Steve Conley (running back)

Conley played high school football at Arlington High School and initially played college football at Arizona Western College. He then transferred to the University of Kansas where he played as a running back. One of his most notable experiences at Kansas was dropping a last second touchdown pass to win a game against arch-rival Kansas State in 1979 which would have won the game, after dreaming the night before he would be involved in a play that would decide the game. The following year he rushed for a touchdown to help beat Kansas State. In October 1970 he was named player of the week for his performance in a game against Nebraska.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Daily Herald|title=Kickin' It Around|author=Frisk, Bob|date=October 23, 1970|page=59|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108354695/the-daily-herald/}} Until his junior year at Kansas he shared a backfield with future Hall of Famer John Riggins.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-25|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|date=September 9, 1971|title=Kansas returns to winged-T|author=Missildine, Harry|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108355254/the-spokesman-review/}} Conley finished his college career in 1971 with 1064 yards on 253 carries for an average of 4.2 yards per rush.{{cite web|title=Steve Conley|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/steve-conley-1.html|publisher=Sports Reference|accessdate=2022-08-26}} He also scored 10 touchdowns – 8 rushing and 2 receiving.

Conley was selected by the Bengals in the 7th round of the 1972 NFL draft, with the 158th overall pick.{{cite web|title=Steve Conley|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ConlSt00.htm|publisher=Sports Reference|work=Pro Football Reference|accessdate=2022-08-26}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Daily Herald|date=February 11, 1972|author=Frisk, Bob|title=Kickin' It Around|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108356275/the-daily-herald/}} The Bengals initially wanted to convert Conley to a linebacker because they had lost several linebackers to injury the prior year, and felt that Conley agility would be well suited to the linebacker position.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Roselle Register|date=October 27, 1972|author=Frisk, Bob|title=Kickin' It Around|page=23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108356840/the-roselle-register/}} Conley was on the Bengals' taxi squad for the first 6 games of the 1972 season but got a break in late October when the Bengals traded away two running backs, Fred Willis and Paul Robinson, to the Houston Oilers in exchange for wide receiver Charlie Joiner and linebacker Ron Pritchard.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|author=Cobb, Barry|newspaper=Cincinnati Post|date=October 28, 1972|title=New-look Bengals, Oilers square off|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108365121/the-cincinnati-post/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Journal Herald|date=October 25, 1972|title=Pritchard key, PB says|author=Steward, R.L.|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108366074/the-journal-herald/}} The Bengals activated Conley as a backup running back for their October 29 game against the Oilers. Conley rushed for 8 yards on 3 carries in the game, won by the Bengals by a score of 30-7.{{cite web|title=Steve Conley game logs|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ConlSt00/gamelog/1972/|publisher=Sports Reference|work=Pro Football Reference|accessdate=2022-08-26}} He also played on special teams and recovered an Oiler fumble on a punt return.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=The Journal News|date=October 30, 1972|title=Bengals put it all together in hammering Houston, 30-7|author=Blount, Jim|page=23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108365730/the-journal-news/}} This would prove to be the only game Conley would play for the Bengals and the only rushes he would have in his NFL career. A few days after the game the Bengals picked up running back Reece Morrison on waivers and waived Conley.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Courier-Journal|date=November 2, 1972|title=Matson 'psyched up' as Greene, Steelers test Bengal offense|author=Bolus, Jim|page=B13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108366640/the-courier-journal/}}

The Cardinals signed Conley a few days later, primarily to play on special teams, but also a little bit at linebacker.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=November 4, 1972|title=Bengals' invasion puts Steeler VP in orbit|author=Forbes, Dick|page=33|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108366954/the-cincinnati-enquirer/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=News-Journal|date=November 4, 1972|title=New Bengal Activated|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108367603/news-journal/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Elk Grove Herald|date=November 24, 1972|title=Conley's a Card again; watch for no. 47 Monday|page=3-3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108368700/elk-grove-herald/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Wheeling Herald|date=August 1, 1973|title=Conley back in backfield|author=Marshall, Jerry|page=4-2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108369051/the-wheeling-herald/}} Conley played in all seven of the Cardinals' remaining games in 1972. During the 1973 season the Cardinals moved him back to running back. But the Cardinals released him prior to the regular season.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Decatur Daily Review|date=September 5, 1972|title=Grid Cards sell, release two players|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108369377/the-decatur-daily-review/}} Conley then joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, where he played as a linebacker and as a slotback.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Calgary Herald|date=September 29, 1973|title=Stamps can keep hex alive|author=Scott, Bob|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108369788/calgary-herald/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Calgary Herald|date=October 15, 1973|title=Jim Coleman|author=Coleman, Jim|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108370314/calgary-herald/}} He played 5 games for the Tiger-Cats and caught 5 passes for 47 yards.{{cite web|title=Steve Conley|publisher=CFLdb|url=https://stats.cfldb.ca/person/steve-c-conley-1949/|accessdate=2022-08-26}}{{cite web|title=Steve Conley|publisher=Stats Crew|url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-conleste001|accessdate=2022-08-26}} He also gained 5 yards rushing on 3 attempts for the Tiger-Cats.

In 1974, Conley and several other Hamilton players were in a dispute over their contracts because the league increased the schedule from 14 games to 16 without increasing the players' salaries.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=The Province|title=Ticat thrown for loss|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108370755/the-province/}} Conley briefly joined the Chicago Fire of the WFL but before the season started in July 1974 he was waived and signed by the Birmingham Americans as a tight end and linebacker.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|date=July 9, 1974|title=WFL Transactions|page=2-C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108371231/the-orlando-sentinel/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Anniston Star|date=July 8, 1974|pages=8–9|title=Henley one of eight cut as B'ham slices roster|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108374001/the-anniston-star/}} He was traded to the Hawaiians during the season, in August.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Honolulu Star|date=October 27, 1974|author=Kalb, Ben|title=Hawaiians vs. Conley: who owes whom?|page=F-3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108371937/honolulu-star-bulletin/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Miami Herald|date=August 17, 1974|title=Gillman's feeling heat as Oilers play Cowboys|page=3-D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108372727/the-miami-herald/}} After playing 4 games for the Hawaiians he was cut, but ended up in a dispute with the team over not being paid.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Sun-Journal|date=October 16, 1974|title=Sport Sandwich|author=Thomas, Norman S.|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108372502/sun-journal/}} He had 1 interception for the Americans and 1 for the Hawaiians that year.

In 1975 Conley joined the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL as a running back but was cut in preseason and then joined the San Antonio Wings of the WFL.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Calgary Herald|date=June 14, 1975|title=Stamp coaches exude enthusiasm|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108384910/calgary-herald/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Calgary Herald|date=July 12, 1975|title=Hal Walker|author=Walker, Hal|page=45|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108384988/calgary-herald/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=San Antonio Express|date=August 1, 1975|title=Go Get 'em Wings|page=6-D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108385149/san-antonio-express/}} He played both running back and linebacker for the Wings.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=San Antonio Express|date=August 27, 1975|title=Errors have cost Wings|author=Robinson, Barry|pages=1-D–2-D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108386054/san-antonio-express/}} Conley rushed 9 times for 33 yards and caught 2 passes for 33 yards for the Wings.{{cite web|title=1975 San Antonio Wings Statistics|url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/t-WFLSAW/y-1975|publisher=Stats Crew|accessdate=2022-08-26}} After being cut by the Wings late in the season he was signed by the Philadelphia Bell as a linebacker.{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2022-08-26|newspaper=Courier-Post|date=October 3, 1975|title=Dunbar, Conley signed by Bell|page=40|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108386422/courier-post/}}

{{reflist}}

{{Bengals1972DraftPicks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Conley, Steve}}

Category:1949 births

Category:American football running backs

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Kansas Jayhawks football players

Category:Cincinnati Bengals players

Category:St. Louis Cardinals (football) players

Category:The Hawaiians players

Category:Birmingham Americans players

Category:Players of American football from Chicago

Category:Hamilton Tiger-Cats players

Category:San Antonio Wings players

Category:Philadelphia Bell players

Category:Living people