Steve O'Neal

American football player (born 1946) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stephen James O'Neal (born February 4, 1946) is an American former professional football punter and a wide receiver. O'Neal is best known for kicking a 98-yard punt during the American Football League (AFL) game between the New York Jets and Denver Broncos on September 21, 1969. This punt set the record for the longest punt in AFL and NFL history.[1] He finished his career with 337 punts for 13,725 yards and a 40.7 yards per punt average.[2]

Quick Facts Born:, Career information ...
Steve O'Neal
No. 20
Born: (1946-02-04) February 4, 1946 (age 79)
Hearne, Texas, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Punter
Wide receiver
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
CollegeTexas A&M
High schoolHearne (TX)
NFL draft1969, round: 13, pick: 21
Career history
As player
1969New York Jets (AFL)
1970–1972New York Jets
1973New Orleans Saints
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Longest punt: 98 yards (1969)
Close

Professional career

O'Neal was selected in the 13th round, pick 21 of the 1969 Common draft by the AFL's New York Jets.[3] O'Neal was traded by the Jets to the New Orleans Saints before the 1973 season along with backup quarterback Bob Davis in exchange for wide receiver Margene Adkins and punter Julian Fagan.[1] Jets' coach Weeb Ewbank said of the trade that "We've been disappointed with our punting game which is the reason for this trade," although Fagan only lasted one year with the Jets.[1] He set a career-high with 81 punts in his final season for the New Orleans Saints in 1973.[4] After struggling during the 1974 preseason, he was waived by the Saints before the 1974 regular season began and replaced by Donnie Gibbs, who himself was waived after the first regular season game and replaced by Tom Blanchard.[5][6][7]

See also

References

Loading related searches...

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.