Steve Zabel, a prominent college football player and a decade-long veteran of the National Football League, has died at the age of 78. The NFLPA Former Players organization announced his passing on social media earlier this week. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Zabel gained recognition for his pioneering two-way play at the University of Oklahoma under coach Chuck Fairbanks. Primarily a tight end who earned Second-Team All-American honors in 1968, Zabel also contributed significantly as a linebacker during his junior season. He recalled in a 2021 interview that Fairbanks asked him to play defense to help the team win games, a transition that coincided with Oklahoma winning their final six games and securing the Big Eight Championship.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Zabel with the sixth overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. He played five seasons with the Eagles, making eight starts as a rookie and catching one touchdown in 14 games. However, the team's coaching staff ultimately decided his offensive style was not a good fit and moved him to outside linebacker for the remainder of his time in Philadelphia.
Following his tenure with the Eagles, Zabel joined the New England Patriots for four seasons. He later had a brief stint with the Baltimore Colts before concluding his NFL career. Despite his collegiate success as a two-way player, this versatility did not translate to the same impact in the professional league.
Zabel was honored by the Patriots as part of their team of the 1970s. Academically, he was a standout, earning selections to two First-Team All-Big Eight squads.
After retiring from professional football, Zabel opted for coaching positions at the high school level over college offers. He also dedicated time to establishing charitable programs in Oklahoma City. He is survived by his wife, three children, several grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.