Steve Thurlow

Last updated

Steve Thurlow
Steve Thurlow - New York Giants - 1965.jpg
No. 27, 39, 44
Position Running back
Personal information
Born (1942-04-25) April 25, 1942 (age 83)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school Escondido
(Escondido, California)
College Stanford (1960-1963)
NFL draft 1964: 2nd round, 25th overall pick
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards1,127
Rushing average3.6
Receptions 61
Receiving yards539
Total touchdowns 6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Stephen Charles Thurlow (born April 25, 1942) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. [1] [2] He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal. Thurlow was selected by the Giants in the 2nd round (25th overall) of the 1964 NFL draft. [3]

Along with fellow Giants' running backs Tucker Frederickson, Chuck Mercein, and Ernie Koy Jr., Thurlow was part of a group called the "Baby Bulls" by the media and fans. [4] [5]

While playing for the Giants, he was offered a three-year contract at USD$40,000 per year by the American Football League's San Diego Chargers. While admitting that he had held discussions with Charger's head coach Sid Gillman, Thurlow told the media that he intended to stay in New York. [6]

Thurlow appeared as an imposter on the March 15, 1965 CBS television game show To Tell the Truth . Posing as a research volunteer who spent 30 days in bed in support of the NASA astronaut evaluation program, he received three votes. [7]

Thurlow was traded by the Giants to the Washington Redskins on September 14, 1966 in exchange for Darrell Dess, an offensive lineman. [8]

During a 2018 interview, Thurlow said he was ready to retire from football after he was traded from the Giants to the Redskins, but decided to continue playing, given the opportunity to work with Vince Lombardi who had recently been hired by Washington as their head coach. [9]

“He’s the only reason I came back for my sixth season,” Thurlow said. “I wanted to see what it was like and what everyone was talking about when they said playing for him was very different than playing for anyone else. He became legendary in terms of success and how he ran a football team.” [9]

At the time of the interview, Thurlow and his wife Chris were living in Vero Beach, Florida. [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Thurlow Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Steve Thurlow". StatMuse . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Steve Thurlow". The Football Database. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  4. ↑ "New York Giants". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ Wulf, Steve. "The Unforgotten Giants". ESPN . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ Litsky, Frank. "THURLOW ASSERTS HE'LL STAY HERE; Admits Talking to Gillman-- Crespino, Larson Said to Have Got Big Offers". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  7. ↑ "To Tell the Truth". CBS Television . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ Wallace, William N. "Football Giants Obtain Dess, Guard, From Redskins for Thurlow and Carroll". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Smith, Angela. "Vero Beach couple have special ties to NFL coach Vince Lombardi". Treasure Coast Newspapers . Retrieved November 4, 2025.


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