Mark Joseph Campbell (December 6, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cleveland Browns from 1999 to 2002, the Buffalo Bills from 2003 to 2005, and the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2008. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1995 to 1998.
Early years
Campbell was born in Clawson, Michigan, in 1975. He is the youngest of 5 children of John and Elizabeth Campbell. His siblings are John (brother), Kevin (brother), Diann (sister), and Doug (brother). He grew up in Clawson and attended Bishop Foley Catholic High School in Madison Heights, Michigan. Campbell began his collegiate career playing multiple offensive positions but primarily as a tight end. He started his first game as a fullback in 1995 and started 5 games as the second tight end in 1996. In 1997, he started one game each at fullback and tight end. Campbell separated himself from competitors with his blocking efficiency. He was rated as the #2 ranked blocking tight end in all of college football by USA Today. Campbell started and caught the first pass of the Rose Bowl leading the charge to victory. He was 1 of 32 players on the team to eventually play in the National Football League. Campbell was a key member and team leader of the 1997 National Championship team. As a senior in 1998, he started 7 games at tight end or as the second tight end on the field. In four years at Michigan, Campbell caught 32 passes for 357 yards and one touchdown. Again, he played a key member in team leadership and was presented as the Bob Ufer award winner as voted on by his teammates. This award signifies his appreciation by his peers as a low profile but essential part of the team's success.
Professional football
Campbell was undrafted in the 1999 NFL draft. In 2004, under new head coach, Mike Mularkey, Campbell was elected on the team's leadership council. Also, he was the only tight end in Buffalo Bills team history to score three touchdowns in a single game. He is tied for the most receiving touchdowns in a single game for all receivers with three. Both records he still holds today. He suffered a season ending knee ACL injury in 2004 in the ninth game of the year. He was on pace to break personal records for receptions and touchdowns before the injury. Additionally, he was nominated as the NFL Players Association representative as voted on by his teammates. An honor that Campbell held for six of his ten years in the NFL. In 2005, he returned from injury to start the first game of the season. He played another solid season in Buffalo highlighted with his second career Ed Block Courage Award. He is the only player to win the Ed Block Courage Award twice in a career. Campbell was with the Bills from 2003 to 2005. He appeared in 42 games for the Bills, 33 as a starting tight end, and caught 70 passes for 681 yards and six touchdowns.
Later years
After retiring from football, Campbell accepted a job in healthcare and as a broadcaster covering games for the Big Ten Network.