after getting cut by the packers, he went to traverse city, michigan, for two years, addicted to drugs and alcohol. his family checked him into a rehabilitation clinic on march 23, 1995, and he became sober. mandarich returned to football for three years between 1996 and 1998 with the indianapolis colts starting all 16 games during the 1997 season. he retired from football in 1998 due to a shoulder injury.