Mark Stepnoski Mark Matthew Stepnoski ( born January 20 , 1967 ) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League . He attended Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie , Pennsylvania , and went on to star at the University of Pittsburgh . Stepnoski ' s professional career in the NFL was spent with the Dallas Cowboys ( 1989 – 1994 , 1999 – 2000 ) , and the Houston Oilers ( 1995 – 1998 ) . Stepnoski won two Super Bowl s while with the Cowboys and was a five - time Pro Bowl er , attending the game from 1992 through 1996 . Early years . Stepnoski , was a highly recruited All - State and Parade All - American offensive tackle from Erie Cathedral Preparatory School . He graduated from the school in 1985 . He signed with the University of Pittsburgh and became a four - year starter at offensive guard , helping clear the way for Craig Heyward and Curvin Richards to become two of the leading rushers in the nation . Stepnoski was a third team All - America as a sophomore , a first team All - America n in 1988 and one of the three finalists for the Outland Trophy as a senior . He was a two - time Academic All - America n ( 1986 and 1988 ) . Played in the East - West Shrine Game . His play earned him a spot on his home state ' s All Century Second Team , compiled by the Pennsylvania Football News . Professional career . Dallas Cowboys ( first stint ) . Stepnoski was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 3rd round of the 1989 NFL Draft . He dropped in the draft because the scouts thought he was undersized for the NFL . The Cowboys switched him to center , although he had never played that position . During his rookie year he was tutored by Tom Rafferty , who was playing his last season in the NFL . He became a starter for the last four games of the season . Stepnoski used his athletic ability , leverage and balance , to outmaneuver bigger defensive players and become one of the leagues best centers of his era . By the end of the 1991 season he was selected to the first of five straight Pro Bowl s . From 1992 to 1994 , together with Erik Williams , Mark Tuinei , Nate Newton and Kevin Gogan , he was part of some of the best offensive lines to play in NFL history , that also helped paved the way for Emmitt Smith to become the NFL ' s All Time Leading Rusher . In 1993 he suffered a knee injury that required surgery while playing against the Minnesota Vikings in the 13th game of the season . He was replaced by John Gesek and couldn ' t play during the Playoffs and Super Bowl XXVIII . He became a free agent at the end of the season , but the Cowboys could only sign him to a one - year contract ( $ 1 . 2 million - dollars and a $ 500 , 000 signing bonus ) . Stepnoski was one of the team ' s first big - name players to leave the Cowboys following the 1994 season via unrestricted free agency , leaving with 3 Pro Bowl s and back - to - back Super Bowl victories . Houston / Tennessee Oilers . He signed with the Houston Oilers in 1995 , which later became the Tennessee Oilers in 1997 . During his 4 seasons with the Oilers , he continued his streak of success making the Pro Bowl twice . Dallas Cowboys ( second stint ) . The Cowboys signed Stepnoski as a free agent in 1999 , where he finished his career with 3 more solid years , retiring after the 2001 season . Stepnoski played 13 years in the NFL , including five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and a place on the National Football League 1990s All - Decade second team . Personal life . In November 2007 , Stepnoski expressed support for the 9 / 11 Truth Movement . Stepnoski is also a marijuana legalization advocate and is an active member of NORML . His position on this subject made his high school alma mater , Cathedral Preparatory School , rescind his nomination to the school ' s athletic hall of fame . For that same reason , he immigrated to Canada .