STEVE GROGAN
1953 –
Inducted – 1999

After a standout prep career at Ottawa High School where he led his team to state titles in basketball and track and a state runner-up finish in football, Steve Grogan went on to football stardom at Kansas State University and in the NFL. At 6’-4” and 210 pounds, he established himself as one of the game’s great running quarterbacks. At K–State, he passed for 2,213 yards and ran for 585 to rank among the school’s all–time passing and total offense leaders. K–State’s jersey number 11, worn by Grogan and Lynn Dickey, was the first football jersey retired by the university in honor of the two standout quarterbacks. Grogan went on to the NFL and spent sixteen seasons with the New England patriots and set numerous team records including 26,886 passing yards and 182 touchdowns. He also rushed for 2,164 yards (4.9 avg.) and 35 tds during his career. His 12 rushing touchdowns in 1976 established the NFL record for quarterbacks. In 1986, Grogan quarterbacked the Patriots to Super Bowl XX where he hit 17 of 30 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in a 46–10 loss to the Bears. Grogan’s best game came against the Jets in 1979 when he connected on 13 or 18 passes for 315 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Despite playing quarterback, he is still revered as one of the hardest hitters and toughest players in Patriots history. Inducted in the KSHSAA Hall of Fame, 1976; K–State Sports Hall of Fame, 1995; New England Patriots Hall of Fame, 1995. Ottawa H.S. football stadium is named in his honor. Born July 24, 1953 – San Antonio, Texas. Graduated Ottawa (KS) H.S., 1971; Kansas State University, 1975.