Steve Okoniewski

Educator and Coach after NFL

Steve Okoniewski remembers exactly where and when he found out he became a Green Bay Packer.

The then 24-year-old Buffalo Bills defensive lineman was in a cafe in Missoula, Montana, in July 1974. Okoniewski was back home as the players and NFL owners were locked in a labor dispute.

"It was 1:30 in the morning. Some guy walked up to me and showed me the headline in the local sports section. I didn't know I had been traded to Green Bay. Honestly, I about fell over."

Former Montana Grizzly Okoniewski was a 2nd round draft pick by Atlanta in 1972. An offensive tackle in college, Steve O was switched to defensive tackle because of his toughness. He played 6 years in the NFL, mostly with Buffalo and Green Bay.

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