Keith Bostic (American football)

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Keith Bostic
No. 25, 47
Position:
Safety
Personal information
Born: (1961-01-17) January 17, 1961 (age 63)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College:Michigan
NFL draft:1983 / Round: 2 / Pick: 42
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:17.0
Interceptions:13
Fumble recoveries:7
Player stats at PFR

William Keith Bostic (born January 17, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Houston Oilers and the Cleveland Browns, serving as the Oilers' defensive captain under coach Jerry Glanville.[1] Bostic earned one Pro Bowl selection and missed another based on a tiebreaker for the last safety chosen. In his Pro Bowl season, he led the American Football Conference in interceptions.

Prior to playing in the NFL, he played for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference from 1979–1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. During this time Michigan won two Big Ten championships, and Bostic was named first-team All-Big Ten. While at Michigan, he accumulated fumble recovery and interception statistics that continue to rank among the leaders in school history. Bostic had a reputation as a very physical safety.[2]

College

Rose Bowls
.

Born in

Rose Bowl for the 1980 Big Ten Conference Champions.[6] This game was the first bowl game victory for Bo Schembechler.[7] He started eleven games in 1981 and twelve in 1982.[8][9] Bostic was first-team All-Big Ten for the 1982 Big Ten Champions who also went to the Rose Bowl.[9] When he was drafted into the NFL, he was second on the modern Michigan career interceptions list (since 1965) with ten career interceptions, which places him in a tie for seventh on the list now.[10] He ranks tenth on the All-time list. He ranks second on the All-time single-season fumble recovery list with four and fourth on the career list with six. His 119 interception return yards in 1982 ranks fifth all-time.[11]

Professional career

Pre-Bostic Oilers

During the 1970s

1987 NFL Draft they had nine first round choices. They complemented their drafting with the signing of Warren Moon out of the Canadian Football League and Mike Rozier out of the United States Football League (USFL), a league that attempted to compete with the NFL in the 1980s.[12]

Biles, Studley, Campbell era

Bostic was drafted with the fourteenth pick of the second round of the

1983 NFL Draft with the 42nd pick overall by the Houston Oilers.[13] He was also drafted by the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 1983 Territorial Draft.[14] Bostic joined the Oilers who were rebuilding from being the oldest average age NFL team in 1981.[12]

Bostic started the last 12 games of the 1983 NFL season and every game thereafter as an Oiler until leaving the team in 1989. The 1983 Houston Oilers under coaches Ed Biles and Chuck Studley went 2–14.[15] The 1984 and 1985 teams of Hugh Campbell also were below .500.[16][17] By 1985 he had nonetheless become one of the best safeties in the league.[18] During the 1985 NFL season he had a career-high five quarterback sacks, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.[17]

Glanville era

Bostic's physical style of play was well-suited for

1988-89 NFL Playoffs.[24][25] The unheralded 1987 team was a surprise playoff entrant in the first round Wild Card game.[12][24][26] Even after a surprise 1987–88 NFL playoff run the Oilers fired their defensive backs coach, Tom Bettis who had taken over from Ken Houston.[27] Bostic earned All-Pro honorable mention in 1988.[28] That season, he finished tied for the third and final AFC safety Pro Bowl spot with David Fulcher and missed being invited due to the tiebreaker.[29][30]

With all the rebuilding turnover Bostic was one of the four longest tenured Oilers by his sixth season with the team.

$900,000 contract,[34] but released him during training camp.[23] They released him during the second week of training camp and it was rumored he might head to the Los Angeles Raiders.[35] The Oilers lost a league high fifteen plan B free agents that season.[36] In 1990, the Cleveland Browns signed Bostic as a free agent.[37] However, they waived him during the season.[38]

Overall reputation

Bostic's physical style of play was respected by his peers: Lester Hayes said Raider tight end Todd Christensen is the best receiving tight end and that "The only guy I've ever seen cover Todd is my son, Keith Bostic...Bostic's the only guy I've ever seen pulverize him. I mean he really pulverized him. I call Bostic and Frank Minnifield (Cleveland cornerback) my sons, my sons of dirt." Hayes meant that Bostic and Minnifield played a physical style, just like Hayes.[39] Bostic is known as a big hitter blessed with athletic ability.[40][41] He combined strength and speed to play his physical style according to Ozzie Newsome: "He's as strong as any linebacker and can run like any of the guys on the corner."[42] Bostic earned the nickname "Batman" for his style of play.[43] Instead of instructing his team to elect captains, Glanville instructed his team to "...pick the three toughest guys. If somebody throws a grenade into a room, they're the ones who'll jump on it." Bostic was the player chosen from the Oilers' defense.[1] Although much is made of his strength and toughness, it should also be mentioned that he once collared Tony Dorsett from behind in a footrace.[44] At one point in Bostic's career, while Glanville was still defensive coordinator, the Oilers considered moving him to cornerback because of his speed.[45][46]

NFL Single Season Record

Fewest interception return yards (1987): -14 [47]

Personal

During the offseasons, Bostic was a regular on the Oilers' summer

NFL training camp Bostic played with tape over his mouth to try to win a $20 bet with Steve Brown over who could keep from talking the longest.[49]

His son, Tony Bostic, played running back for the New Mexico State Aggies as a non-recruited walk-on.[50][51][52] His younger son, William, followed his father's footsteps and played linebacker[53] for his alma mater, the University of Michigan.[54]

Notes.

  1. ^ a b McClain, John (1985-12-13). "Matthews brothers always competitive". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  2. ^ a b c McClain, John (1988-09-15). "Deficiency didn't stop Oilers' Bostic/Safety now swallowing iron as well as pumping it to regain his energy". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  3. ^ "Keith Bostic". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  4. ^ "Bentley Historical Library – U of M Football Rosters". The Regents of the University of Michigan. 2003-08-25. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  5. ^ "1980 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  6. ^ "Versus Washington January 1, 1981". Regents of the University of Michigan. 2003. Archived from the original on March 15, 2005. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  7. Pacific Stars and Stripes
    . 1981-01-04.
  8. ^ "1981 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  9. ^ a b "1982 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  10. ^ "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". Regents of the University of Michigan. 2003. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  11. ^ "Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan & Host Interactive. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  12. ^
    New York Times
    . Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  13. ^ "1983 NFL Player Draft". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-01-19. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  14. Newsbank
    . Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  15. ^ "1983 Houston Oilers". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  16. ^ "1984 Houston Oilers". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  17. ^ a b "1985 Houston Oilers". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  18. ^ McClain, John (1986-04-29). "Reviewing drafts that Holovak masterminded with Oilers". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  19. ^ "1986 Houston Oilers". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  20. ^ McClain, John (1988-07-17). "Oilers, Brown combining all the ingredients of a long holdout". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  21. ^ "Keith Bostic". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  22. ^ "1987 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  23. ^ a b "Browns sign former Oilers safety Bostic". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. 1990-08-07. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  24. ^ a b c "1987 Houston Oilers". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  25. ^ "1988 Houston Oilers". databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  26. New York Times
    . Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  27. ^ McClain, John (1988-01-19). "Allen disappointed over coach's firing". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  28. ^ "Associated Press all-pro team". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. 1988-12-25. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  29. ^ Carter, Al (1988-12-20). "Oilers' search hits snowy snag". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  30. ^ McClain, John (1988-12-16). "Players cool to all the weather talk". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  31. ^ Stickney, W.H. Jr. (1988-10-31). "Beating contender gags critics". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  32. ^ McClain, John (1989-09-08). "Rookie McDowell impresses Oilers as starter". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  33. ^ Blinebury, Fran (1989-08-05). "Smoothing over the rough spots". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  34. ^ McClain, John (1989-04-01). "Oilers' Bostic headed to Colts". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  35. ^ McClain, John (1989-08-13). "Moon satisfied with non-surgical treatment". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  36. ^ "The incredible warbling Oiler Matthews to sing on TV". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. 1989-09-09. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  37. New York Times
    . 1990-08-07. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  38. ^ "AFC". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. 1990-10-02. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  39. ^ McClain, John (1988-08-21). "Toughness the key to Moon's quarterbacking success". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  40. ^ McClain, John (1986-08-29). "OILERS VS. COWBOYS/Donaldson provides excellent safety net". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  41. ^ McClain, John (1986-09-04). "Can preseason confidence equal real-season success?". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  42. ^ Sefko, Eddie (1986-11-27). "Newsome, Browns offer different look". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  43. ^ McClain, John (1986-08-10). "An equal opportunity destroyer/In Bo Eason's case, looks can be misleading". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  44. ^ McClain, John (1985-09-30). "Cowboys sack up Oilers". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  45. ^ McClain, John (1985-04-28). "THE DRAFT/Oilers: Childress will lead parade of defensive picks". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  46. ^ McClain, John (1985-05-08). "Oilers want trained killers' on defense". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  47. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results: For single seasons, from 1920 to 2009, sorted by ascending Intercept. Ret. Yds". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  48. ^ McClain, John (1988-04-17). "Oilers should take impact players rather than go reaching". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  49. ^ McClain, John (1986-08-12). "Oilers perplexed over case of missing linemen". Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  50. Newsbank
    . Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  51. Newsbank
    . Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  52. Newsbank
    . 2003-11-26. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  53. ^ "William Bostic - Football". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  54. ^ "Fresh out of college, University of Michigan grad is making moves to become next mayor of Ann Arbor". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved 2023-07-07.

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