Stephen Michael Tensi was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the American Football League and the National Football League.
20 Facts About Steve Tensi
1.
2.
Steve Tensi played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.
3.
Steve Tensi played professionally for the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos.
4.
Steve 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.
5.
In 1981, Steve Tensi was named to Florida State's athletic Hall of Fame.
6.
Steve Tensi was drafted by the NFL's Baltimore Colts and the AFL's San Diego Chargers.
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However, Steve Tensi played little in San Diego, backing up quarterback John Hadl.
8.
Steve Tensi did not throw a single pass in 1965, but threw five touchdown passes against only one interception in limited duty in 1966, including four touchdown passes in the second half to defeat the Miami Dolphins on October 2,1966, in his first game in the AFL.
9.
Steve 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.
10.
However, Steve Tensi was back as the starting quarterback for 1969 after Briscoe was traded to Buffalo.
11.
Steve Tensi started every game, recorded 1,990 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, but won only 4 of his 12 starts that year.
12.
Steve Tensi can set up shorter than most quarterbacks due to his height.
13.
Steve Tensi has a very strong arm and can throw long and he has good accuracy on short routes.
14.
Steve Tensi can beat you with the bomb if his protection holds up, but he is not a good scrambler.
15.
Steve Tensi served as a quarterbacks coach for the Wichita State University Shockers for two seasons.
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Steve Tensi then worked as receivers coach for the 1974 Chicago Fire of the World Football League.
17.
Steve Tensi was born on December 8,1942, in Cheviot, Ohio.
18.
Steve Tensi married his college sweetheart Barbara Jean, whom he had met at freshman orientation at Florida State.
19.
Steve Tensi later joined his father-in-law in the construction business in Miami and subsequently moved to a small town in North Carolina.
20.
Steve Tensi died in Boone, North Carolina, on March 15,2024, at the age of 81.