A Legacy On and Off the Field
The University of Oklahoma announced with deep sorrow that former All‑America football player Steve Zabel died early this week, surrounded by his family.
Zabel, who wore the crimson and cream from 1967 to 1969, excelled as a tight end, linebacker and punter, helping the Sooners capture the Big Eight title and earn a berth in the 1967 Orange Bowl.
His performances earned him second‑team All‑America honors in 1968 and a first‑team selection by The Sporting News the following year, cementing his place among the program’s greats.
The National Football League drafted him in 1970, and he went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Colts, starting 95 of the 124 games he appeared in and earning a spot on the Patriots’ 1970s all‑decade team.
Beyond the gridiron, Zabel devoted himself to charitable causes in the Oklahoma City area and was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, a testament to his impact off the field.
University athletic director Chuck Fairbanks praised Zabel’s contributions, noting that his legacy will inspire future generations of Sooners.