Ed Marinaro was a three-time All American at Cornell University and in 1971 was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and went on to play in the NFL for the Vikings and Jets. After he retired, he pursued acting. He landed a role in Laverne & Shirley and then went on to play Officer Joe Coffey for 6 seasons on Hill Street Blues. Other credits include Sisters, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Amy Fisher: My Story, Dream On, Third Watch, Blue Mountain State, The Many Saints of Newark and numerous others.