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| Born | April 10, 1962 Smith Center, Kansas |
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| Career information | |||
| Year(s) | 1985–1997 | ||
| NFL Draft | 1985 / Round: 9 / Pick: 226 | ||
| College | Northwestern | ||
| Professional teams | |||
| Career stats | |||
| Receptions | 51 | ||
| Receiving Yards | 779 | ||
| Touchdowns | 9 | ||
| Stats at NFL.com | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
Steven Jay Tasker (born April 10, 1962 in Smith Center, Kansas) is a broadcaster for CBS Sports, who previously was a wide receiver/gunner in the National Football League. He was drafted in the ninth round (226th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Northwestern. He began his college career at Dodge City Community College.
Tasker also played for the Buffalo Bills and was voted by Bills fans to the teams 50th season All-time Team.[1]
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College career
Tasker first attended Dodge City Community College. After two years, he transferred to Northwestern University where he played the final two years of his college career before joining the National Football League.
Professional career
Tasker was selected in the ninth round (226th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers where he only played for two seasons. He was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills on November 8, 1986.[2]
Tasker was officially listed as a wide receiver, however, most of his playing time came at gunner, on punts and kickoffs. However, after he joined the Buffalo Bills, he began to play at wide receiver more than with the Oilers.
Play as gunner
Tasker stands just 5' 9" tall and weighed 183 lbs., however, despite his lack of size, he gained a reputation as one of the league's most feared hitters, forcing numerous fumbles. Contributing to his success in breaking up kick and punt returns was his speed; he was almost always the first player to reach the return man. He was the first player to establish himself as a star almost exclusively through special teams play without being either a kicker or a returner.
Tasker played in seven Pro Bowls (1987 and 1990-1995) as a special teamer and was named the game's MVP in 1993.
Many, including former teammate and Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, consider him to be the greatest special teams player of all-time and believe that he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was even ranked #9 on the NFL Network's NFL Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame.
After football
Tasker is currently a color commentator for CBS football telecasts as well as play-by-play for the local broadcasts of Bills pre-season games, working alongside his former coach, Marv Levy, who also did color commentary until becoming the General Manager of the Bills in 2006. In 2007, Ray Bentley took over Levy's place as play-by-play announcer while Tasker provided color commentary. Tasker is also the spokesperson for the West Herr Auto Group.
On September 9, 2007, Tasker became the 24th person inducted to the Bills Wall of Fame.[3]
Personal life
ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman gave Tasker one of his famous nicknames: Steve "A Tisker a" Tasker.
See also
References
- ^ Major, Andy (April 25, 2009). "Bills All-Time Team Fan Voting Determind 26 Total Members". Buffalo Bills. http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/bills-all-time-team-fan-voting-determined-26-total-members/892eb237-0f28-4bab-a22e-9b8c399ade64.
- ^ "The Month of November in Bills History". Buffalo Bills. http://www.buffalobills.com/team/history/important-dates-november.html. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
- ^ "Steve Tasker Wall of Fame Ceremony". http://www.buffalobills.com/media-lounge/videos/steve-tasker-wall-of-fame-ceremony/ccb67893-439c-42db-8642-e392c246b586. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
External links
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