Brian DeMarco

Brian DeMarco is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected in the second round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

NFL career

After being drafted by the Jaguars, he was a starter for their inaugural season. Demarco played four seasons for the Jaguars. He signed a 3-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1999, but he retired after that season due to injuries.

Post NFL

DeMarco's post-NFL plight was featured in a Men's Journal article entitled "Casualties of the NFL." It detailed devastating spinal damage DeMarco received while playing in the NFL, and continued playing with for sometime after. The piece received widespread praise from advocates who sought medical and financial help for disabled NFL retirees. DeMarco took painkillers to mask the pain so he could continue playing, causing further damage to his body.