The Everyday Champion
Former Auburn University All-American • 12 years in the NFL (49ers, Chiefs)
3 time Super Bowl Champion • 2 time Pro Bowl Selection
4 time All-Madden Team
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Three-Time Super Bowl Champion Steve Wallace is an everyday Joe who worked his way to greatness – one play at a time. Now, he motivates leaders, professional athletes and students to succeed in the same workman-like fashion – One Play at a Time!
As chronicled in the best-selling book, “The Blind Side,” (and Academy Award-winning movie of the same name) Steve revolutionized the position of left tackle in the NFL. The Atlanta, GA native worked hard in his behind the scenes role but ultimately found himself in a position where he had to step up and be a leader. When the challenge came, Wallace excelled with a common sense, no frills approach to winning and became instrumental in achieving success for both himself and his teammates. It’s winning formula he now shares with others.
Because of his tenacity, the NFL standout became a captain for the repeat Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers where he toiled along-side such greats as Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice and running back Roger Craig. His job was protecting the blind side of legendary quarterbacks Steve Young and Joe Montana – and he did it well.
Steve Wallace helped revolutionize the game and the left tackle position by doggedly protecting the blind side of the team’s most valuable asset – its high-priced quarterback. In his unglamorous job of protecting the team’s most glamorous position, Steve left his mark on the NFL – not to mention opposing teams. The left tackle position is now often one of the higher paid players on the team – even though no one knows their names. No one knew Steve’s either, but they do now…
- Former NFL player, coach, and broadcaster, John Madden described Steve Wallace as “one of the best tackles in all of football.” The coach answered the call of video-crazed football fanatics everywhere by immortalizing Steve’s number 74 in his video sensation, Madden.
- Legendary football guru, Bill Walsh (Steve’s coach on the 49ers) gave Steve his highest compliment given to player for their gridiron doggedness and determination saying, “Steve Wallace was a nasty football player!”
- Steve Wallace played in more playoff games than any other tackle in the history of the NFL!
- Steve Wallace paved the way for the highly-skilled, highly-coveted and highly-paid left tackle of today’s NFL. Players like Michael Oher, who is depicted in the Oscar winning movie The Blindside, owe their lot to Steve’s history-making play.
- Steve Wallace is recognized as one of the NFL’s best players. He has 3 Super Bowl rings, Pro Bowl appearances and All-Pro status to prove it!
Steve approached the game of football much like he did the game of life…..one game at a time…. one play at a time. His blue-collar attitude started at Auburn University where he was the lead blocker for Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson. It continued into the NFL where he blocked against greats like Lawrence Taylor and Chris Doleman.
One Play at a Time
Today, through his powerful and motivating talks, Steve inspires professional athletes and students to become champions in their everyday lives – ONE PLAY AT A TIME. His TRUE PASSION AND GIFT is motivating sports teams and student leaders in college, high school and the professional ranks. Steve seeks out teams, clubs, organizations, campus groups and student bodies that want to come together to achieve more. Steve is a powerful inspiration for teams seeking motivation and FOCUS to begin their season, make a drive to the post season, and play at their highest level during the post-season – on and off the field.
“As The Everyday Champion I am basically you. I am a person that is real, that you can touch. In my own field of endeavor I became a champion and so can you. We all start unknown and most of us stay that way. I am the person to SHOW you that you can be your best without being a superstar.”
Because Steve really believes that ‘one play at a time, one day at a time’ is the key to success, he wants to know at the end of every talk… “What’s your next play?”
More about Steve
“I am the everyday guy that has to continue to fight to be successful.”
Steve Wallace recalls himself as a “knucklehead” growing up. Now, the former National Football League lineman, two-time NFL pro bowler and three-time Super Bowl winner is a coach, speaker and author.
Those successes came with hard work. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Wallace is a Chamblee High School graduate who lettered in football, basketball and track. It was early in his life that he listened to a speaker talk about “trying” to do one’s best in everything they attempt. He made a decision that day to try to do his best in every aspect of his life and to always take one nugget from a speaker that he could apply to himself.
He began concentrating on his education realizing that “with education there are no limitations” resulting in improvements in his grades, football skills and numerous areas of his life. The result? High school football and basketball honors as well as having 57 leading colleges – including Florida State, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Auburn University and University of Wisconsin – attempt to recruit him.
Wallace accepted an athletic scholarship from Auburn and became a starter at 17 years old earning Lineman of the Year, All-South-Eastern Conference, All-Legends Team and Auburn’s Team of the Century – all NCAA awards. During that time he was a vital blocker for Bo Jackson during his Heisman Trophy winning year. In 1986, he graduated with a degree in Secondary Education in Mathematics and Psychology.
That same year he was drafted in the 4th round by the San Francisco 49ers playing with the team for 11 years. He played one season for the Kansas City Chiefs and earned such awards as 1st Team All-Pro, All-Madden and Community & Charity Player of the Year. As a pro with the 49ers he won 10 divisional championships and in only his third season he experienced his first (out of three) Super Bowl World Championship.
Wallace is now the owner of 10-year-old 3Rings Construction Company and is a Certified Homebuilder and Licensed Cabo Builder. He’s also a sought-after celebrity speaker who specializes in young sports teams, student athletes and student leaders. His home life is just as full as a husband to Vassar Wallace and father to their four children: Elle, Xaia, Steven Jr. and Keely.
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