Malone returns as Great Outdoor Games host ESPN Release Once again, the ESPN Great Outdoor Games will be hosted by former NFL veteran Mark Malone. Besides his role on the Great Outdoor Games, Malone is host of NFL 2Night, ESPN2's news and information program chronicling National Football League activity on and off the field. The show is aired five times per week in season and weekly during the off-season. Malone also contributes features to ESPN's SportsCenter and NFL Countdown and occasionally hosts ESPNEWS. Mark Malone says the Great Outdoor Games are "right up my alley!" Malone joined ESPN in July 1993 to provide reports for the network's NFL coverage and SportsCenter. He was named ESPN's Sunday Night NFL (now Sunday Night Football) sideline reporter and host of ESPN's Edge NFL MatchUp in May 1994. In 1997 he relinquished his role as sideline reporter for a larger studio presence serving as part-time NFL Prime Monday (now Monday Countdown) host and to handle increased reportorial assignments for NFL Countdown. A 10-year NFL veteran with the Pittsburgh Steelers (eight years), San Diego Chargers and New York Jets, Malone was Pittsburgh's first-round draft choice in 1980 out of Arizona State University. He entered the league as Terry Bradshaw's apprentice, and was the first quarterback drafted by Chuck Knoll in the first round since Bradshaw in 1970. Malone became the starting quarterback during the 1984 season, guiding the Steelers to the AFC championship game. He still holds several Steelers records, including most touchdown passes in one game (five against Indianapolis on Sept. 8, 1985), and highest completion percentage in one game (82% on 18-of-22 passing against San Diego on Nov. 25, 1984). Malone's media experience includes work with WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh (1990-93) as a host for Pittsburgh Steelers pre-game shows, sports reporter, and sports anchor. He remains the color commentator for WPXI's coverage of preseason Pittsburgh Steeler games. Malone remains active with various charities in the Pittsburgh area. As a Steeler, he was involved with charities including Multiple Sclerosis, Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, West Penn Burn Unit, Literacy Foundation, and Epilepsy Foundation. A native of San Diego, Calif., Malone was born November 22, 1958. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories