Steve Wagner (American football)

Steven John Wagner (born April 18, 1954) is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He played four seasons for the Green Bay Packers (1976–1979) and one for the Philadelphia Eagles (1980). Wagner graduated from Oconomowoc High School before attending the University of Wisconsin, where he played college football.^[1] He was a second-team all-Big Ten selection during his senior year at Wisconsin.^[2]

Steve Wagner

No. 21, 42
Position:	Defensive back
Personal information
Born:	(1954-04-18) April 18, 1954 (age 70) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:	Oconomowoc (Wisconsin)
College:	Wisconsin
NFL draft:	1976 / Round: 5 / Pick: 133
Career history
Green Bay Packers (1976–1979) Philadelphia Eagles (1980)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Big Ten (1975)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 61 Kick returns: 14 Return yards: 181
Player stats at PFR

Wagner was drafted in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He missed out on a roster spot with the Vikings but ended up signing a contract with the Packers halfway through the 1976 NFL season.^[3] The Wisconsin State Journal noted that Wagner was a "key member of the Packer specialty teams" and recorded the most tackles (13 solo, 10 assisted) during punt and kick returns of any player on the Packers during the 1977 NFL season.^[2] Prior to the 1980 NFL season, Wagner was waived by the Packers and then signed by the Eagles. After playing for the Eagles during the preseason, he was waived again and returned home to work as a salesman for his father's electronics business. However, the Eagles ended up signing Wagner near the end of the season due to injuries to other players.^[4] Over a five year career with the Packers and Eagles, Wagner played in 61 games, recording 14 kick returns for 181 yards, while also recovering three fumbles. He never started a game in his NFL career.^[1]

References

1. "Steve Wagner Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
2. "Steve Wagner: No. 21". Wisconsin State Journal (clipping). October 23, 1978. p. 4, Section 2. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Langenkamp, Don (October 14, 1976). "Wagner 'home' after wandering". The Post-Crescent (clipping). p. B-11. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Vanderpas, Dan (November 23, 1980). "Steve Wagner happy with Eagles". The Post-Crescent (clipping). p. E-2. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.