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Greg Best (American football)

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This article is about the American football player. For the equestrian competitor and coach, see Greg Best.

Greg Best
No. 25, 24
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1960-01-14) January 14, 1960 (age 64)
New Brighton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Blackhawk (Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania)
College:Kansas State
Undrafted:1983
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:20
Games started:0
Fumbles recovered:1
Fumble return yards:94
Touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career Arena League statistics
Receptions:25
Receiving yards:394
Receiving TDs:5
Tackles:24
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Gregory Lee Best (born January 14, 1960) is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns.

Early life

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Best was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania and attended Blackhawk High School in nearby Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.[1] He was named second-team All-Conference in football as a junior and first-team All-Conference his senior year.[2]

College Football

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He matriculated at Kansas State[1] where he walked on to the football team as a wide receiver. He became a four-year starter as a cornerback and kickoff returner,[3] although he redshirted his sophomore season due to injury. As a senior in 1982, Best was named to the All-Big Eight Conference team.[4]

He was invited to play in the Blue–Gray Football Classic all-star game following his senior season in 1982. He caught two interceptions in the game and was named the game's defensive MVP.[2]

Professional Football

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Best went undrafted in the 1983 NFL draft, but was signed shortly after the draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[4] He spent training camp with the team, but was among the final roster cuts. The Steelers re-signed Best after the third game of the 1983 season when Eric Williams was placed on the injured reserve list due to an ankle injury.[5]

He played primarily as a special teamer with the Steelers with occasional reps at safety in passing situations.[6] Best's finest performance as a pro came in week seven of 1983 against the rival Cleveland Browns. In that game Best made three tackles in the kicking game, caused an incompletion with a hit on Ozzie Newsome on defense and returned a fumble 94 yards for the game's final score.[6] That 94-yard fumble recovery return was the longest of the season in the NFL.[7]

Best was once again released by the Steelers prior to the 1984 season. He was picked up by the Browns, for whom he played five games in 1984.[8] He later signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), but the league folded before he had a chance to play. His bad luck continued when he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League only to see that team also fold before he could join them.[8]

Best finished his playing career in 1988 after stints with the Pittsburgh Gladiators and the New York Knights of the Arena Football League.[2]

Post-football career

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Since leaving football, Best has worked as a general contractor.

Personal

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Best married Donna Wickline in 1982.[9] They have since divorced. He remarried Renea Sutch in 1996. He has a son Justin and a daughter Tayler.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Greg Best bio". databaseFootball. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Greg Best bio". Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  3. ^ "College rosters loaded with area football products". The Beaver County Times. August 30, 1982. pp. B4. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Steelers Sign Best, Warman". The Beaver County Times. April 29, 1983. pp. B1. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  5. ^ Cook, Ron (September 20, 1983). "Greg Best Back with Steelers!". The Beaver County Times. pp. B1. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Cook, Ron (October 17, 1983). "Best a beast on kick teams". Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  7. ^ "1983 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  8. ^ a b Glass, Burton (July 1, 1987). "Gladiators sign Russell for quick fix at quarterback". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 19. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  9. ^ "Weddings: Wickline-Best". The Beaver County Times. August 17, 1982. pp. A10. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
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