The Legend Of Special Teams Icon Steve Tasker

It has been thirteen years since Steve Tasker hung up his cleats and walked into retirement.  Tasker's role for the Buffalo Bills is a position of the past, a pure special teams gunner. 

In 1985, the Houston Oilers selected Tasker in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. The 5-9', 183 pound wide receiver was claimed off waivers by Buffalo in 1986 after playing sparingly in Houston.  

Tasker was never credited as a pivotal part of Buffalo's success during the eighties and nineties, but should be recognized as one of the best team players of all time.  The Northwestern grad embraced a blue collar gunner position, threw his body on the line, and provided a great presence in the locker room.

Currently a commentator for CBS, he was selected to the Pro Bowl an amazing seven times from 1987 until 1995 for his fearless special teams play.  In 1993, Tasker was named the MVP of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. The Associated Press tabbed him as an All-Pro selection three times and he was named as one of the Top 50 Buffalo Bill's of all time.  

To give an idea of his iconic presence as a gunner, one needs to simply look at his mediocre statistics.  During his career, Tasker only caught 51 passes for 779 yards, and just over 1,200 in return yards. Tasker provided a spark with his momentum changing forced fumbles, tackles and blocked kicks. 

The debate will continue regarding his potential selection into the NFL Hall of Fame.  It would be truly remarkable for a special teams gunner that only saw the field a handful of plays every game to receive such an honor.  Current players and fans should look at this video and remember the legend of Steve Tasker.