Steve Tensi
{{Short description|American football player (1942–2024)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image =
| position = Quarterback
| number = 13
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|12|8}}
| birth_place = Cheviot, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|3|15|1942|12|8}}
| death_place = Boone, North Carolina, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 215
| draftyear = 1965
| draftround = 16
| draftpick = 224
| afldraftyear = 1965
| afldraftround = 4
| afldraftpick = 30
| high_school = Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio)
| college = Florida State
| teams =
- San Diego Chargers (1965–1966)
- Denver Broncos (1967–{{NFL year|1970}})
| statvalue1 = 43–46
| statlabel2 = Passing yards
| statvalue2 = 5,558
| statlabel3 = Passer rating
| statvalue3 = 59.0
| pfr = TensSt00
}}
Stephen Michael Tensi (December 8, 1942 – March 15, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. He played professionally for the San Diego Chargers (1965–1966) and the Denver Broncos (1967–1970).
College career
After graduating from Elder High School in Cincinnati, Ohio,Nolefan.org. [http://nolefan.org/summary/f1964.html "Florida State Football – 1964 Year In Review"]. Retrieved August 19, 2013. where he had been his high school MVP and first-team All City and Cincinnati Post All-Metro,Elder High School (?), "Elder Panther Football 1960". http://media.elderhs.net/EHSPortsArchives/FootballArchives/HistoryFiles/History1960.htm. Retrieved August 19, 2013. Tensi went to Florida State University. His biggest collegiate success came in 1964, his senior year at FSU. The Seminoles switched to a pro set offense that year and had one of the highest scoring teams in college football, averaging nearly 24 points a game.Garnet and Great podcast. [http://classicnoles.typepad.com/garnetandgreat/2007/03/steve_tensi_tal.html "Steve Tensi talks about Biletnikoff, beating the Gators for the first time, and the Noles breakout season of '64"]. March 14, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2013. Tensi threw for 1,683 yards and 14 TDs in FSU's 10 games, many of which were thrown to first-team All American and future Oakland Raiders great Fred Biletnikoff. Behind the Tensi to Biletnikoff tandem, and a defense which had four shutouts, Florida State enjoyed its best record up until that time, going 9–1–1.SR/College Football. [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/florida-state/1964-schedule.html "1964 Florida State Seminoles Schedule and Results"]. Retrieved August 19, 2013. Their victories included a blowout win over #5 ranked University of Kentucky and the Seminoles' first win ever against the University of Florida. Tensi capped the season with five touchdown passes and 303 yards in passing (and four interceptions) in Florida State's 36–19 Gator Bowl victory over the University of Oklahoma. He and Biletnikoff were named co-FSU players of the game.
In 1981, Tensi was named to Florida State's athletic Hall of Fame.Seminoles Athletics, "Steve Tensi", Seminoles. com {{cite web |url=http://www.seminoles.com/genrel/tensi_steve00.html |title=Steve Tensi Bio – Florida State University Official Athletic Site |access-date=March 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411192433/http://www.seminoles.com/genrel/tensi_steve00.html |archive-date=April 11, 2013 }} Retrieved March 4, 2013.
Professional career
Tensi was drafted by the NFL's Baltimore Colts and the AFL's San Diego Chargers.{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1965AFLDraft.html|title=1965 AFL Draft|access-date=March 23, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225154441/http://profootballarchives.com/1965AFLDraft.html|archive-date=February 25, 2017}} Rather than go to the Colts—led then by Johnny Unitas—Tensi signed with the Chargers immediately after the Gator Bowl.Tallahassee Democrat, January 3, 1965. Story reprinted on nolesfan.com. Seminoles coach Bill Peterson learned his pro set offense from Chargers' coach Sid Gillman, and the Seminoles used some of the same terminology in their offense as the Chargers as well. However, Tensi played little in San Diego, backing up quarterback John Hadl.{{Cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/09/25/a-break-a-wrench-and-a-march-of-new-quarterbacks|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=A break, a wrench and a march of new quarterbacks|author=Shrake, Edwin|date=September 25, 1967}} Tensi did not throw a single pass in 1965, but threw five touchdown passes against only one interception in limited duty in 1966,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TensSt00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Steve Tensi Stats}} including four touchdown passes in the second half to defeat the Miami Dolphins on October 2, 1966, in his first game in the AFL.{{cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – October 2nd, 1966 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196610020sdg.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=March 23, 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Throwback Game of the Week: MIA @ SD |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2009/10/news-throwback-game-of-the-week-mia-sd/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=March 23, 2024 |language=en |quote=First Time: Oct. 2, 1966 – The expansion Dolphins led 10–6 at halftime in this game played in San Diego. Quarterback Steve Tensi came off the bench for the Chargers in the second half to replace starter John Hadl. He responded by firing four touchdown passes to lead San Diego to a convincing 44–10 victory.}}
The Denver Broncos were in the market for a new quarterback for 1967. In 1966, they started four different quarterbacks and played a total of five. These five signal callers combined for a ratio of 12 touchdown passes to 30 interceptions, and finished last in the American Football League in scoring. On August 15, 1967, shortly before the 1967 season, new coach and general manager Lou Saban traded Denver's #1 draft picks in the 1968 and 1969 common AFL-NFL draft for Tensi.{{cite news |author=Woody Paige |title=No. 13 jersey luckily linked Tensi with "best friend" |publisher=The Denver Post |date=September 11, 2011 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_18870083 |access-date=August 19, 2013}} These proved to be valuable picks for San Diego, becoming the #4 and #9 overall selections respectively.Pro Sports Transactions. [http://www.prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Years/1968.htm "1968 NFL/AFL Common Draft Pick Transactions"]. Tensi started 12 of 14 games for the Broncos in 1967, who finished 3–11 and allowed the most points in the AFL. However, their offensive numbers were an improvement over 1966. According to former Broncos executive Jim Saccomano, Tensi's effectiveness and health in Denver was hamstrung by weak pass protection.Jim Saccomano, "Legend and Legacy: Finding quarterbacks", Denver Broncos News and Blogs. Retrieved May 21, 2015. Available online: http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Legend-and-Legacy-Finding-quarterbacks/b2ffca43-b988-466c-bb59-f4af2794dd9d In 1968, Tensi's football career took a major hit as his collarbone was broken twice—first in a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ersAssociated Press, "Steve Tensi Out Six Weeks", Daytona Beach Morning Journal, September 11, 1968, p. 21. and later in a regular season game. Tensi's injuries helped open the door for rookie Marlin Briscoe to play quarterback for the Broncos and become the first African-American quarterback in modern American pro football history.Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Marlin Briscoe, African American Pioneer". http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2316 . Retrieved August 19, 2013. However, Tensi was back as the starting quarterback for 1969 after Briscoe was traded to Buffalo. He started every game, recorded 1,990 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, but won only 4 of his 12 starts that year.{{cite web |title=Steve Tensi 1969 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TensSt00/gamelog/1969/ |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=March 23, 2024 |language=en}} After the AFL–NFL merger, Pete Liske took over as the starting quarterback in 1970, but it was Tensi who came off the bench in the season-opener to throw the Broncos' first touchdown pass in the NFL in a come-from-behind victory over the Bills.{{cite web |title=Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – September 20th, 1970 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197009200buf.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=March 23, 2024 |language=en}} Tensi's final game was against the Oakland Raiders on November 15, 1970. After the season, Tensi recalled, "The injury affected my shoulder, and I just couldn't throw with strength anymore. I told Lou (Saban) to find someone else. I was retiring."
Comments by football scouts on Tensi late in his career noted his excellent size (at 6'5", he was one of the tallest pro quarterbacks of his day) but gave him mixed reviews in other areas. One scout said, "Tensi has excellent size for a quarterback. He's tall enough to throw over defensive linemen from the pocket. He can set up shorter than most quarterbacks due to his height. He has a very strong arm and can throw long and he also has good accuracy on short routes. He can beat you with the bomb if his protection holds up, but he is not a good scrambler." Another scout said, "Tensi is just fair. He's a big tall guy who can throw the ball but he doesn't have the peripheral vision which allows you to look and pick things out. Other quarterbacks have better clarity of vision as far as seeing people in the secondary."Pro Quarterback magazine (Special Super Bowl Issue), "Steve Tensi, Denver Broncos", February 1971. Reposted at http://www.mmbolding.com/BSR/pq71Tensi.htm .
After his playing career, Tensi remained in football as a coach for a few years. He served as a quarterbacks coach for the Wichita State University Shockers for two seasons. He then worked as receivers coach for the 1974 Chicago Fire of the World Football League.World Football League website. [http://wfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/team_pages_1974/02.php "1974 WFL Team Pages: Chicago Fire"]. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
Professional career statistics
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2"| Legend |
|---|
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="10"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Sacks | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Record|Record as a starter}} | {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} | {{abbr|Y/G|Passing yards per game}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest pass completion}} | {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Sck|Times sacked}} | {{abbr|SckY|Yards lost due to sacks}} |
| 1965 | SD
| 1 || 0 || 0–0–0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1966 | SD
| 14 || 2 || 0–2–0 || 21 || 52 || 40.4 || 405 || 7.8 || 28.9 || 63 || 5 || 1 || 92.2 || 1 || -1 || -1.0 || -1 || 0 || 3 || 37 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1967 | DEN
| 14 || 12 || 3–9–0 || 131 || 325 || 40.3 || 1,915 || 5.9 || 136.8 || 76 || 16 || 17 || 54.8 || 24 || 4 || 0.2 || 13 || 0 || style="background:#cfecec;"|39 || 350 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1968 | DEN
| 7 || 6 || 3–3–0 || 48 || 119 || 40.3 || 709 || 6.0 || 101.3 || 72 || 5 || 8 || 46.5 || 6 || 2 || 0.3 || 2 || 0 || 5 || 42 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1969 | DEN
| 13 || 12 || 4–7–1 || 131 || 286 || 45.8 || 1,990 || 7.0 || 153.1 || 79 || 14 || 12 || 68.1 || 12 || 63 || 5.3 || 17 || 0 || 29 || 208 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1970 | DEN
| 7 || 2 || 0–2–0 || 38 || 80 || 47.5 || 539 || 6.7 || 77.0 || 42 || 3 || 8 || 42.7 || 4 || 14 || 3.5 || 15 || 0 || 6 || 35 | ||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TensSt00.htm Career] || 56 || 34 || 10–23–1 || 369 || 862 || 42.8 || 5,558 || 6.4 || 99.3 || 79 || 43 || 46 || 59.0 || 47 || 82 || 1.7 || 17 || 0 || 82 || 672 |
Personal life
Tensi was born on December 8, 1942, in Cheviot, Ohio. He married his college sweetheart Barbara Jean, whom he had met at freshman orientation at Florida State. He later joined his father-in-law in the construction business in Miami and subsequently moved to a small town in North Carolina.
He died in Boone, North Carolina, on March 15, 2024, at the age of 81.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Charean |title=Former Broncos QB Steve Tensi dies at 81 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/former-broncos-qb-steve-tensi-dies-at-81 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |work=NBC Sports |date=March 18, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=McFadden |first1=Ryan |title=Former Broncos quarterback Steve Tensi dies at 81 |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2024/03/19/broncos-quarterback-steve-tensi-dies/ |access-date=March 23, 2024 |work=The Denver Post |date=March 19, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Villegas |first1=Andrew |title=Broncos' first NFL quarterback Steve Tensi dies at 81 |url=https://www.cpr.org/2024/03/19/broncos-first-nfl-quarterback-steve-tensi-dies-at-81/ |access-date=March 23, 2024 |work=Colorado Public Radio |date=March 19, 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite tweet |last=Stevens |first=Zac |user=ZacStevensDNVR |number=1769822445806964872 |date=March 18, 2024 |title=Former Broncos QB Steve Tensi passed away, the team announced.}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|32em}}
{{Florida State Seminoles quarterback navbox}}
{{Baltimore Colts 1965 draft navbox}}
{{San Diego Chargers 1965 draft navbox}}
{{San Diego Chargers starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Denver Broncos starting quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tensi, Steve}}
Category:Players of American football from Cincinnati
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Elder High School alumni
Category:Florida State Seminoles football players
Category:San Diego Chargers players
Category:Denver Broncos (AFL) players