Steve Conley (running back)
No. 38, 47 | |
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Position: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Arlington (Arlington Heights, Illinois) |
College: | Kansas |
NFL draft: | 1972 / Round: 7 / Pick: 158 |
Career history | |
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Player stats at PFR |
Stephen Craig Conley is a former
College career
Conley played high school football at Arlington High School and initially played college football at Arizona Western College.[1] He then transferred to the University of Kansas where he played as a running back.[1] One of his most notable experiences at Kansas was dropping a last second touchdown pass to win a game against arch-rival Kansas State in 1979 which would have won the game, after dreaming the night before he would be involved in a play that would decide the game.[2] The following year he rushed for a touchdown to help beat Kansas State.[2] In October 1970 he was named player of the week for his performance in a game against Nebraska.[2] Until his junior year at Kansas he shared a backfield with future Hall of Famer John Riggins.[3] Conley finished his college career in 1971 with 1064 yards on 253 carries for an average of 4.2 yards per rush.[4] He also scored 10 touchdowns ā 8 rushing and 2 receiving.[4]
Professional career
Conley was drafted by the Bengals in the 7th round of the
The Cardinals signed Conley a few days later, primarily to play on special teams, but also a little bit at linebacker.[12][13][14][15] Conley played in all seven of the Cardinals' remaining games in 1972.[9] During the 1973 season the Cardinals moved him back to running back.[15] But the Cardinals released him prior to the regular season.[16] Conley then joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, where he played as a linebacker and as a slotback.[17][18] He played 5 games for the Tiger-Cats and caught 5 passes for 47 yards.[19][20] He also gained 5 yards rushing on 3 attempts for the Tiger-Cats.[20]
In 1974, Conley and several other Hamilton players were in a dispute over their contracts because the league increased the schedule from 14 games to 16 without increasing the players' salaries.[21] Conley briefly joined the Chicago Fire of the WFL but before the season started in July 1974 he was waived and signed by the Birmingham Americans as a tight end and linebacker.[22][23] He was traded to the Hawaiians during the season, in August.[24][25] After playing 4 games for the Hawaiians he was cut, but ended up in a dispute with the team over not being paid.[24][26] He had 1 interception for the Americans and 1 for the Hawaiians that year.[20]
In 1975 Conley joined the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL as a running back but was cut in preseason and then joined the San Antonio Wings of the WFL.[27][28][29] He played both running back and linebacker for the Wings.[30] Conley rushed 9 times for 33 yards and caught 2 passes for 33 yards for the Wings.[31] After being cut by the Wings late in the season he was signed by the Philadelphia Bell as a linebacker.[32]
References
- ^ a b c d Frisk, Bob (February 11, 1972). "Kickin' It Around". Daily Herald. p. 25. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Frisk, Bob (October 23, 1970). "Kickin' It Around". Daily Herald. p. 59. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Missildine, Harry (September 9, 1971). "Kansas returns to winged-T". Spokesman-Review. p. 26. Retrieved 2022-08-25 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Steve Conley". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- ^ a b "Steve Conley". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- ^ a b Frisk, Bob (October 27, 1972). "Kickin' It Around". Roselle Register. p. 23. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Cobb, Barry (October 28, 1972). "New-look Bengals, Oilers square off". Cincinnati Post. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Steward, R.L. (October 25, 1972). "Pritchard key, PB says". Journal Herald. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Steve Conley game logs". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- ^ a b Blount, Jim (October 30, 1972). "Bengals put it all together in hammering Houston, 30-7". The Journal News. p. 23. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Bolus, Jim (November 2, 1972). "Matson 'psyched up' as Greene, Steelers test Bengal offense". Courier-Journal. p. B13. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Forbes, Dick (November 4, 1972). "Bengals' invasion puts Steeler VP in orbit". Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 33. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Bengal Activated". News-Journal. November 4, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Conley's a Card again; watch for no. 47 Monday". Elk Grove Herald. November 24, 1972. p. 3-3. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Marshall, Jerry (August 1, 1973). "Conley back in backfield". Wheeling Herald. p. 4-2. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Grid Cards sell, release two players". Decatur Daily Review. September 5, 1972. p. 14. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Scott, Bob (September 29, 1973). "Stamps can keep hex alive". Calgary Herald. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Coleman, Jim (October 15, 1973). "Jim Coleman". Calgary Herald. p. 25. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Steve Conley". CFLdb. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- ^ a b c "Steve Conley". Stats Crew. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- ^ "Ticat thrown for loss". The Province. p. 26. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "WFL Transactions". The Orlando Sentinel. July 9, 1974. p. 2-C. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Henley one of eight cut as B'ham slices roster". Anniston Star. July 8, 1974. pp. 8ā9. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Kalb, Ben (October 27, 1974). "Hawaiians vs. Conley: who owes whom?". Honolulu Star. p. F-3. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gillman's feeling heat as Oilers play Cowboys". Miami Herald. August 17, 1974. p. 3-D. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Thomas, Norman S. (October 16, 1974). "Sport Sandwich". Sun-Journal. p. 25. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stamp coaches exude enthusiasm". Calgary Herald. June 14, 1975. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Walker, Hal (July 12, 1975). "Hal Walker". Calgary Herald. p. 45. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Go Get 'em Wings". San Antonio Express. August 1, 1975. p. 6-D. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Robinson, Barry (August 27, 1975). "Errors have cost Wings". San Antonio Express. pp. 1-Dā2-D. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "1975 San Antonio Wings Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- ^ "Dunbar, Conley signed by Bell". Courier-Post. October 3, 1975. p. 40. Retrieved 2022-08-26 – via newspapers.com.