Steve Emtman the Washington Huskies...

April 16, 1970, in Spokane, Washington, marked the birth of Steven "Steve" Emtman, a dominant defensive force who starred for the Washington Huskies before a promising NFL career was cut short by injuries. His intense focus and relentless motor made him a terror for opposing offenses.  

✦ College Career

Steve Emtman's career at the University of Washington from 1989 to 1991 was nothing short of spectacular. After redshirting his freshman year, he quickly became a pivotal player on the defensive line. By his sophomore season, Emtman earned Second-Team All-American honors and was named co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10. His junior year was legendary, as he swept the Lombardi and Outland trophies and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. In his final collegiate game, he was named co-MVP of the Rose Bowl, leading the undefeated Huskies to a national championship victory over Michigan. His collegiate stats included 14 sacks and 134 tackles, 36 for loss. He was a three-time All-Conference selection and a unanimous All-American.  

✦ Road to the Pro Game

Emtman's dominant college performance made him the coveted first overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Expectations were sky-high for the powerful defensive tackle. His rookie season showed flashes of brilliance, including a memorable 90-yard interception return for a touchdown. However, his professional career was unfortunately plagued by a series of debilitating injuries, including knee and neck issues, which limited him to just six seasons with the Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins.  

✦ Football Legacy

Despite his injury-shortened NFL career, Steve Emtman's impact on football, particularly at the collegiate level, remains significant. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in Washington Huskies history, anchoring a defense that led them to a national championship. His rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism made him virtually unblockable. Emtman's dominant junior season, marked by multiple prestigious awards and a high Heisman finish for a defensive lineman, is still celebrated.  

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

Steve Emtman's impressive list of accolades includes being a Second-Team All-American (1990) and a Unanimous All-American (1991). In 1991, he won the Lombardi Award, the Outland Trophy, and was named UPI Lineman of the Year and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (twice, 1990 & 1991). He finished fourth in the 1991 Heisman Trophy voting and was named co-MVP of the 1992 Rose Bowl. Emtman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. In his college career, he recorded 14 sacks, 134 tackles, and 36 tackles for loss. In his six NFL seasons, he accumulated 8 sacks, 134 combined tackles, and 1 interception for a touchdown in 50 games. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 1992.