Max Starks grew up the offspring of a football player, and also the son of an undertaker.
Now the 6-foot-8, 337-pound mammoth of a man will undertake the first step in becoming a professional football player in the NFL.

Starks will start for the first time in his career tonight when he lines up at right tackle in the Steelers' preseason game against Philadelphia at Heinz Field, with hopes he doesn't fall on his face because Steelers fans just might bury him where he lies.
"I don't try to bog myself down that much with the pressures of what people might think, because when it comes down to it, it's about me performing," Starks said. "It is a very big opportunity for me and I don't want to pass that up." - NFL Football -
Starks played mostly in short-yardage situations a year ago and averaged less than 10 snaps a game. However, the Steelers saw enough in him they allowed last year's starter, Oliver Ross, to leave via free agency, then simply handed the job to Starks.
The Steelers tried to replace Ross with a veteran but fell short in their two lukewarm attempts to sign middle-of-the-road free agents Stockar McDougle and Adrian Klemm in the offseason.
"Max played some last year," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "I am not too concerned about Max at all, to be honest with you." - NFL Football -
That aside, the Steelers offensive line will be under major scrutiny during the preseason. Two years ago the line underperformed and the Steelers struggled to a 6-10 record and finished an unfathomable 31st in the league in rushing. Last year the same five guys started all 18 games and the Steelers were 16-2 and second in the league in rushing.
The Steelers lost Ross and right guard Keydrick Vincent to free agency, but 2002 first-round choice Kendall Simmons will return to the right guard spot, where he started the two previous years before a knee injury sidelined him all of last season. - NFL Football -
"It is going to be a big game for our offensive line," Starks said. "A lot of people are doubting what we can do, and going out there and showing that we can function as a five-man unit and we are successful together will be the biggest statement we can make.
"Since the beginning of camp it has been, 'Can Max hold up what the 2004 line did? Can he come in and be an extra component?' We have to show how well we are gelling, then say, 'Oh yeah, Max fits in well.'" - NFL Football -
The Steelers have put all their faith in the second-year player out of Florida to fill their right offensive tackle job even though he has never started a pro game.
If Starks doesn't perform that job well enough, the Steelers could be in trouble because the only other tackles the team could turn to are 33-year old journeyman Barrett Brooks or rookie Trai Essex or, at last resort, All-Pro guard Alan Faneca.
"Max has all the tools to be a great offensive lineman in this league," left tackle Marvel Smith said. "It's just a matter of working hard and learning the techniques of the position."
Starks took the first step during the offseason when he worked out at Athletes Performance in Arizona, which specializes in training top-notch athletes. He dropped 5 percent of his body fat and looks in tip-top shape. - NFL Football -
"I have no reason to believe that Max can't get the job done," offensive line coach Russ Grimm said.
He has the bloodlines. His father is former Cincinnati defensive lineman Ross Browner. Starks didn't know Browner was his father until he was 17 years old. He grew up in Florida with his mother and stepfather, who owned the family-run Starks Funeral Home.
Starks learned the truth about his biological father before his senior season at Lake Highland Preparatory School.
"I didn't know how to respond," Starks said. - NFL Football -
Now Starks he is hoping he will respond better to his first time as a starter but will have a monumental task ahead of him. He will be up against Philadelphia's Pro-Bowl defensive end Jevon Kearse, one of the most feared pass rushers in the entire NFL. He has 55 career sacks.
"I am looking forward to getting to play against one of the best pass rushers in the league. A lot of guys patent their game off of his. Plus, he's a Florida alumni. I think it is going to be a great opportunity."
Starks will play at least a quarter, but may see more time than some of his veteran linemates.
"Hopefully after that first preseason game I'll have all those jitters out of there," Starks said. "It has been a standard that has been set. I'll take it as my own personal responsibility to hold up that tradition over there because that is what made us real good last year. They set a benchmark. We want to be a tight five like they were last year." - NFL Football -

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