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6d ago

Steve Zabel, Oklahoma Two‑Way Star and NFL Linebacker, Dies at 78

The death highlights a career that moved from rare two‑way college play to a top‑10 draft pick followed by a decade in the NFL.

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New England Patriots player Steve Nelson wearing a number 54 jersey and a white Riddell helmet, Image 2 shows A Philadelphia Eagles player in a green and white striped jersey, with a mustache and sideburns, his hair disheveled, and a bandaged arm

Overview

  • The University of Oklahoma confirmed late Friday that Steve Zabel had died at age 78 and news outlets have not reported a cause of death.
  • Zabel was a rare two‑way player for the Sooners from 1967–69 who played tight end, linebacker and punted and who earned second‑team All‑America honors in 1968.
  • He was selected sixth overall in the 1970 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent roughly 10 seasons as a linebacker with the Eagles, New England Patriots and Baltimore Colts.
  • After retiring Zabel returned to Oklahoma, coached high school football, co‑founded local nonprofits and was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
  • A public memorial is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7 at Life.church in Edmond and he is survived by his wife, three children, grandchildren and a great‑grandchild.