Steve De Berg struggled to remain a starting quarterback during his career. However, he never gave up. Despite being demoted to back up status a few times during his career, he never stopped trying to be a successful starting quarterback. In 1990, while a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, his perseverance was rewarded.
In 1977, De Berg was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Cowboys had Roger Staubach and Danny White. De Berg never made the team. This was his first experience of rejection in the NFL. Undaunted, De Berg was then signed by the San Francisco 49ers.
De Berg started for the 49ers for two seasons. De Berg struggled during his rookie season. De Berg threw 22 interceptions and only 8 touchdown passes. However, the next year he had made some improvement. De Berg lead the NFL with 347 completions as he completed 60% of his passes. Additionally, he threw for a career high 3,652 yards. However, in his first two seasons the 49ers were 3-23 in games in which he started. Then the 49ers drafted Joe Montana out of Notre Dame. Montana would go on to lead the 49ers to four Super Bowl championships.
From San Francisco, De Berg would become a member of the Denver Broncos. De Berg was a back up in Denver from 1981-83. He was 5-6 as a starter. He threw 22 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. John Elway was drafted before the 1983 season and would go onto play in 5 Super Bowls with Denver. In his final two seasons, Eleay would win two Super Bowls.
Next up were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From 1984-1987, De Berg went 8-26 as a starter. He was replaced by Steve Young in 1986 and Vinnie Testerverde in 1987. From Tampa Bay, De Berg would go to Kansas City, where he would finally experience both individual and team success.
In Kansas City,with De Berg as a starting quarterback, the Chiefs were 11-5 in 1990 and 10-6 in 1991. De Berg started all but one game in those seasons. In 1990, De Berg had his best statistical season as he threw 23 touchdown passes and only 4 interceptions. He also threw for 3,444 yards that season. The Chiefs made the playoffs in both seasons.
In 1990, the Chiefs finished second in the AFC West, and lost the wildcard playoff game to the Miami Dolphins 17-16. De Berg completed 17 of 30 passes for 269 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
1991, the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Raiders in the opening round of the playoffs 10-6. De Berg only attempted 14 passes. He completed 9 passes for only 89 yards. He had one touchdown and one interception. The Chiefs intercepted four of Todd Marinovich's passes. The Chiefs' defense had catapulted Kansas City to the second round of the playoffs.
In the second round, the Buffalo Bills would rout the Chiefs 37-14. De Berg was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a sprained thumb. The Bills would go on to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
De Berg left Kansas City and signed with Tampa Bay for the 1992 season. In 1993, De Berg played for Tampa Bay and Miami. The he retired. He came out of retirement in 1998 and played a half a season as a back up for the Atlanta Falcons. At age 44, he was the oldest quarterback to start an NFL game.
De Berg led the Chiefs to two playoff appearances and one playoff victory. This may seem minor compared to the success of other quarterbacks. However, De Berg's success and the Chief's success during those two seasons shows the importance of perseverance .
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