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Steve Hirsch
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Steven Wendell Hirsch (born May 15, 1962) is an American former professional football defensive back who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) as a replacement during the 1987 player's strike.[1] He played college football at Northern Illinois University.[2][3]
Key Information
References
[edit]- ^ "NFL Strike Rosters - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "Steve Hirsch Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "Steve Hirsch, DB". Nfl.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
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Steve Hirsch
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Early life and education
Early years
Steven Hirsch was born on May 25, 1961, in Lyndhurst, Ohio.[4] He grew up in a family involved in the adult entertainment industry; his father, Fred Hirsch, was a former stockbroker who founded Sovereign News Corp. in the 1970s, becoming a major distributor of adult films and magazines.[4] The family relocated to California in 1975.[4]High school
Hirsch attended El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California, graduating in 1979 as co-captain of the wrestling team.[4]College
Hirsch took business and journalism courses for two years at California State University, Northridge, and the University of California, Los Angeles.[4] During this time and in the early 1980s, he worked various jobs at his father's company and as a national sales representative for CalVista Video.[4]College career
Enrollment and role at Northern Illinois
Steve Hirsch enrolled at Northern Illinois University in 1980 as a freshman defensive back, transitioning from his high school career at Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.[1][5] Born in 1962, Hirsch joined the Huskies program amid the Mid-American Conference's competitive environment, where he began adapting to the physical and strategic demands of Division I football.[2] Throughout his college tenure from 1980 to 1983, Hirsch served as a defensive back on the Northern Illinois football roster, earning a varsity letter each year for his contributions to the team's secondary.[2] His role involved covering receivers, providing pass defense, and supporting run support, consistent with the responsibilities of a DB in the Huskies' defensive scheme during that era.[6] Hirsch played under head coach Bill Mallory, who led the program from 1980 to 1983 and guided the team to notable success, including a Mid-American Conference championship in 1983. Defensive coordinator Joe Novak also oversaw the unit during Hirsch's early years, contributing to his development in college-level play as the Huskies navigated the rigors of conference competition.[7] While balancing football commitments, Hirsch pursued his academic studies at Northern Illinois, a member institution of the Mid-American Conference known for integrating student-athlete development.[2]Key performances and team contributions
During his junior and senior seasons at Northern Illinois University (NIU) from 1982 to 1983, Steve Hirsch emerged as a vital defensive back for the Huskies, contributing significantly to the team's defensive resurgence in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 1982, Hirsch played a key role in a balanced defense that helped NIU achieve a 5-5 overall record and a 5-4 MAC mark, tying for fifth place; his coverage responsibilities were instrumental in low-scoring victories, including a 12-7 win over Miami (OH) and a 36-0 shutout against Ohio, where the Huskies limited opponents to just 136 total points allowed for the season.[8] Hirsch's senior year in 1983 marked his most impactful contributions, as he served as team captain and earned second-team All-MAC honors for his defensive play. The Huskies posted a 10-2 record, captured the MAC championship with an 8-1 conference mark, and defeated Cal State Fullerton 20-13 in the California Bowl, allowing only 190 points across 12 games—a marked improvement from the 217 points surrendered in 1981.[8][9][6] Hirsch was named MAC Player of the Week for his standout performance in a 17-0 shutout victory over Miami (OH) on October 29, where his coverage in the secondary helped stifle the RedHawks' passing attack; he also contributed to defensive stands in wins against Kent State (38-7), Ohio (41-17), Toledo (26-10), and Western Michigan (27-3).[8][9][6] In addition to his on-field efforts, Hirsch's leadership as captain bolstered the Huskies' defensive schemes, emphasizing zone coverage and run support that propelled the team to its first bowl appearance since 1968 and a No. 30 national ranking. Although specific individual defensive statistics like tackles or interceptions are not comprehensively documented in team records, his consistent starts and special teams contributions—such as four punt returns for 77 yards in 1983—underscored his versatility. Following the 1983 season, Hirsch's college performance positioned him for professional opportunities, though he went undrafted in the 1984 NFL Draft.[8][9][2]Professional career
Canadian Football League stint
Following his college career at Northern Illinois, Steve Hirsch signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1985 as a defensive halfback.[2] He appeared in one game during the 1985 season, recording one interception for zero yards.[10][5] Hirsch was released by the Rough Riders later that year.[2] This brief CFL stint marked his initial foray into professional football before he pursued opportunities in the National Football League.[2]National Football League appearance
During the 1987 NFL players' strike, which began on September 22 and prompted teams to field replacement players for Weeks 4 through 6 of the season, Steve Hirsch signed with the Detroit Lions as a defensive back on their strike roster.[11][12] Hirsch, who wore number 42, appeared in three games for the Lions during this period, starting one as a replacement amid the league-wide labor dispute that saw non-union players fill rosters to continue play.[1][13] In limited action, he recorded no tackles or interceptions.[1] The strike officially ended on October 15, 1987, but due to an owners' deadline, replacement players were used for Week 6; regular players returned for Week 7 games beginning October 25, after which replacement rosters were disbanded, concluding Hirsch's brief NFL tenure without further appearances.[11]Post-football life
Career in logistics
After concluding his professional football career in 1987, Steve Hirsch transitioned into the logistics and freight sector.[1][3] Hirsch has worked as a terminal manager at Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., a major less-than-truckload freight carrier, in the Greater Chicago Area since 1997.[14][3] In this role, he oversees terminal operations, including managing employee concerns related to equipment safety and compliance.[14]Residence and current activities
As of November 2025, Steve Hirsch is 63 years old.[1] Following his time in professional football, he established a stable career in logistics as the foundation for his ongoing professional life. Hirsch maintains a low-profile existence, with no publicly documented details on family life, hobbies, or specific community involvement beyond his professional commitments.References
- https://en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org/wiki/1980_Northern_Illinois_Huskies_football_team