Joe Stepanek

Joe Stepanek
No. 73
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	November 6, 1963 (age 60); Tama, Iowa, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	268 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school:	Regis
College:	Minnesota
Undrafted:	1986
Career history
	Miami Dolphins (1986); Saskatchewan Roughriders (1987); Atlanta Falcons (1987); Minnesota Vikings (1987); New York Jets (1988);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
	Player stats at PFR

Last updated May 24, 2024

Joseph Paul Stepanek (born November 6, 1963) is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football for the Waldorf Warriors in Iowa before transferring to play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 1984.^[1] He played for the Warriors from 1982 to 1983 and for the Golden Gophers from 1984 to 1985, lettering both years with the latter.^[2]

Stepanek began his professional career in 1986 by joining the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) but did not make the team.^[3] In the 1987 off-season, he had stints in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.^[3]^[4] When the NFL Players Association went on strike, Stepanek was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a replacement player.^[5] He played only one game for the Vikings, starting against the Green Bay Packers at defensive tackle, and recorded a safety; he finished tied for the league lead in that category even though he played only one of 15 possible games.^[5]^[6] He was released by the team after the strike and later had a short stay with the New York Jets, but never played professionally again.^[2]^[3]

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References

↑ "Joe Stepanek picks Gophers". The Gazette . Associated Press. January 13, 1984. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
1 2 "Joe Stepanek Stats". Pro Football Archives.
1 2 3 "Joe Stepanek Transactions". Pro Football Archives.
↑ Miliokas, Nick (June 3, 1987). "Gregory reduces roster". The Leader-Post . p. 52 – via Newspapers.com.
1 2 Witosky, Tom (October 6, 1987). "Ex-Hawk sees 'heckuva' job by NFL replacement players". The Des Moines Register . p. 7, 10 – via Newspapers.com.
↑ "Joe Stepanek stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 3, 2023.

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[1] "Joe Stepanek picks Gophers". The Gazette . Associated Press. January 13, 1984. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.

[auto1-2] 1 2 "Joe Stepanek Stats". Pro Football Archives.

[auto2-3] 1 2 3 "Joe Stepanek Transactions". Pro Football Archives.

[4] Miliokas, Nick (June 3, 1987). "Gregory reduces roster". The Leader-Post . p. 52 – via Newspapers.com.

[auto-5] 1 2 Witosky, Tom (October 6, 1987). "Ex-Hawk sees 'heckuva' job by NFL replacement players". The Des Moines Register . p. 7, 10 – via Newspapers.com.

[6] "Joe Stepanek stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 3, 2023.

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