Hall of Fame
Steve Meilinger came to FUMA for his senior year and was voted Fork Union's football player of the year from a team that lost only one game. While he remained an honor roll student, Meilinger won letters in football, basketball and track. He was also named to the 1st Team All-State Military Football League.
At Fork Union high pressure recruiting caught up with Meilinger. He had offers from 36 different schools, but finally decided to play at the University of Kentucky, where he was coached by Bear Bryant.
Undoubtedly, he ranked as one of the greatest collegiate football players ever. He played both offense and defense at eight different positions. After his sophomore year, he made the All-SEC Team and was named All-American by the N.E.A. At the end of his junior year, he was the team's leading scorer and named to almost everyone's All-American Team as an end. He was also chosen as the quarterback on the All-SEC Team. In his senior year he made virtually every All-American Team and was chosen to play in the East-West Shrine Game, The Hula Bowl and the College All-Star Game.
In 1954 he was a 1st round draft pick of the Washington Redskins, but due to his enlistment in the Army he didn't join the team until 1956. Starting in 1958 he played fro three years with Coach Vince Lombardi in Green Bay.
Since his playing days, Meilinger has been selected to the All-Time SEC Team for the years 1950 to 1974. Kentucky has retired his jersey The Lehigh Valley has named him to its Hall of Fame.
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