Steve Jastrzembski

Steve Vincent Jastrzembski (August 27, 1939 – January 14, 2009) was an

Early life and education

Jastrzembski was born on August 27, 1939, in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. He attended Vandergrift High School, graduating in 1957, before joining the University of Pittsburgh. During his first two years with the team, he did not see much action and was a backup end.^[1]

He developed into one of the favorite targets of quarterback Ivan Toncic in 1959, along with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, who also played the end position. In a week-three 25–21 comeback win over UCLA, Jastrzembski caught the game-winning touchdown from Toncic with seconds left, and was carried off the field by teammates.^[2] He totaled 105 receiving yards on five receptions against UCLA, earning him "sophomore of the week" honors from his conference.^[3]

Early in his career with Pittsburgh, Jastrzembski had "butter fingers now and then", but became better at catching the ball after taping his hands prior to each game, something he read Raymond Berry had done.^[4]

At the school, he was nicknamed "Jazz", as many of his teammates and teachers could not correctly pronounce his surname.^[5] "For one professor, I had to pronounce my name every day," Jastrzembski said. "He'd say, 'Oh, I've got it now,' and then mispronounce it again. I felt like telling him, 'Just call me Jazz.'"^[4]

As a junior in 1960, he finished the season with second-team all-state honors, only behind teammate Mike Ditka.^[6] He earned a starting role in 1961, after Ditka graduated.^[7]

Professional career

Jastrzembski was drafted in both the