Stein, Bob

Robert Allen Stein

After an All-America career at the University of Minnesota and a seven-year NFL career, Stein was the first general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 22, 1948

Career Highlights:
Stein played at Minnesota for three seasons and was consensus first team All-American at defensive end in 1967 and 1968. In 1967, the Gophers finished tied with Indiana for the Big Ten title with a conference record of 6-1-0. Despite defeating the Hoosiers, 33-7, the Gophers did not play in the Rose Bowl because of the Big Ten's tiebreaking rule: Minnesota had played in the Rose Bowl more recently. The Gophers finished the season with a record of 8-2-0 and were ranked No. 14 in the United Press poll.

In the opening game of the 1968 season, the Gophers faced defending national champion USC and their star running back, O.J. Simpson. Although no one ever claimed responsibility, it was arranged that the grass would not be cut for two weeks before the game and the sprinklers somehow got left on for a day or two before the game. Stein later said of Simpson's attempts to use his speed on the soggy field, "He was slowed down to everyone else's speed.'' The Gophers still lost the game, 29-20, and no one ever admitted to the game-field shenanigans. Minnesota finished the season ranked No. 18 in the UP poll with a record of 6-4-0 (5-2-0, fourth in the Big Ten).

After graduating in 1969, Stein was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (126th overall) of the NFL Draft. That season, Stein played in all 14 regular season games as the Chiefs had a record of 11-3-0 and won the AFL West. After winning their first two playoff games, the Chiefs played in the final AFL-NFL Championship game before the leagues merged. It was the last game played by an AFL team and the Chiefs wore patches on their uniforms commemorating the ten-year existence of the league. The Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7, and gave the AFL its last moment of glory.

Stein played three more seasons with the Chiefs, who only made the playoffs once in that span. In 1971, they finished 11-3-1, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Miami Dolphins, 27-24 in overtime. In 1973, Stein moved to the Los Angeles Rams and played two seasons for the franchise. The Rams had a combined record of 22-6-0 and won the NFC West both years, but did not reach the Super Bowl during Stein's tenure with the team. In 1975, Bob played three games for the San Diego Chargers before finishing the season with his hometown Minnesota Vikings. He played nine games for the Vikings, who won the NFC Central with a record of 12-2-0, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. Stein retired following the 1975 season after playing in 89 career NFL games.

Origin:
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Career Dates:
Stein played at the University of Minnesota from 1966-1968. He then played linebacker in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1969-1972, with the Los Angeles Rams from 1973-1974, the San Diego Chargers in 1975, and for the Minnesota Vikings in 1975.

Physical description:
6'3", 235 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NFL:
Games: 89
Interceptions: 2
Fumble recoveries: 1

Kick returns: 3
Kick returns yards: 23
Kick return average: 7.7

Field goals made: 0
Field goals attempted: 1

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