Former Eagle, Steagle Steele dead at 89
SEATTLE (AP) – Ernie Steele, who played in two NFL championship games for the Philadelphia Eagles, is dead at age 88. Steele, who during World War II played for a combination of the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers known as the “Steagles,” died Monday at his home.
A graduate of Highline High School in Seattle, he played for the University of Washington from 1939-41.
In 1940, against Washington State, he scored on 87-yard kickoff and 83-yard punt returns. In his first NFL game, he had an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Steele was drafted in the 10th round and spent seven seasons in Philadelphia, including 1943 with the Steagles, formed because of the player shortage during the war.
In 1947 Steele played in the NFL championship game, which the Eagles lost 28-21 to the Chicago Cardinals. A year later, in a title rematch against the Cardinals, Steele made a key interception on his own 15-yard line – his last play as a pro – to preserve a 7-0 victory for the Eagles.
In his pro career he scored 19 touchdowns, rushed for 1,337 yards, caught 31 passes, returned 94 punts and kickoffs. On defense, he intercepted 24 passes and recovered 12 fumbles. He also was part of the first pro football team to fly to a game on an airplane, a C-119 Flying Boxcar.
For 50 years, Steele was the owner of one of the Seattle’s first sports bars. In 1964, he ran unsuccessfully for King County sheriff.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Josephine, five children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A funeral service was set for Friday.