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Joe Steffy Obituary
Army announced that Steffy died at St. Luke's-Cornwall Hospital's Newburgh campus on Saturday. He had dealt heart problems in recent years.
Steffy played both offense and defense on Army's 1945 and 1946 undefeated teams under coach Earl "Red" Blaik. Steffy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
He went to high school in Chattanooga, Tenn., and attend the University of Tennessee. In 1944, he played on a Volunteers team that went to the Rose Bowl.
He left Tennessee the next season for West Point and helped Army win its second consecutive national title in 1945.
Steffy served in the Korean War and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart after being wounded in action.
He settled in Newburgh after his service commitment, was an assistant coach under Blaik, and turned down a tryout with the Dallas Texans in the 1950s, opting instead to sell used cars.
Until health problems in recent years, Steffy was a fixture at Army practices and home games. His No. 61 was retired in 2009, becoming the fourth Army player to have that honor. The others are Davis, Blanchard and Pete Dawkins, the 1958 Heisman winner.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
7 Entries
Edmund Grant
November 10, 2013
I was saddened to read recently that Joe Steffy had passed on from us in 2011, as I had regettably missed the news item on it at the time.
A good man and always a true gentleman was Joe, and I offer my belated condolences to his family and friends.
My connection to him is that I knew in years past that he was very close and supportive to Glenn Davis, especially during Glenn's final days, and that his kindness was deeply appreciated by the Davis family.
Joe was also very kind and personally gracious to me at the Glenn Davis funeral at West Point in March of 2005 and I have thought of him often since.
May Joe forever rest in eternal peace, and please say hello to Glenn for us.
Ed Grant, Norristown, Pa.
May 26, 2011
Mr. Steffy family so sorry to hear of a loved one passing ,but know that Gd is near to those who are broken at heart .My deepest condolence
May 25, 2011
GodBless you
you will be in
our hearts'
R Golay
May 24, 2011
To the the family of Joe Steffy - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
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Joe F
May 24, 2011
Joe Steffy was one of the finest to ever play the game. The Black Knights of the Hudson were the greatest team of that era. More importantly, heartfelt thanks to this brave American for his service to our nation.
Jim
May 24, 2011
Joe was quite the guy, one of the best college football players of all time AND a national HERO serving his country.
God rest you soul , Joe
May 24, 2011
Sorry for your loss.You will find comfort in Gods word. He promise to swallow up death and to make earth a paradise where there will be no suffering.
Lynette & Daniel
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