Rest in peace, Griz great Steve Okoniewski

[Colter_Nuanez56]

Just received sad news that Steve Okoniewski passed away over the weekend. He played on some great Griz teams in the late 1960s and was a second round draft pick in the NFL. He LOVED Missoula and Montana and was one of the single most entertaining story tellers I’ve ever met in my career.

Rest in peace, Mr. Okoniewski.

https://twitter.com/skylinesportsmt/status/1762180411420188843?s=46&t=oszVNkKyNHyzaSkaIUSJKg

https://skylinesportsmt.com/montana-football-hall-of-fame-treasure-state-left-indelible-mark-on-okoniewski/

 

[3-7-77]

Second round draft pick in '72 says it all.

After his playing days, the Griz took a LONG hybernation.

RIP.

 

[maroonandsilver]

I first met Steve the summer I returned from the Navy. I used the Sentinel track for interval training doing 200's and 400's. Steve would run with me some days and keep right with me despite weighing at least 100 pounds more than me. Then he would go to campus to lift, then run to the "M"'. He was a great guy.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Met Steve in 1973 at the McDonalds on the corner of McDonald and 93. We had just moved back to Missoula from Florence and he was there doing a meet/greet and handing out autographed pictures (which I STILL have). I was 11 years old and completely in awe of this guy who played for the Griz and was now in the NFL. First Griz player I ever met in person, and really what made me a Griz fan for life.

RIP Steve. You were a good one.

 

[griz71]

RIP Steve O. True GRIZ GREAT and class man to boot.

 

[grizphan]

Sad to hear. He was the head coach and PE teacher for part of my high school days. Great guy, even if PE seemed like NLF training camp most days.