| No. 20 | |
| Born: | (1946-02-04)February 4, 1946 (age 79) Hearne, Texas, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Punter Wide receiver |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| College | Texas A&M |
| High school | Hearne (TX) |
| NFL draft | 1969, round: 13, pick: 21 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1969 | New York Jets (AFL) |
| 1970–1972 | New York Jets |
| 1973 | New Orleans Saints |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Stephen James O'Neal (born February 4, 1946) is an American former professionalfootballpunter and awide receiver. O'Neal is best known for kicking a 98-yardpunt during theAmerican Football League (AFL) game between theNew York Jets andDenver Broncos on September 21, 1969. Thispunt set the record for the longest punt in AFL and NFL history.[1] He finished his career with 337 punts for 13,725 yards and a 40.7 yards per punt average.[2]
O'Neal was selected in the 13th round, pick 21 of the 1969Common draft by the AFL'sNew York Jets.[3] O'Neal was traded by the Jets to theNew Orleans Saints before the 1973 season along with backupquarterbackBob Davis in exchange for wide receiverMargene Adkins and punterJulian Fagan.[1] Jets' coachWeeb Ewbank said of the trade that "We've been disappointed with our punting game which is the reason for this trade," although Fagan only lasted one year with the Jets.[1] He set a career-high with 81 punts in his final season for the New Orleans Saints in 1973.[4] After struggling during the 1974 preseason, he was waived by the Saints before the 1974 regular season began and replaced byDonnie Gibbs, who himself was waived after the first regular season game and replaced byTom Blanchard.[5][6][7]
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