Mark Rypien's nephew, Brett Rypien, could have gone to Washington State. But he chose Boise State instead, and will play the Cougars this weekend in Boise.
One of the first decorations Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien ever had displayed in his bedroom at home in Spokane was a picture of his uncle, Washington State great Mark Rypien, standing alongside Indianapolis Colts All-Pro quarterback Peyton Manning.
Rypien, who played for WSU from 1982-95, was drafted by the NFL’s Washington franchise in the sixth round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He ultimately led his team to a Super Bowl championship in 1992 and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVI.