Alex Stepanovich

Games played:	46
Games started:	34

Alex Stepanovich
No. 71, 69
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	September 25, 1981 (age 42); Berea, Ohio, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	296 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:	Berea (OH)
College:	Ohio State
NFL draft:	2004 / Round: 4 / Pick: 100
Career history
	Arizona Cardinals (2004–2006); Cincinnati Bengals (2007); Atlanta Falcons (2008); Pittsburgh Steelers (2009)*;
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
	BCS national champion (2002); Third-team All-American (2003);
Career NFL statistics
Games played:
Games played:	46
Games started:	34
	Player stats at NFL.com

Aleksandar Stepanovich (

2004 NFL Draft.^[1] He played college football at Ohio State. Stepanovich has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh Steelers

.

Early years

In 2000, Stepanovich graduated from Berea High School in Berea, Ohio. A gifted athlete who's drive made Stepanovich one of the best offensive lineman in the country during his junior and senior years, he made numerous All-American teams along with being well decorated with numerous awards as a high school football player. He was also an accomplished wrestler in high school, winning the heavyweight state championship in 2000 and runner-up in 1999. He was a nationally ranked wrestler throughout high school, with multiple MVP's in national and state tournaments, along with two Pioneer Conference MVP's. He was also known for his generosity to helping the youth in his area. Stepanovich's legacy with be forever etched in Ohio with multiple Life Achievement awards for sports and giving back to his community. In Oct. 2023 the Ohio Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted Stepanovich into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma as its unanimous selection as its "Outstanding American".

College career

Well respected amongst his teammates, known for his work ethic and toughness, regarded as one of the top centers in

guard

in his senior campaign and started 26 games during his college football career and was a All-Big Ten and All-American performer. A four year lettermen while at OSU, his career culminated with a Buckeye tree being planted in his honor in Buckeye Grove joining all other first-team All-Americans at OSU.

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals selected him in the fourth round of the

injured reserve

.

The Cardinals elected not to tender him an offer for 2007, making him an

unrestricted free agent

.

Cincinnati Bengals

In March, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Stepanovich to a one-year deal for 2007. He played in all 16 games and started 5.

Atlanta Falcons

On March 10, 2008, Stepanovich was signed by the Atlanta Falcons to a three-year deal. He was released on June 17, 2009.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Stepanovich signed with the

waived

on August 31. Injuries forced his time in Pittsburgh and career short.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Arizona Cardinals bio Archived April 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
^ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-06.

External links

[cardinals-1] Arizona Cardinals bio Archived April 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine

[2] "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-06.

[1]