K-State Football: Best NFL Careers All-Time

Best Wildcats to Play in the NFL – Number 1: Steve Grogan

NFL quarterback from 1975-1990

The best Kansas State football alum to grace the NFL is none other than Steve Grogan, who spent a whopping 16 years in the pros, all with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots drafted Grogan out of Kansas State in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft despite the quarterback having a lot of injury issues during his collegiate career. Even with the injury history, Grogan helped get New England to the playoffs in 1976, which was the first time they’d been there in over a decade.

His jersey is the only one to be retired for K-State football, and he’s, without a doubt, the best K-State alum to play in the NFL.

Grogan got them to the playoffs again in 1978, but soon was injured too frequently and the Patriots drafted Tony Eason in 1985. The two went back and forth as the starter over the years, but Grogan helped lead the team to the Super Bowl against the Bears, where they did nothing against that defense.

Grogan was a great mobile quarterback during his time in the pros, rushing for over 2,100 yards during his long career. The most impressive stat is that he rushed for 12 touchdowns during his second season in 1976, something that mobile quarterbacks don’t even do now.

All in all, Steve Grogan ended his 16-year long career with 26,886 yards, 182 passing touchdowns, and 35 rushing touchdowns. His jersey (the same as Lynn Dickey’s) is the only one to be retired for K-State football, and he’s, without a doubt, the best K-State alum to play in the NFL.

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