Steven Cyril DeLong (July 3, 1943 – August 18, 2010) was an American football defensive lineman who played professionally in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He was a first round draft selection in both the AFL and NFL Drafts in 1965.[1][2] He played collegiately for the University of Tennessee, and professionally for the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears. In 1969 with San Diego, he set a team record with 17 sacks, a mark which stood until Gary Johnson had 17+12 in 1980.[3] He was traded from the Chargers to the Bears on July 26, 1972, for a fourth-round selection in the 1973 NFL Draft (84th overall–Jim Thaxton).[4][5]

Steve DeLong
No. 56, 82
Position:Defensive end / defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1943-07-03)July 3, 1943
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Died:August 18, 2010(2010-08-18) (aged 67)
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Career information
High school:Oscar F. Smith
(South Norfolk, Virginia)
College:Tennessee
NFL draft:1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
AFL draft:1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
(by the San Diego Chargers)
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:103
Games started:14
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com

DeLong was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He was the father of professional football player Keith DeLong, who also played for the University of Tennessee.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "1965 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "1965 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Rick (1981). 1981 San Diego Chargers Facts Book. San Diego Chargers. p. 41.
  4. ^ "Triple-holdout has Vikings talking trade," The Associated Press (AP), Thursday, July 27, 1972. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  5. ^ 1973 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 30 (Rounds 1–7) & 31 (Rounds 8–17) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved February 22, 2023.