Steve Pelluer

Steve Pelluer
No. 16, 11
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1962-07-29) July 29, 1962
Place of birth: Yakima, Washington
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight: 204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Interlake (WA)
College: Washington
NFL draft: 1984 / Round: 5 / Pick: 113
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
TD-INT: 29-39
Passing yards: 6,870
QB Rating: 71.6
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Steven Carl Pelluer (born July 29, 1962) is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), 209 lb (95 kg) quarterback from the University of Washington, Pelluer played in eight NFL seasons from 1984 to 1991.

Early years

Pelluer attended Interlake High School in Washington and lettered in football and basketball. In football, he led his team to the state quarterfinals as a junior and as a senior.

He went on to play at the University of Washington. As a sophomore in 1981, he took over the starting quarterback position, after Tim Cowan injured his thumb in the second game of the season. He finished with 110 of 234 completions, for 1,138 yards and 9 touchdowns, while leading the team to a Pacific-10 Conference title and a 28-0 win over the University of Iowa in the 1982 Rose Bowl. In 1982, even though his record was 7-1, he lost his starting job to Cowan. In 1983, he had one of the best quarterback seasons in school history, receiving All-Pac-10 and the conference's offensive player of the year honors, after completing a 65.1% of his passes (school record) for 2,365 yards and 11 touchdowns.[1]

He left as the school's second career leader in passing yards with 4,917 yards, to go along with 30 touchdowns, 331 rushing yards and a 26-7 record.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Pelluer was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (113th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. He was the third string quarterback in 1984 and 1985. In 1985, with the first place in the NFC East division at stake, he was forced to enter a tight game against the New York Giants, because both starting quarterbacks (Danny White and backup Gary Hogeboom) had been injured. Pelluer played well in relief and led the Cowboys to a victory that clinched the NFC East title.[2][3]

In 1986, he was named the backup quarterback after Hogeboom was traded, and when White suffered a season-ending injury in week 9, he became the starter for the remainder of the season, showing a strong arm and great mobility. Playing against the Seattle Seahawks, he set the franchise record for consecutive passes completed (14) without an incompletion.

In 1987, he began as a backup, but took White's starting job in week 10. In 1988, at a low point in franchise history, he started 14 of the 16 games, passing for 3,139 yards and 17 touchdowns, but the team finished just 3-13 (3-11 in his starts). That year against the Chicago Bears, while sliding feet first, he received a highlight-reel hit by linebacker Mike Singletary, that forced him to leave the game with a concussion.[4] He was the last quarterback to start and win a game for a Tom Landry-coached team.

The next year he asked to be traded, after Jimmy Johnson was hired as the new head coach and drafted two rookie quarterbacks (Troy Aikman and Steve Walsh).[5] On October 17, 1989, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a third round draft choice in 1990 (#68-Ron Lewis) and a fourth round draft choice in 1991 (#106-Bill Musgrave).[6]

Kansas City Chiefs

In 1989, he appeared in 5 regular season games with 3 starts. On November 5, he led his team to a 20-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks and tied a franchise record for rushing yards (69) by a quarterback.[7]

In 1990, he appeared in 13 games with no starts, after Steve DeBerg established himself as the team starter during the preseason.

On August 7, 1991, he walked out of training camp, before returning on August 19.[8] He was released on August 27 and later re-signed on December 17 to backup Mark Vlasic after DeBerg was injured.[9]

Denver Broncos

In 1992, he was signed in Plan B free agency by the Denver Broncos and was cut on August 18, before the start of the season.[10][11]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)

Pelluer was out of football for three years, until signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in 1995.[12] He was lost for the season after dislocating his shoulder in the second game against the Birmingham Barracudas.

Frankfurt Galaxy (WLAF)

In 1996, he played with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World League of American Football, reuniting with head coach Ernie Stautner, who was the defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys. Pelluer was one of the three top quarterbacks in the league and helped his team reach the World Bowl. He returned the next year, but was a reserve player, before deciding to retire at the end of the season.

Personal life

Pelluer's brother Scott, played linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.

References

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