Joe Steele (born March 19, 1958) is an American former football player and running back for the University of Washington Huskies from 1976 through 1979.[2] During his college career, he set Husky records for most single season rushing yards, most career rushing yards, and most career touchdowns.[3]
| Washington Huskies – No. 24 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Class | 1980 |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 19, 1958[1] Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career history | |
| Bowl games | 1978 Rose Bowl |
| High school | Bishop Blanchet (Seattle) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life
editBorn and raised in Seattle, Washington, Steele attended Bishop Blanchet High School and graduated in 1976. As a running back, he helped lead Bishop Blanchet to a 23-game winning streak over three seasons and a state championship in 1974. In the 1975 Metro League championship game against undefeated Garfield, Steele rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns, caught another touchdown, and threw for the game-winning score in the fourth overtime.[4] During his high school career, he ran for 3,814 yards and scored 44 touchdowns.[5]
College career
editActively recruited by many strong programs, Steele stayed close to home and played for head coach Don James at the University of Washington in Seattle. As a sophomore in 1977, Steele rushed for 865 yards, scored fourteen touchdowns, and was named to the all-conference team. He led the Huskies in rushing in their 27–20 upset win over fourth-ranked Michigan in the Rose Bowl.[5]
During his junior season in 1978, Steele set a Husky single season record with 1,111 rushing yards. As a senior in 1979, he suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee in the eighth game, a 34–14 road win over UCLA.[6][7][8] Steele finished his college career with a Washington record 3,168 total rushing yards and was again named to the all-conference team. He was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 1996.[4]
After college
editSteele was selected in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks,[1] but was released in the final cut.[5] Following his football career, he worked in the commercial real estate business.[5]
See also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Joe Steele". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ "Steele: He has his eyes on McElhenney's record". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. September 5, 1979. p. 3C.
- ^ Martin, Mike (October 5, 2017). "Throwback Thursday: Man of Steele".
- ^ a b "Joe Steele: Bishop Blanchet High School, 1976". Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Hanson, Scott (November 29, 2018), "Huskies history: Long before Myles Gaskin, RB Joe Steele positioned UW for Rose Bowl greatness", The Seattle Times
- ^ "Huskies get punter back and stay in the race". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire service reports. October 28, 1979. p. 6B.
- ^ "Huskies lose Steele for season". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 29, 1979. p. 17.
- ^ "Huskies lose Steele". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire service reports. October 29, 1979. p. 2C.