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Steve Breaston
refer to caption
Breaston with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008
No. 15, 19
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1983-08-20) August 20, 1983 (age 41)
North Braddock, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 189 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Pittsburgh (PA) Woodland Hills
College: Michigan (2002–2006)
NFL Draft: 2007 / Round: 5 / Pick: 142
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2003)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 255
Receiving yards: 3,387
Return yards: 3,126
Total touchdowns: 11
Player stats at PFR

Steven William Breaston (born August 20, 1983) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Early life

Breaston grew up in North Braddock, Pennsylvania and attended Woodland Hills High School in suburban Pittsburgh, PA. Breaston lettered three times in football at Woodland Hills High School, where he led the team to a 14-1 record and to a berth in the Pennsylvania 4-A state championship game. He helped Woodland Hills win the WPIAL Class AAAA title, gaining 219 yards on 15 carries during a 41-6 victory. The Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year in 2001, Breaston was rated the third-best skill athlete and was named Northeast Offensive Player of the Year by Super Prep. He received a four-star rating and was ranked as the nation's eighth-best "athlete" by Rivals100.com.

Breaston was selected as Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's co-Player of the Year (with quarterback Tyler Palko) and named an All-American running quarterback by Max Emfinger. The versatile athlete gained 2,545 career rushing yards and 37 touchdowns as a quarterback. As a senior, he carried 151 times for 1,718 yards (11.4-yard average) and 24 touchdowns, completed 33 of 79 passes for 600 yards and was involved in 34 scores overall, including 10 touchdown runs of more than 50 yards.

Breaston returned two punts for touchdowns as a senior, including a 93-yarder vs. McKeesport Area High School, and accounted for more than 5,000 all-purpose yards during his last two seasons combined. Breaston lettered twice in basketball and track, winning the district title in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior.

College career

Chad Henne
2004 Michigan Wolverines football team #20 Mike Hart, #7 Chad Henne, #15 Breaston, #8 Jason Avant, #88 Tim Massaquoi

Breaston played for the Michigan Wolverines for four seasons (2003–2006). He is the most prolific return man in school history and his 156 career receptions are fifth most in Michigan history.

Records

Breaston is Michigan's all-time leading punt returner (127 returns for 1,599 yards) and kickoff returner (81 returns for 1,993 yards). He returned four punts for touchdowns, which ties him with Gene Derricotte and Derrick Alexander for the school record, and one kickoff for a score. His combined total of five returns for touchdowns is a Michigan record. Breaston's punt returns and punt return yardage marks are also Big Ten Conference records. Breaston ranks seventh in conference annals in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage. On January 1, 2005, Breaston set a Rose Bowl record with 315 all-purpose yards.

National awards

  • 2006 Maxwell Award watchlist
  • 2006 Walter Camp Award watchlist
  • 2006 Biletnikoff Award watchlist

Conference honors

  • 2003 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (coaches)
  • 2006 Big Ten Conference Sportsmanship Award Honoree
  • Four-time Big Ten Football Special Teams Player of the Week

200-yard games at Michigan

Breaston had ten games in his U-M career in which he had more than 200 all-purpose yards, as follows:

Rank Opponent Date Rush Yds Rec Yds Kick Ret Yds Punt Ret Yds Total Yds TDs Score
1 Texas January 1, 2005 15 77 221 2 315 1 37–38
2 Northwestern November 13, 2004 32 49 79 112 272 2 42–20
3 Penn State October 15, 2005 3 110 128 28 269 0 27–25
4 Minnesota October 8, 2005 0 45 186 0 231 1 20–23
5 Indiana November 11, 2006 0 103 45 83 231 2 34–3
6 Nebraska December 28, 2005 -2 8 146 72 224 0 28–32
7 Ball State November 4, 2006 11 50 133 22 216 0 43–26
Career 321 1696 1993 1599 5569 17

College statistics

Season Team GP Receiving Rushing Punt Returns Kickoff Returns
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD
2003 Michigan 13 38 444 11.7 37 3 12 65 5.4 21 2 45 619 13.8 74 2 9 191 21.2 34 0
2004 Michigan 11 34 291 8.6 50 3 10 76 7.6 20 0 24 292 12.2 67 1 28 689 24.6 53 0
2005 Michigan 11 26 291 11.2 52 2 10 101 10.1 30 0 29 356 12.3 72 0 23 646 28.1 95 1
2006 Michigan 13 58 670 11.6 62 2 10 79 7.9 26 0 29 332 11.4 83 1 21 467 22.2 64 0
Career 48 156 1,696 10.9 62 10 42 321 7.6 30 2 127 1,599 12.6 83 4 81 1,993 24.6 95 1

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+38 in
(1.84 m)
193 lb
(88 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.46 s 1.55 s 2.55 s 4.29 s 6.90 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
All results from NFL Combine

Arizona Cardinals

Breaston was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 142nd pick in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. In the fourth game of the 2007 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Breaston took a punt back 73 yards for a touchdown, which proved to be the key score, as the Cardinals went on to win the game. Through week 13 of the 2007 season, Breaston had 1,462 return yards for the Cardinals.

Breaston had a breakout year in 2008. Following a serious injury to perennial Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin, Breaston was inserted into the Cardinals' starting line-up at wide receiver. Breaston notably refused to participate in pre-game introductions at home games due to his opinion that he was still a backup, keeping a seat warm for the usual starter Anquan Boldin. Breaston finished the year with 1,006 yards, and he, Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald became the fifth 1,000 yard receiving trio in NFL history. Breaston's final stats with the Cardinals were 140 receptions, 1,810 yards (12.9 avg), and 6 touchdowns.

Kansas City Chiefs

On July 29, 2011 Breaston signed a five-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. In a week 5 game against the Colts, Breaston played an important role by catching 2 touchdowns to lead the Chiefs to a 28-24 comeback victory. Breaston finished the year with 785 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In 2012, he only had 74 yards. He was released by the Chiefs on February 19, 2013.

New Orleans Saints

On August 5, 2013, Breaston signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. On August 19, 2013, he was released by the Saints.

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2007 ARI 16 0 8 92 11.5 22 0
2008 ARI 15 6 77 1,006 13.1 58 3
2009 ARI 15 15 55 712 12.9 45 3
2010 ARI 13 11 47 718 15.3 37 1
2011 KC 16 13 61 785 12.9 43 2
2012 KC 10 4 7 74 10.6 24 0
Total 85 64 255 3,387 13.3 58 9

Personal life

Breaston’s cousin is Toney Clemons.

See also

  • Lists of Michigan Wolverines football receiving leaders
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