Steve Grogan was a professional football player who grew up in Ottawa where he led the Ottawa High School Cyclones to second place in state football playoffs and first in basketball and track in 1970-71.
After graduating from Kansas State University, he was a fifth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1975 as its quarterback. During his career with the Pats, he either quarterbacked the team or played a strong role in the team’s offensive strategy. He was quarterback for the Patriots in 1986 when the team played the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl. Grogan hoped to reach 25,000 yards passing during the 1989 season–his 15th in the National Football League.
He earned the Patriots’ inspiration and leadership award in 1975 and ’76. In 1976 and ’77 he was the Patriots’ most valuable offensive player. Grogan also led his team in civic involvement. He was sports ambassador for Kansas Easter Seals Society in 1976, and was chairman of Kansas Easter Seals Society in 1978. Steve Grogan stadium at Ottawa High School is named in his honor. It is amazing how much sport has changed over the years and the many players who have had their shot at becoming sporting legends, from hearing it on the radio to watching it online and placing bets with sites like FanDuel, sport is a constant in so many peoples lives and means a great deal.
Diane Yeamans, My Ottawa Book, 1989