Former OU football All-American Steve Zabel died this week at age 78, the school confirmed on Friday, June 26.
Zabel was a rare two-way star in college football during his time with the Sooners (1967-69).
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In 1968, OU football coach Chuck Fairbanks made a choice that would dramatically change tight end Zabel’s career.
The Sooners started off slow despite a No. 5 preseason ranking, with a blowout loss to Notre Dame in the season opener and a loss to Texas two weeks later. His defense was struggling, so Fairbanks went to Zabel with a new challenge — he wanted him to play tight
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