Steve Kearns
Canadian football player (born 1956)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Kearns (born November 23, 1956) is a Canadian former professional football slotback who played six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[1][2] He was a territorial exemption of the Lions in the 1980 CFL draft. He played college football at Liberty Baptist College.
São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| No. 34 | |
|---|---|
| Positions | Slotback, Tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born | November 23, 1956 São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Wexford (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) |
| College | Liberty Baptist |
| CFL draft | 1980 |
| Career history | |
| 1980–1982 | BC Lions |
| 1982–1985 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Early life
Kearns was born in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil and played soccer as a youth.[1] His family moved back to Canada so Steve and his brother Dan could attend Wexford High school.[1] They first played Canadian football in Grade 11.[1]
College career
Kearns played college football for the Liberty Baptist Flames of Liberty Baptist College from 1976 to 1979.[1] He enrolled at Liberty as a defensive end but switched to tight end and wide receiver.[3] He earned Churchmen’s second-team All-American honors in 1978.[3] Kearns set school career records in receiving yards with 1,210 and touchdown receptions with 10.[3] He was inducted into Liberty's athletics hall of fame in 2016.[3]
Professional career
Kearns was selected by the BC Lions as a territorial exemption in the 1980 CFL draft.[4] He was the first Liberty player ever selected in a professional football draft.[5] He played in 25 games for the Lions from 1980 to 1982.[6][2][7][8] He was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and played in 30 games for the team from 1982 to 1985. Kearns retired after the 1985 season.[1][6]
Personal life
Kearns has worked as a chaplain for professional athletes with Athletes in Action after his playing career.[1] He has been a chaplain for the Toronto Raptors, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC. His wife, Georgie, whom he met at Liberty Baptist College, has also worked with Athletes in Action.[1][9]