
| cfldraftpick = 3
| pastteams =
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1986|1991}})
| highlights =
- 2× Super Bowl champion (XXII, XXVI)
| statlabel1 = Sacks
| statvalue1 = 10.5
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 3
| pfr = KochMa20
}}
Markus Koch (born February 13, 1963) is a German-born former professional American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins team which won a Super Bowl in 1988. He played high school football at the Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ontario and played college football at Boise State University.
Koch served as vice president of the Seattle chapter of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).{{Cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_wa/603075293|title = NFLPA FORMER PLAYERS CHAPTER OF SEATTLE, INC.:: Washington (US):: OpenCorporates}}
Having finished his career before the internet age, Koch is overlooked by the media, which call Sebastian Vollmer of the Patriots the first German to be drafted (2nd, 2009) by the NFL and to win a Super Bowl. This is because Koch, unlike Vollmer, never learned the sport at a German club and never played in a German amateur league.
College career
Koch was a three-time All-American at Boise State, playing from 1982-85.{{cite web | url=http://varsityb.com/hall-of-fame/markus-koch/ | title=VARSITY B - Official Letter Winners Club of Boise State University }} For three consecutive years he was selected first-team All-Big Sky Conference (1983–85).
Professional career
In the 1986 NFL draft, Koch was selected in the 2nd round as the 30th overall pick by the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was also selected in the 1986 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts.{{Cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/sport/sonst/markus-koch-ist-der-erste-deutsche-super-bowl-gewinner-a-1075880.html|title = Markus Koch ist der erste deutsche Super Bowl Gewinner|newspaper = Der Spiegel|date = 6 February 2016|last1 = Oldörp|first1 = Heiko}}
Koch played in Super Bowl XXII in 1988 and was on injured reserve for Super Bowl XXVI in 1992.{{Cite web|url=http://broncosports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020711aab.html|title = Boise State University Athletics - Official Athletics Website}}
Koch injured his knee during the October 6, 1991 20-7 victory over the Chicago Bears and was replaced by Jason Buck. This would be the last time Koch played in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/187348/REDSKINS-SIGN-BUCK.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124195243/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/187348/REDSKINS-SIGN-BUCK.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 24, 2015|title=Redskins Sign Buck|website=Deseret News|date=9 October 1991}}
Koch was inducted into the Boise State Hall of Fame in 1993.
Life after football
After spending six years in the NFL, Koch received his License Massage Practitioner, Craniosacral Therapist, Acupressure Therapist, Reflexologist, Certified Yoga Instructor, and Vipassana Meditation Instructor qualifications. In his work he uses acupressure, life coaching, energy work, massage therapy, and reflexology.{{cite web|url=http://www.gotprohealth.com/MI/ |title=Got Pro Health: Welcome |access-date=2015-01-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502032422/http://www.gotprohealth.com/MI/ |archive-date=2012-05-02 }} He works with his wife at Holistic PT in Port Townsend, Washington.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
Koch and his wife Amy were featured in "The Crazy Wisdom Journal" for their massage therapy work.{{Cite web|url=http://issuu.com/cwcommunityjournal/docs/calameo_issue_53_two/16|title = Issue 53 by CW Community Journal - Issuu| date=3 November 2013 }} They also guide yearly retreats to Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://www.guidesforjohnofgod.com/markus--amy-koch-guides.html |title=Markus and Amy Koch - Guides for John of God |access-date=2015-01-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201074955/http://www.guidesforjohnofgod.com/markus--amy-koch-guides.html |archive-date=2015-02-01 }}
Personal life
Koch currently lives in Port Townsend, Washington.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Redskins1986DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XXII}}
{{Super Bowl XXVI}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Koch, Markus}}
Category:German players of American football
Category:American football defensive linemen