Steve Bellisari
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Steve Bellisari (born April 21, 1980) is a former American football quarterback for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1998 to 2001. Bellisari, a special teams player and a defensive back his first year, replaced Joe Germaine as the Ohio State starting quarterback in 1999.
In contrast to the accurate Germaine, Bellisari is remembered for a tendency to throw interceptions. In truth, Bellisari's interception rate was only 3.82%, lower than more highly appreciated Ohio State quarterbacks Art Schlichter, Mike Tomczak, Greg Frey, or Bobby Hoying. Bellisari experienced an increasingly controversial tenure as Ohio State's starting quarterback, culminating in a two-game suspension at the end of his senior season following an arrest for drunk driving. He was re-instated to travel with the team to the Outback Bowl against South Carolina, where he finished his career as a substitute, leading Ohio State back from a large deficit to tie the game before giving up an interception that allowed South Carolina to kick a winning field goal.
Bellisari was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2002 NFL draft and converted to safety. Bellisari played for the Manchester Wolves in the second half of the 2005 arena football season, leading them into the playoffs with four straight victories to finish out the year. Seldom turning the ball over in his stay with the Wolves, he was intercepted while the Wolves attempted to kick the game-winning field goal in their 40-39 playoff loss to the Florida Firecats. Bellisari is now with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League.
| Preceded by Joe Germaine |
Ohio State Buckeyes Starting Quarterbacks 1999-2001 |
Succeeded by Craig Krenzel |
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