Aug. 2, 2000

EVANSTON, Ill. - Steve Tasker, who played football at Northwestern University from 1982-84 before going on to a storied career in the NFL, was named to the National Football League's All-Time Team on August 1.

The team was selected by the 36 voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Tasker was picked by the voters as the top overall special-teams players. The NFL's All-Time Team honored 11 players on both offense and defense. the voters also selected one player apiece in the following categories: placekicker, kick returner, punter, punt returner, and overall special-teams (Tasker).

In his NFL career, Tasker played two years for the Houston Oilers before hitting his stride with the Buffalo Bills. As a pure special-teams player, he participated in four Super Bowls. He retired after the 1997 season.

At Northwestern, Tasker led the Wildcats all three of his years in punt returns and was the top kickoff returner in 1982. He ranks third in both categories in career yards-per-returns (10.8 punt, 24.3 kickoff). He still holds the Northwestern record for kickoff return yards in a game, with 188 against Purdue in 1982.

The NFL's All-Time Team will be featured in a book entitled "NFL's Greatest," which will be on bookstands soon.