Milwaukee (BVM) — Mark Tauscher – Wisconsin’s homegrown hero – was born and raised in Wisconsin. Tauscher attended Auburndale High School before attending UW-Madison and playing football for the Badgers. Tauscher then was drafted and played his entire professional career with his home state Green Bay Packers.

While attending Auburndale High School, Tauscher did not consider any other NCAA division I schools other than UW-Madison. 

While attending UW-Madison, Tauscher eventually worked his way into starting on the offensive line as a tackle. It was during this time Tauscher contributed mightily, blocking for Ron Dayne en route to Dayne’s NCAA record setting career. 

While playing for the Badgers, Tauscher won two Rose Bowl championships, in 1999 and 2000.

In the middle of Tauscher’s final season as a Badger he started hearing rumors he was good enough to be drafted to the NFL.

Tauscher finished his playing days as a Badger, then entered the NFL draft. It was then that Tauscher was drafted by his home state Green Bay Packers.

“Oh – I was excited,”  Tauscher said. “There’s just a lot of anxiety.”

Tauscher was drafted with the 18th pick in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL draft by the Packers. 

“I was disappointed it went to the seventh round,” Tauscher said.

Despite having to wait until the seventh round Tauscher was excited to be drafted by the Packers.

“Once you get that phone call…I couldn’t have been more excited,” Tauscher said.

Tauscher began his first season on the bench as a backup, however, it was not long before he made his way into the starting lineup. 

In the second game of the 2000 season starting right tackle Earl Dotson, who had missed most of the pre-season with injuries, was sidelined with a back injury thrusting Tauscher into the lineup. 

Tauscher started his first game the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles. From that point forward, Tauscher was the starting right tackle for the Packers until his final season in 2010. 

In 2010, Tauscher capped his career with a championship, as the Packers went on to win Super Bowl XLV, though Tauscher did not play in the game – he was one of the 15 Packers on injured reserve missing a significant portion of the season.

“We really rode the wave,” Tauscher said of the Packers Super Bowl XLV championship run. 

Tauscher retired shortly after the 2010 season. 

Tauscher is a rare player. He is one of few to have played his entire career in his home state. In doing so he captured two Rose Bowl championships and  Super Bowl XLV .

Tauscher was a solid player during his career, blocking for both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. As well as he played, he never thought of playing anywhere else during his career.

“I never considered it. I never wanted to go anywhere else,” Tauscher said.

Tauscher’s most cherished memories as a Wisconsin Badger Badger game when Ron Dayne set the NCAA rushing record and playing in the Rose Bowl.

As a Packer his favorite games are his first start against the Philadelphia Eagles with his family in attendance, the Carolina game where he played against former Packer Reggie White, and the Seattle ‘snowglobe’ playoff game in 2007.

Tauscher is the local kid who became a Badger, a Packer, and finally a Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer. 

“It was really a special day,” Tauscher said about the day he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. 

“I was always hoping it would happen (being inducted to the Packers Hall of Fame). I didn’t realize it was going to hit me as hard as it did. But that moment was emotional.”

Tauscher serves as inspiration for young Wisconsin men and boys statewide. 

“I’d like to think you can (succeed) – because look at me – I wasn’t the most talented guy, but I worked hard,” Tauscher said.

Tauscher is still incredibly popular in Wisconsin. In fact, Tauscher now co-hosts sports talk show ‘Wilde & Tausch’ on 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee with Wisconsin’s own Jason Wilde. 

To those boys and young men playing pee-wee football, or playing high school football….

“Why not you?” Tauscher said.

“Dream big. Let yourself believe you can do whatever you want.”

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