No. 34 | |
Born: | São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil | November 23, 1956
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Career information | |
CFL status | National |
Position(s) | SB, TE |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
College | Liberty Baptist |
High school | Wexford (Scarborough, Ontario) |
CFL draft | 1980, round: 0, pick: Territorial exemption |
Drafted by | BC Lions |
Career history | |
As player | |
1980–1982 | BC Lions |
1982–1985 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Steve Kearns (born November 23, 1956) is a Canadian former professional football slotback who played six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. [1] [2] He was a territorial exemption of the Lions in the 1980 CFL draft. He played college football at Liberty Baptist College.
Kearns was born in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil and played soccer as a youth. [1] His family moved back to Canada so Steve and his brother Dan could attend Wexford High school. [1] They first played Canadian football in Grade 11. [1]
Kearns played college football for the Liberty Baptist Flames of Liberty Baptist College from 1976 to 1979. [1] He enrolled at Liberty as a defensive end but switched to tight end and wide receiver. [3] He earned Churchmen’s second-team All-American honors in 1978. [3] Kearns set school career records in receiving yards with 1,210 and touchdown receptions with 10. [3] He was inducted into Liberty's athletics hall of fame in 2016. [3]
Kearns was selected by the BC Lions as a territorial exemption in the 1980 CFL draft. [4] He was the first Liberty player ever selected in a professional football draft. [5] He played in 25 games for the Lions from 1980 to 1982. [6] [2] [7] [8] He was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and played in 30 games for the team from 1982 to 1985. Kearns retired after the 1985 season. [1] [6]
Kearns has worked as a chaplain for professional athletes with Athletes in Action after his playing career. [1] He has been a chaplain for the Toronto Raptors, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC. His wife, Georgie, whom he met at Liberty Baptist College, has also worked with Athletes in Action. [1] [9]