Steve Hendrickson

Former National Football League player

What is Steve Hendrickson known for?

Steve Hendrickson, a notable alumni of Napa High School in Napa, California, was a renowned American professional football player who made a significant mark in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 30, 1966, in Richmond, California, Hendrickson was an outstanding varsity player throughout his high school years. His number 30 jersey is the only one ever retired by Napa High School, marking his significant contributions to the school.

He later attended the University of California, where he played college football for the California Golden Bears. Hendrickson was named the defensive player of the game at the 1988 Blue–Gray Football Classic, which showcased his talents to the NFL scouts. Indeed, he was drafted in the sixth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

During his seven-season NFL career, Hendrickson played for multiple teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Notably, he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers when they secured their fourth Super Bowl title at Super Bowl XXIV in 1990. Despite his relatively small stature for a footballer, Hendrickson demonstrated versatility by playing several positions, even being used by the Chargers as a short-yardage, goal-line running back, despite primarily being a defensive player.

Off the field, Hendrickson lived in Napa, California, with his two children, Courtney and Kyle, who graduated from the University of California and Fresno State University, respectively. Facing the impact of several concussions sustained during his playing years, he became part of a group of former NFL players suffering from trauma-related brain injuries. Despite these health challenges, Hendrickson's injuries were determined as "non-football related" by the NFL pension plan's board, making him ineligible for enhanced benefits.

You can find out more about Hendrickson's career stats from his NFL profile or his Pro Football Reference page.