Home / Sports / Two-Way Football Star Steve Zabel Dies at 78
Two-Way Football Star Steve Zabel Dies at 78
27 Jun
Summary
- Steve Zabel, a college football two-way play pioneer, has died at 78.
- He played tight end and defensive end at Oklahoma, later starring in the NFL.
- Zabel was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Steve Zabel, an innovator of two-way play in college football, died on Wednesday at the age of 78. His passing was announced without a specified cause.
Born in Minneapolis, Zabel played tight end for Oklahoma under Chuck Fairbanks. In 1968, he earned All-American honors and made a significant defensive impact, prompting coaches to utilize him on both offense and defense.
This strategic shift led to a six-game winning streak and the Big Eight Championship. Zabel was selected sixth overall in the 1970 NFL Draft by the Eagles. Initially a tight end, he transitioned to outside linebacker in his second season.
Zabel played 110 games on defense for the Eagles, Patriots, and Baltimore Colts, accumulating 13 fumbles and 14 sacks over a decade. After his retirement, he coached high school football and was active in charitable endeavors in Oklahoma City, earning induction into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
