Steve Preece (born February 15, 1947) was the quarterback of the 1967 Oregon State "Giant Killers" team who also enjoyed a nine-year NFL career.
Preece was a three-sport athlete at Borah High School in Boise, he was part of a state championship basketball team and football runner-up his senior year. He was not that tall at six-foot, one inch but had a combo of speed and arm strength that made him a perfect for Dee Andros' new offense in Corvallis.
Steve led Beavers through three nationally ranked seasons from 1966-1968. The Beavers were 14-5-1 in his final two seasons. He earned All-Coast and All Pac-8 honors. Preece led the Beavers to their “Giant Killer” 7-3 season in 1967, with wins over top ranked USC and Purdue teams and a tie with UCLA. Preece was voted the Beavers Most Valuable Player in both 1967 and 1968.
Steve Preece was not drafted into the NFL but signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints in 1969. He would play nine years in the NFL, switching to defensive back. Steve was also a holder for kicks and an emergency backup quarterback. Preece also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks. His best years came in LA where served as defensive captain for the NFL’s #1 ranked defense in 1973. The Rams won the NFC West all four of those seasons and reached the NFC championship game three times. He retired in 1978 after battling a knee injury.
Steve Preece settled in Portland and ran a successful business. He has served as a Beaver broadcaster and has been a trusted voice in many OSU athletic department decisions. Steve inducted into the Oregon State University Hall of Fame in 1991