Marc Bulger (born April 5, 1977) is a former American footballquarterback who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily as the starter for the St. Louis Rams from 2002 to 2009.[1]Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bulger attended West Virginia University, where he played college football and set several school passing records before being selected in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.[1] He was waived by the Saints during training camp and spent two weeks on the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad before signing with the Rams as a free agent, without playing a game for either team, and served primarily as a backup to Kurt Warner in 2001 but took over as starter for 7 games in 2002 after Warner's injury and started all 15 games in 2003 following Warner's season-ending injury.[1][2] Bulger led the Rams to an 8-8 record and a playoff appearance in 2003 while throwing for 3,845 yards and 22 touchdowns.[1][2]Over his career with the Rams, Bulger appeared in 96 games, completing 62.1% of his passes for 22,814 yards, 122 touchdowns, and 93 interceptions, earning two Pro Bowl selections in 2003 and 2006.[1] In 2006, he had his most prolific season, passing for 4,301 yards and 24 touchdowns with a 62.9% completion percentage.[1][3] He signed a six-year, $65 million contract extension with the Rams in 2007, the richest in franchise history at the time, but injuries limited his play in later years.[3] Bulger briefly signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2010 as a backup but retired later that year without appearing in a regular-season game for the team.[4]
Early life and college career
Early life and high school
Marc Bulger was born on April 5, 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to parents Jim and Patty Bulger. His father, a former quarterback at Central Catholic High School and the University of Notre Dame from 1970 to 1973, instilled a strong athletic foundation in the family, while his mother, Patty (née Fralic), came from an athletic lineage as the cousin of NFL Pro Bowl guard Bill Fralic. Bulger grew up in a competitive household in Pittsburgh's working-class environment, which emphasized discipline, hard work, and resilience—qualities that shaped his development as an athlete. He has an older sister, Katie, and a younger sister, Meggie, both of whom became standout basketball players at West Virginia University, continuing the family's athletic legacy.[5]Bulger attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1995 after enrolling in 1991. Initially focused on basketball, which honed his court vision and quick decision-making, he transitioned to football as a quarterback during his senior year, forgoing his junior season to concentrate on the sport. In that senior campaign, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns, earning All-State honors and establishing himself as one of the top passers in Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, the Vikings captured the 1994 City League championship, showcasing his poise and arm strength in a program known for producing NFL talent like Dan Marino.Despite interest from his hometown University of Pittsburgh, Bulger received no scholarship offer from the Panthers, prompting him to accept a full scholarship from West Virginia University, where he continued his football career.
Bulger arrived at West Virginia University in 1995 as a highly touted quarterback recruit from Pittsburgh's Central Catholic High School, where he had earned All-State honors, but redshirted his freshman year to develop further.[5] He began his playing career in