Stefen Wisniewski
{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}
{{For|the German member of the Red Army Faction|Stefan Wisniewski}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Stefen Wisniewski
| image = Stefen Wisniewski 2019 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wisniewski with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019
| current_team =
| number = 61
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|03|22|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 305
| high_school = Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)
| college = Penn State
| draftyear = 2011
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 48
| pastteams = * Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2014}})
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2015}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2020}})
| status =
| highlights = * 2× Super Bowl champion (LII, LIV)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)
- First-team All-American (2010)
- 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2009, 2010)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2008)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 139
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 106
}}
Stefen David Wisniewski (born March 22, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a guard and center. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Penn State. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
College career
Wisniewski became the first Penn State Football student-athlete to be named an ESPN Academic All-American three times, having been a first team selection in 2008, 2009, and 2010.{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2010 |title=Penn State Again Leads Nation With Three First Team ESPN Academic All-Americans |url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112310aab.html |publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics}} He became Penn State's 95th first team All-American at the conclusion of the 2010 season.{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2010 |title=Wisniewski Selected AFCA All-American |url=http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aaa.html |publisher=Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics}} Prior to the 2011 NFL draft, Wisniewski was regarded as one of the top center prospects available.{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft – 2011 C Draft Prospects |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2011_C |access-date=August 13, 2010 |website=CBSSports.com}}
Professional career
=Oakland Raiders=
The Oakland Raiders selected Wisniewski in the second round with the 48th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His uncle, Steve Wisniewski, was an 8-time Pro Bowl guard for the Raiders and was selected in the second round (29th overall) of the 1989 NFL draft. Wisniewski elected not to wear his uncle's No. 76, stating that he wished to create his own legacy with his college No. 61 instead.{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2011 |title=Oakland Raider Draft Picks Get Their New Jersey Numbers |url=http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2011/5/9/2162776/oakland-raiders-draft-picks-jersey-numbers |publisher=Silver and Black Pride}}
He signed with the Raiders shortly before the beginning of the 2011 training camp.{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
At the beginning of the 2011 season, coach Hue Jackson named Wisniewski the Raiders' starting left guard, placed between Samson Satele at center and Jared Veldheer at left tackle. On opening day of the 2011 NFL season, the offensive line cleared the way for 190 rushing yards and a victory over the Denver Broncos.
Wisniewski was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 3 of the 2011 NFL season, after the Oakland offensive line cleared the way for 234 rushing yards and allowing only one sack against the New York Jets. His lead block on a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown run gave Oakland a two-score lead.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2011 |title=Wisniewski Voted Rookie of the Week |url=http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Wisniewski-Voted-Rookie-of-the-Week/5f2fc4bb-ff72-4edc-91df-1f629d20354e |publisher=Oakland Raiders}} In January 2012, Wisniewski was named to the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie team for his outstanding rookie season as starting left guard. Wisniewski helped pave the way for the NFL's 7th ranked rushing attack and anchored an offensive line that only allowed 25 sacks, tied for 3rd best in the NFL. With the departure of Samson Satele to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2012 offseason, Wisniewski became the Raiders' starting center.
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Wisniewski signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 18, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=April 18, 2015 |title=Jaguars, Stefen Wisniewski strike one-year deal |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jaguars-stefen-wisniewski-strike-one-year-deal-0ap3000000486244 |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=NFL.com}} He started all 16 games at center for the Jaguars in 2015.{{Cite web |title=Stefen Wisniewski 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WisnSt01/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On April 4, 2016, Wisniewski signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2017 |title=Eagles Sign G/C Wisniewski, G Tobin |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Sign-GC-Wisniewski-G-Tobin/396313da-f19a-4eb9-a923-623b92ce37d0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825145510/https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagles-Sign-GC-Wisniewski-G-Tobin/396313da-f19a-4eb9-a923-623b92ce37d0 |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |website=Philadelphia Eagles}} On March 10, 2017, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Eagles.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alex |date=March 10, 2017 |title=Wisniewski Returns On Three-Year Deal |url=http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Wisniewski-Returns-On-Three-Year-Deal/1c28eb97-8892-4670-b704-90f4c97264d9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825145729/https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Wisniewski-Returns-On-Three-Year-Deal/1c28eb97-8892-4670-b704-90f4c97264d9 |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} Wisniewski played in 14 games and started 11 in the 2017 NFL season. The team went 13–3 and earned a first round bye. The Eagles defeated both the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings to reach Super Bowl LII. The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33 to win their first Super Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Lindsay H. |date=February 4, 2018 |title=Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super/2018/02/04/super-bowl-2018-score-philadelphia-eagles-new-england-patriots/305840002/ |access-date=February 25, 2019 |website=USA TODAY |language=en}}
In 2018, Wisniewski entered the season as the starting left guard, but was then benched in Week 5 in favor of Isaac Seumalo. He started the final three weeks of the regular season after Seumalo was sidelined with a pectoral injury.
On March 11, 2019, the Eagles declined the team option on Wisniewski's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=March 11, 2019 |title=Eagles won't pick up Stefan Wisniewski's option |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/03/11/eagles-wont-pick-up-stefan-wisniewskis-option/ |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}} On May 13, 2019, Wisniewski re-signed with the Eagles.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=May 13, 2019 |title=Eagles bring back veteran G/C Stefen Wisniewski |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-bring-back-veteran-stefen-wisniewski |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}} He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Eagles announce roster moves as team gets to 53-player limit |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-roster-cutdown-2019 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com}}
=Kansas City Chiefs (first stint)=
On October 9, 2019, Wisniewski was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=October 9, 2019 |title=Chiefs signing offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/08/chiefs-signing-offensive-lineman-stefen-wisniewski/ |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}} He won his second Super Bowl championship when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV by a score of 31–20.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=February 2, 2020 |title=Chiefs rally once again to defeat 49ers, win SB LIV |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-rally-once-again-to-defeat-49ers-win-sb-liv-0ap3000001100762 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On March 26, 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Wisniewski to a two-year, $2.85 million contract that included a signing bonus of $375,000.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Stefen Wisniewski contract history |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/stefen-wisniewski-7767/ |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=spotrac.com}} He joined his hometown team as a potential replacement for the retiring left guard Ramon Foster.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=March 25, 2020 |title=Wisniewski brings experience to line |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/wisniewski-brings-experience-to-line |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Steelers.com}} He started at right guard in the Steelers' 2020 season opener against the New York Giants, as regular starter David DeCastro was injured. Wisniewski suffered a chest injury in the game and was placed on injured reserve on September 18, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=September 18, 2020 |title=Steelers make moves ahead of Sunday's game |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-moves-ahead-of-sunday-s-game |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Steelers.com}} He was activated on November 4, 2020, but then waived three days later.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Steelers activate Wisniewski |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-activate-wisniewski |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Steelers.com}}{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=November 7, 2020 |title=Steelers make additional roster moves |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-more-roster-moves |access-date=March 22, 2021 |website=Steelers.com}}
=Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)=
On November 24, 2020, Wisniewski was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Charles |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Chiefs release CB Lavert Hill from practice squad to make room for OL Stefen Wisniewski |url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/24/kansas-city-chiefs-lavert-hill-waived-stefen-wisniewski-signed/ |access-date=December 29, 2020 |website=USAToday.com}} He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 and 12 for the team's weeks 13 and 14 games against the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Charles |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Chiefs make several roster moves on Saturday |url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/05/kansas-city-chiefs-dorian-odaniel-stefen-wisniewski-chris-lammons-roster-moves/ |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=USAToday.com}}{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Charles |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Chiefs announce two roster moves on Saturday |url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/12/kansas-city-chiefs-week-14-chris-lammons-stefen-wisniewski-roster-moves/ |access-date=January 27, 2021 |website=USAToday.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 19, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Charles |date=December 19, 2020 |title=Chiefs announce flurry of roster moves on Saturday |url=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/19/kansas-city-chiefs-week-15-byron-pringle-deandre-bakers-stefen-wisniewski-roster-moves/ |access-date=February 3, 2021 |website=USAToday.com}}
=Retirement=
On August 26, 2021, Wisniewski announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.{{cite web|title=Longtime OL Stefen Wisniewski calls it a career after 10 NFL seasons|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/longtime-ol-stefen-wisniewski-calls-it-a-career-after-10-nfl-seasons|author=Shook, Nick|website=NFL.com|date=August 26, 2021}}
Personal life
Wisniewski comes from an athletic family; his father Leo Wisniewski played four seasons for the Colts as a nose tackle, while his uncle Steve Wisniewski was an eight-time Pro Bowl guard with the Raiders and served as the team's assistant offensive line coach in 2011. He played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Wisniewski is a Christian.{{Cite web |last=Wisniewski |first=Stefen |date=January 30, 2020 |title=Chiefs lineman Stefen Wisniewski on trying season: 'God allowed it to test me, to bring Him glory' |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2020/01/30/chiefs-stefen-wisniewski-trying-season-god-allowed-test-bring-him-glory/ |access-date=February 3, 2020 |website=Sports Spectrum}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Football stats |nfl=Stefen-Wisniewski|espn=169 |pfr=W/WisnSt01}}
- [http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wisniewski_stefen00.html Penn State Nittany Lions bio]
{{Super Bowl LII}}
{{Super Bowl LIV}}
{{Raiders2011DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wisniewski, Stefen}}
Category:American people of Polish descent
Category:Players of American football from Pittsburgh
Category:American football centers
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players