Joe Stepanek

Last updated

Joe Stepanek
No. 73
Position Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born (1963-11-06) November 6, 1963 (age 61)
Tama, Iowa, U.S.
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight268 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school Regis
College Minnesota
NFL draft 1986: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Safeties 1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Joseph Paul Stepanek (born November 6, 1963) is an American former professional 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]

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Stepanek picks Gophers". The Gazette . Associated Press. January 13, 1984. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. 1 2 "Joe Stepanek Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  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. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  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. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ "Joe Stepanek stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
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