Hard Working Man Award 2007: Steve Tasker

On Wednesday, December 12, 2007, Hanes Supply, Inc, presented their 2007 Kent Hull – Hard Working Man Award to Steve Tasker, former Buffalo Bill and current CBS Sports Commentator at Fontana’s Banquet Center in Western New York. The over three hundred people who attended, enjoyed a wonderful dinner and a chance to hear former Buffalo Bills roast and toast their former team mate Steve Tasker. Our special roasters included Kent Hull, Jim Kelly, Marv Levy and Tom Hallick. The Live, Silent and Chinese Auctions made the evening more exciting while helping to raise money for great local charities.

Ted Hanes
Hanes Supply, Inc.

TOP 17 REASONS (8 + 9 = 17) WHY STEVE TASKER IS SPECTACULAR

No. 17 We are all glad that Steve got out of Dodge – Dodge City Community College. While at North Western, Steve was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Being part of a team that lost 34 straight games, it was no wonder that a “Toga Party” or two were needed!.

No. 16 “Houston, we do not have a problem” Thank you for trying to sneak Steve through waivers. Thank Joe Faragalli, Marv Levy and Bill Polian for their astute special waiver pick up.

No. 15 Something tells us that you are not in Kansas anymore. You were off to see the Wizard, the “Wizard of Coaching”. We know Marv had his Wizard on “Special Teams”.

No. 14 Enquiring minds need to know, “How you timed your perfect hits as a gunner”. Our opinion is TGFSI. Thank God For Steve’s Intensity.

No. 13 In 1988, Dr. Richard Weiss performed surgery on Steve’s left knee by adding leg muscle. Steve was faster, stronger and could jump higher. The cadaver’s identity can finally be revealed. Steve Austin – The Six Million Dollar Man was the donor. Body parts cryogenically saved from the mid 1970’s was not a bad re-run.

No. 12 Steve took up golfing in 1987 after a “short” career as a caddy. His role model was Seve Ballesteros, the famous Spanish golfer. Seve became: Steve’s nickname. Seve hits the ball a ton and supports Jim’s, Kent’s, the March of Dimes and other charity golf events.

No. 11 New Jersey has the Boss. Florida has the Oranges. Tennessee has the Hillbillies. Texas has the Oil and Cowboys. California has the fruits and nuts. Minnesota has the Twin Cities and a few Wildcats. But… Western NY has Steve, Jim, Marv and now Thurman. Thank you guys for making Buffalo your home.

No. 10 Uncle Albert Tasker and nephew “Stevie” Neutron taught P = M · V. Momentum = Mass times Velocity We all know Steve had great velocity with constant mass. One of the greatest momentum swings in Bills history was Steve’s return of a short kickoff during the AFC Divisional Playoff on January 15th, 1994 against the Raiders. In facts, Bills “Special Teams” Coach Bruce DeHaven highlighted (10) major momentum swings by Steve on “Special Teams” as a Buffalo Bill.

No. 9 Tasker, Steve, Tasker. Rolled a 7 and 11. 7 for Seven Pro Bowl appearances. 7 for 7 Steps to the Punter for 7 career Blocked Punts. 11 for 11 Full Seasons as a Buffalo Bill. The Bills were dealt a “Pair of Aces” in 1986: Marv Levy and Steve Tasker. The pair was held together and folded together after 11-1/2 years. The Bills were re-dealt an “Ace in the Hole” with Marv back as General Manager.

No. 8 We agree with Jim Kelly that if Steve was a full time wide receiver, his receiving numbers would have been comparable to Steve Largent. Steve is truly a Multi-Tasker.

No. 7 Mr. Ralph Wilson warmly refers to his “Super Bowl Run teams” as “Silver Medalist” for four straight years. Steve had four gold’s as a high school senior. Eight in the Medalist column is talking proud.

No. 6 In 1993, the only “Special Team” player ever to be selected as “The Pro Bowl MVP” and the only Buffalo Bill to be selected to the 26-member “All NFL Team”.

No. 5 Steve, if you really wanted a Dr. Pepper after your last game, you could have waited to get back to Buffalo with all your fans and friends. Here – Here to Steve: “A Tisker”, “A Tasker”. This is the most Dr. Pepper drank at once since Forest Gump was at the White House!

No. 4 Steve had a chosen career path after his 13 years in the NFL, CBS Sports Commentator and Used Car Salesman! Marv sells a few cars too!

No. 3 Marv Levy always referred to the “Kicking Teams” during his illustrious coaching career. That changed on Sept 9th, 2007 when Steve became the 24th person enshrined on the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame. Marv had a special player for his “Special Teams” – Steve Jay Tasker.

No. 2 At 1.73 & 83, meters and kilograms. Excuse us: 183 Lbs and 5’9″. Pound for pound Steve was simply the best “Special Teams” player ever in the NFL. Whereas, Steve entered the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 2007. We see Canton in your future.

No. 1 Steve, at your retirement press conference, you stated: “There were three things I wanted to accomplish as a professional athlete, ‘I wanted to be a guy my teammates loved to have on their team’, ‘I wanted to be a guy who my opponents wished they had on their team’ and ‘I wanted to be a guy that the fans loved to watch!'” Without a doubt, you achieved this and much more, for your family, coach, coaches, teammates, friends and fans. God Bless you and your family.

Bill Hanes
Hanes Supply, Inc.