The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with Steve Worster
05.17.2003 | Football
One of the original members of Darrell Royal's "wishbone" offense, Steve Worster was a two-time All-America (1969, '70) and three-time consensus All-Southwest Conference selection during his Longhorns career. Worster, who finished fourth in the 1970 Heisman Trophy balloting, helped lead UT to a pair of National Championships ('69, '70) and a record of 30-2-1 during his three-year career, including 30 victories in a row from 1968-70. He finished his career with 2,353 yards and 36 touchdowns (216 points) on 457 carries and registered 10 100-yard performances. The Bridge City native ranks third on UT's all-time rushing TDs chart, seventh in 100-yard games and points and 10th on the career rushing list. A 1992 inductee into the Longhorn Hall of Honor, Worster ran for 282 yards and a score on 46 attempts in helping UT win 2-of-3 Cotton Bowl Classics. He was tabbed the Most Valuable Offensive Player in the 1970 Classic after rushing for 155 yards on just 20 carries (7.8 avg.) in the top-ranked Longhorns' 21-17 victory against No. 2 Notre Dame. Three weeks ago, he was recognized for his performances by being inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. This week, Worster took some time to talk with about his induction into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, his UT career, and the job Mack Brown has done in his five seasons at UT.
What you are up to these days? Not too much really. I'm semi-retired and have some rental properties and investments. I'm just taking it easy, enjoying life and enjoying my kids. I have a 26-year-old son (Scott) and a 24-year-old daughter (Erin). They drew me back home. Ironically enough, my ex-wife remarried a friend of mine from Orange and brought the kids back to my original stomping grounds. It wasn't long before I followed them down here and it was the best thing I ever did. I guess you could say I'm back on the bayous.
Can you talk about your recent induction into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame? It was wonderful in a nutshell. As usual, it was first class all the way, like the Cotton Bowl has always been. The enjoyment was definitely different this time to say the least. It was a different type of enjoyment because I had my children and family and friends with me. I was able to participate in a lot of the festivities this time. In the past, I wasn't able to be a part of those because I was playing in the game. We had a great time. I guess you could say it was closure on my career. So much happened the last four to six months, starting with the notification from the Cotton Bowl in January. Then it got crazy. Sports Illustrated called me for a 'Where Are They Now' piece and ESPN Radio contacted me a couple days later. The recognition I received around here was unbelievable. It brought everything back and was something I hadn't thought about for years and years. It was brought back to me and really special to share with my family.
How exciting was it to reunite with the original "Wishbone" backfield of yourself, Bill Bradley, Chris Gilbert and Ted Koy in March at the annual Letterwinner's Roundup? I don't think it was the first time we'd all been together since playing, but I know it was the first time we got together and posed for a picture and thought about the fact we were part of of the original 'Wishbone.' Now that I think about it, it may have been the first time we all were together. It was such a great time to spend time with such wonderful people. Our team revolved around character and we had a tremendous amount of it. When we get together at that function every year, I am tickled to death to be around those guys again.
What are some of the top memories that stand out in your mind from your UT career? If you really want to start defining my career, one of the things that really sticks out in my mind is when I was the Offensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl in my junior year. It was a real punishing football game where we just grinded it out. My performance was because of the linemen and the rest of my teammates. When I watch film of the game, I just am tickled to death because that was my type of football. It was north and south, not east and west, and three or four yards play after play. It was like Coach Royal said and that's you line up your best 11 and we'll line up our best 11. That game really exemplified Texas football at that time.
What were some of the things that allowed you and your teammates to be so successful in your three years? The class and character of the people on the team. We had phenomenal athletes and coaches, an unbelievable program and a lot of winners on our team. That's what stands out to me more today than anything else because it's happening again. One of the reasons UT is so successful now is because Coach Brown is bringing back character into the program. His players have it when they arrive because it's something you cannot develop. That's exactly what we had in the past.
Why did you choose The University of Texas? There were a number of things, but above all, it didn't hurt that it was in Austin. It was the first time I'd been anywhere that didn't have mosquitoes or swamps. When I visited, I had a wonderful time and knew the the school was first class. The final decision evolved around Coach Royal. I was looking at some different schools, like Texas, Oklahoma and LSU among others, and he asked me where I planned on living when I graduated from college. I thought about it for a minute and said 'Texas I guess' and he said 'Then why wouldn't you go to The University of Texas?' That sure was a good point. It was the most important thing anyone said to me.
Can you talk about what made Coach Royal such a great leader? It all started with where he came from, which was very similar to the players he coached. He carried so many philosophies on life that were very honest and straight-forward. I always felt he was speaking to me directly and it was the truth. What he said, he did. There were no games or tricks with him. He really made the transition from high school to college so easy. That's such a major deal, especially when you are from a small town like myself. He understood who we were and where we came from and treated us honestly. That was important and what made him so successful.
How exciting has it been to see the program continue its success into the 21st century? It just tickles us all and we're excited about it. We're being able to meet some of the players Coach Brown has brought in and some of the guys who have graduated recently. It makes us feel really good because we are seeing things about Texas that exemplifies the program. The program is made up of great strength and character, just like it was back when I played.
Why is being a Longhorn so special? I can't say enough, and ironically in the past six months, it's made me that much more aware of it. People have talked to me about things that we did that I really hadn't thought that much about. It's fascinating when you start thinking about what we accomplished as a team. What we did was very special and we have a place in the history of The University of Texas. I just don't think that's really impacted me before. Maybe I'm just getting old. But seriously, I can't emphasize enough how special the people who made happen it were. They were just great human beings.
What makes UT such a special institution? It definitely ranks right up there with the top schools in the United States. It is such a class act with so many great people. UT has such an unbelievable combination of academics and athletics. It's just the total package. You can walk in anywhere and proudly present any resume with The University of Texas on it. To me, it's an oasis in the middle of an unbelievable state.
