| THE ALL-AMERICAN LIFE | | | | mention that the CFL doesn't have the same talent |
| Let's say you decided to trade sunny California for the | | | | level as the NFL. "I went from the option back to |
| plains of Nebraska and have big plans to play for the | | | | throwing the ball more. The talent level is another notch |
| Huskers. On the first night game ever in Memorial | | | | up. Don't forget, some players who were cut in the |
| Stadium, against one of the top foes in the country, | | | | CFL went on to become stars in the NFL," he said as |
| Florida State, the coach calls your number and in you | | | | he quickly named several prominent NFL stars who |
| go. You have already set a record. You're the first | | | | were CFL players. |
| true sophomore to start at quarterback for Nebraska. | | | | During his pro years summers, Taylor returned to |
| That would be a pretty tall order for most players. | | | | Nebraska and worked in the Nebraska recruiting office. |
| But not for Steve Taylor. | | | | "I did that for a few years until the NCAA passed a |
| "There was a lot of media pressure on us," Taylor | | | | rule that prohibited pro athletes from recruiting for |
| recalled. "Dion Sanders was part of that Florida State | | | | colleges." |
| team. "Taylor did pretty well himself, running for two | | | | With the recruiting job gone, Taylor started thinking |
| touchdowns and passing for two. | | | | about other things to do. His football days were over |
| He knew the game was a season-maker and so did | | | | at the ripe old age of thirty. "Enjoy it. Appreciate it. And |
| Tom Osborne. "He told me to go out there and settle | | | | when it's time, move on," Taylor said. "I had played |
| down." Settle down he did with one of the most | | | | football for twenty years and it was time to move on." |
| complex offenses in the country. | | | | He and his wife Stephanie, a Seward native, decided |
| "I came from primarily a passing style offense," Taylor | | | | to move back to Nebraska. |
| said referring to his days as a star quarterback for | | | | "I was reading the Lincoln newspaper and saw an ad |
| San Diego Lincoln High School. Several big name | | | | about real estate school so I went for the interview," |
| universities recruited him, but the final decision came | | | | Taylor said. "I took the classes and passed the test I |
| down to the Huskers and Pac 10 power Washington. | | | | loved it." |
| "The Nebraska recruiting trip was awesome," Taylor | | | | Finding something you love is a key ingredient in the |
| said. "I knew I would be playing with the best at a top | | | | Taylor success formula. "My Lincoln dad told me to do |
| school." | | | | something you love and the rest will follow. And, I love |
| But the offense wasn't an easy thing to master. | | | | real estate." |
| "There are so many versions of the option. Fans see it | | | | "Coach Osborne also stressed consistency," Taylor |
| go left and pitch or go right and pitch but it is much | | | | added. "If you are consistent, you will succeed. We |
| more complex and sophisticated than that." | | | | knocked at the National Championship door so many |
| Taylor learned quickly. "I had help from great guys like | | | | times we knew it would only be a matter of time |
| Travis Turner and Clete Blakeman who helped me | | | | before Coach Osborne won one." |
| understand the offense," he said. | | | | With sound advice and a great work ethic, it's no |
| Things went pretty well for the high profile QB until a | | | | surprise that Taylor has been very successful in the |
| trip to Boulder where the Colorado Buffaloes pulled a | | | | real estate business. "Real estate is a lot like football," |
| major upset. "I didn't play very well that game," Taylor | | | | Taylor stressed. "You are only as good as your last |
| said. "And I heard about it." | | | | game and in real estate, you are only as good as your |
| That's when he remembered some good advice from | | | | last closing." |
| Coach Osborne. "When things go well, you get all the | | | | Taylor also does color pre-game analysis for Lincoln |
| credit, Coach told me, but when thing don't you get all | | | | television station KLKN TV8 when ABC television |
| the blame." | | | | broadcasts the Huskers. |
| Fortunately, blame wasn't a frequent visitor to the | | | | He continues his winning ways as he routinely finishes |
| Taylor-led Huskers. He rewrote the record books and | | | | in the top group of Lincoln's elite real estate agents. "I |
| gained All-American status. "Eric broke most of my | | | | have had people cry on the final walk through of their |
| records," Taylor said as he acknowledged the talents | | | | new home. It's the American dream to own a home |
| of former Husker QB Eric Crouch. "But there may be | | | | and I am grateful I can be part of that big dream." |
| a few left. Plus, we ended the Sooner Magic stuff in | | | | That's a perfect role for him. After all, who knows |
| Norman." | | | | more about the All-American dream than Nebraska's |
| Taylor went on to play in the Canadian Football | | | | Quarterback legend Steve Taylor. |
| League at Edmonton and Winnipeg. He bristles at any | | | | |