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ALUMNI STORIES: STEVE DEBERG

STEVE DEBERG

Playing 18 years in the National Football League, DeBerg saw one of the longest, most successful professional playing careers. Steve competed with and learned from the very best, including several Hall of Fame coaches (Bill Walsh, Dan Reeves, Don Shula) and Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, John Elway, Steve Young, Dan Marino.)

Steve was the quarterback for Hal Sherbeck’s Hornets during the 1972 and 1973 seasons. During the 1973 season, DeBerg led the Hornets to a South Coast Conference title with a record of 5-0. In postseason play, DeBerg quarterbacked the Hornets past San Diego City College 24-0 at Anaheim Stadium before a crowd of 10,000. In the State Semifinals FC fell short at a chance for another title by 9 points to Los Angeles City College 29-20. FJC would end the season with an impressive overall record of 10-1-0.

DeBerg was the starting at quarterback for San Jose State University in 1976, and led the team to a Pacific Coast Athletic Association (now Big West Conference) title.

The first quarterback to captain Bill Walsh’s “West Coast Offense” in 1979, Steve played for the 49ers (1978-1980) and led the NFL in passing completions and attempts in 1979.

In 1998, Steve made a comeback for the Atlanta Falcons, playing in eight games and starting one becoming the oldest starting quarterback in NFL history at age 44. He still holds the distinction of being the oldest player on a Super Bowl roster at age 45.

Since his playing days, Steve was inducted into the California Community Colleges Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1993, inducted into San Jose State’s Ring of Honor in 2001 (which includes coaches Dick Vermeil, Jack Elway and Bill Walsh), and inducted into the Rebel Hall of Fame at Savanna High School in 2010.