Markus Golden

Markus Golden's Biography

Markus Golden, born on March 13, 1991, has carved out a remarkable career in American professional football that spans over a decade. After an exceptional run in high school and college football, Golden made waves in the National Football League (NFL), playing for top-tier teams like the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Golden first flexed his football skills at Affton High School, where he excelled as a running back and linebacker. In his junior year alone, he delivered an awe-inspiring performance with a school-record 168 tackles and 16 sacks. On the offensive end, he showcased his versatility by running for 1,139 yards and notching 16 touchdowns. His senior year saw Golden further shattering records with 2,264 yards run, 30 touchdowns scored, 108 tackles, and 10 sacks completed.

Golden’s freshman year at Hutchinson was equally impressive. Despite suffering a loss against Butler Community College in both the regular season and the KJCCC championship, Golden’s performance was undeniably excellent. He recorded 90 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, coupled with five forced fumbles and two interceptions—a strong showing against the 2011 Butler team, steered by DeMarcus Lawrence, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys.

At the University of Missouri, despite a late start due to clearinghouse issues, Golden did not miss a beat. As a junior, he tallied 55 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, in addition to 6.5 sacks. While sidelined by a hamstring injury in his senior year, Golden still managed a seasoned performance, echoing his prowess with 78 tackles and 10 sacks for that season. This undefeated performance led to him and his teammate Shane Ray becoming the first duo from Missouri to record double-digit sacks in the same season.

Golden’s professional career in NFL kicked off after being drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Despite a hamstring injury and an unrelated hand injury, Golden caught the eyes of scouts and team representatives during the Senior Bowl practices with his knack for getting to the quarterback. These injuries did not hinder Golden from performing at his peak during Missouri’s pro day leading to his placement at ninth-best defensive end prospect by NFL analyst Charles Davis.

Golden’s professional debut came with the Cardinals when he signed a four-year, $3.91 million contract on May 14, 2015. He stood out in his rookie season where he had 31 combined tackles and four sacks in 15 games. After a strong 2016 season, a torn ACL resulted in Golden’s 2017 season being cut short.

He later joined the New York Giants in 2019 on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million, where he recorded 10.0 sacks, making him the most productive Giants linebacker since Lawrence Taylor in 1990. After a brief return to the Cardinals in 2020, Golden was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. He signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in 2024 but announced his retirement a week later, bringing an end to his illustrious career in the NFL. From the fields of Affton High School to the high-octane stadiums of the NFL, Markus Golden’s career is a testament to headstrong resilience and prodigious talent on the gridiron. His impressive record, set throughout his university and professional tenure, underscores Golden’s indomitable spirit, emerging as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring footballers worldwide.