Steve Meilinger

American football player (1930–2015)
American football player
Steve Meilinger
refer to caption
Meilinger on a 1954 Bowman football card
No. 86, 80, 88
Position:End
Personal information
Born:(1930-12-12)December 12, 1930
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:September 14, 2015(2015-09-14) (aged 84)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Liberty (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
Fork Union Military Academy (VA)
College:Kentucky
NFL draft:1954 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
Career history
  • Washington Redskins (1956–1957)
  • Green Bay Packers (1958–1960)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (1961)
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:52
Receiving yards:863
Average:14.4
Touchdowns:8
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR
College Football Hall of Fame

Stephen Frank Meilinger (December 12, 1930 – September 14, 2015) was an American football end who played professionally in the National Football League before joining the United States Marshals Service, during which time he served as one of the federal officers employed by the United States Federal Witness Protection Program during its early days.

He subsequently rose through the ranks to become chief deputy for the Marshals' Eastern District of Kentucky.

Biography

Meilinger played college football at the University of Kentucky and was drafted in the first round of the 1954 NFL Draft. He then went on to a National Football League (NFL) career, playing for the Washington Redskins, the Green Bay Packers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Following his NFL career, Meilinger joined the United States Marshals Service. During his Marshals Service career, he was one of the original agents for the United States Federal Witness Protection Program, and eventually was promoted to chief deputy for the Eastern District of Kentucky, where he served until his retirement.

Honors

In 2014, Meilinger was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[1]

Death

Meilinger died in Lexington, Kentucky, on September 14, 2015, at the age of 84.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Steve Meilinger to be Officially Enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame Tonight - NashvilleSportsMix". NashvilleSportsMix.
  2. ^ "UK football All-American Meilinger dies at 84". Kentucky.com.
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Washington Commanders first-round draft picks
Formerly the Boston Braves (1932), Boston Redskins (1933–1936), Washington Redskins (1937–2019), and Washington Football Team (2020–2021)
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Washington Redskins 1954 NFL Draft selections