Keith Bostic (American football)

Infobox NFLretired
name=Keith Bostic


width=
caption=
position=Safety
number=
birthdate=birth date and age|1961|01|17
city-state|Ann Arbor|Michigan
deathdate=
debutyear=1983
finalyear=1990
draftyear=1983
draftround=2
draftpick=42
college=Michigan
teams=Houston Oilers (1983-1988)
Cleveland Browns (1990)
stat1label=Quarterback sacks
stat1value=17
stat2label=Interceptions
stat2value=13
stat3label=Fumble recoveries
stat3value=7
pfr=BostKe00
dbf=BOSTIKEI01
highlights=Pro Bowl (1x)
All-Pro (1x)
AFC interceptions leader (1x)
All-Big Ten Conference first team (1x)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

William Keith Bostic (born January 17, 1961 in city-state|Ann Arbor|Michigan) is a former American football safety who played for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Houston Oilers and the Cleveland Browns. Bostic served as the Oiler defensive captain under Jerry Glanville. He earned one Pro Bowl selection and missed another based on a tiebreaker for the last safety chosen. In his Pro Bowl season, he led the American Football Conference in interceptions.

Prior to playing in the NFL, he played for the Michigan Wolverines football team of the Big Ten Conference from 1979–1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. During this time Michigan won two Big Ten Conference Championships and Bostic was once named first team All-Big Ten. While at Michigan, he accumulated fumble recovery and interception statistics that continue to rank among the leaders in school history. Bostic had a reputation as a very physical safety.

College

He starred at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. [cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BOSTIKEI01|title=Keith Bostic|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] He then stayed in Ann Arbor to play for the University of Michigan where he earned four varsity letters in football from 1979-1982 while wearing the #13. [cite web|url=http://141.211.39.65/allroster/fbsearch.htm|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2003-08-25|title=Bentley Historical Library -- -- U of M Football Rosters|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan] He also started eight games in 1980, [cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1980fbt.htm|title=1980 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2007-03-31|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan] and he had an interception in the January 1, 1981 Rose Bowl for the 1980 Big Ten Conference Champions. [cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/gametot.php?gkey=323|title=Versus Washington January 1, 1981|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2003|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan] This game was the first bowl game victory for Bo Schembechler.cite news|title=Woolfolk totes Wolverines: Butch: Biggest game? You bet|accessdate=2007-12-11|date=1981-01-04|publisher=Pacific Stars and Stripes] He started eleven games in 1981 and twelve in 1982. [cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1981fbt.htm|title=1981 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2007-03-31|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan] cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1982fbt.htm|title=1982 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2007-03-31|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan] He was first team All-Big Ten for the 1982 Big Ten Champions who also went to the Rose Bowl. When he was drafted into the NFL, he was second on the modern Michigan career interceptions list (since 1965) with ten career interceptions, which places him in a tie for seventh on the list now. [cite web|url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/footstart.php|title=Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2003] He ranks tenth on the All-time list. He ranks second on the All-time single-season fumble recovery list with four and fourth on the career list with six. His 119 interception return yards in 1982 ranks fifth all-time. [cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/document_file/fbl-2007spring-records1.pdf|title=Record Book|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2007|publisher=University of Michigan & Host Interactive]

Professional career

Bostic was drafted with the fourteenth pick of the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft with the 42nd pick overall by the Houston Oilers. [cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1983&lg=nfl|title=1983 NFL Player Draft|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] He was also drafted by the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 1983 Territorial Draft. [cite web|url=http://www.thisistheusfl.com/1983usflterritorialassignments.htm|title=USFL Territorial Assignments|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=thisistheusfl.com] Bostic started the last 12 games of the 1983 NFL season and every game thereafter as an Oiler until leaving the team in 1989. By 1985 he had become one of the best safeties in the league. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_235328|title=Reviewing drafts that Holovak masterminded with Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1986-04-29|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] Bostic signed a contract extension before the 1987 NFL season. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_557213|title=Oilers, Brown combining all the ingredients of a long holdout|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-07-17|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] Then, Bostic earned a Pro Bowl birth in 1987 and was named second-team All-Pro the same season. [cite web|url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BostKe00.htm?redir|title=Keith Bostic|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com] During the 1987 season he finished second in the NFL with a career-high six interceptions. [cite web|url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/leaders.htm|title=1987 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com] That total led the American Football Conference (AFC), and he added three quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery that season. During the 1985 NFL season he had a career-high five quarterback sacks, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. He earned All-Pro honorable mention in 1988. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_592646|title=Associated Press all-pro team|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-12-25|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.] That season he finished tied for the third and final AFC safety Pro Bowl spot with David Fulcher and missed being invited due to the tiebreaker. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_591808|title=Oilers' search hits snowy snag|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-12-20|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=Carter, Al] [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_591061|title=Players cool to all the weather talk|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-12-16|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John]

Bostic's physical style of play was respected by his peers: Lester Hayes said Raider tight end Todd Christensen is the best receiving tight end and that "The only guy I've ever seen cover Todd is my son, Keith Bostic. . .Bostic's the only guy I've ever seen pulverize him. I mean he really pulverized him. I call Bostic and Frank Minnifield (Cleveland cornerback) my sons, my sons of dirt." Hayes meant that Bostic and Minnifield, play a physical style, just like Hayes. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_565327|title=Toughness the key to Moon's quarterbacking success|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-08-21|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] Bostic is known as a big hitter blessed with athletic ability. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_262876|title=OILERS VS. COWBOYS/Donaldson provides excellent safety net|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1986-08-29|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_263983|title=Can preseason confidence equal real-season success?|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1986-09-04|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] He combined strength and speed to play his physical style according to Ozzie Newsome: "He's as strong as any linebacker and can run like any of the guys on the corner." [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_424079|title=Newsome, Browns offer different look|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1986-11-27|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=Sefko, Eddie] Bostic earned the nickname "Batman" for his style of play. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_258671|title=An equal opportunity destroyer/In Bo Eason's case, looks can be misleading|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1986-08-10|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] Instead of instructing his team to elect captains, Glanville instructed his team to ". . .pick the three toughest guys. If somebody throws a grenade into a room, they're the ones who'll jump on it." Bostic was the player chosen from the Oilers' defense.cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_57799|title=Matthews brothers always competitive|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1985-12-13|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] Although much is made of his strength and toughness, it should also be mentioned that he once collared Tony Dorsett from behind in a footrace. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_41268|title=Cowboys sack up Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1985-09-30|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] At one point in Bostic's career, while Glanville was still defensive coordinator, the Oilers considered moving him to cornerback because of his speed. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_232047|title=THE DRAFT/Oilers: Childress will lead parade of defensive picks|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1985-04-28|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_10215|title=Oilers want trained killers' on defense|accessdate=2007-12-28|date=1985-05-08|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John]

Bostic joined the Oilers who were rebuilding from being the oldest average age NFL team in 1981.cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7D6173AF930A35752C0A96E948260|title= PRO FOOTBALL; Oiler Fans Can't Believe They've Got a Gusher|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-01-03|publisher=The New York Times Company|author=Ezkenazi, Gerald] During the 1970s Bum Phillips had traded away draft picks for veterans several times and between the 1974 NFL Draft and the 1981 NFL Draft the team only had four first round picks, but reached the AFC Championship game twice during the decade with veterans. They went to the playoffs in 1980 as well. However, by 1981 they were below .500 with an aging team. From the 1982 NFL Draft to the 1987 NFL Draft they had nine first round choices. They complemented their drafting with signings of Warren Moon out of the Canadian Football League and Mike Rozier out of the USFL. The 1983 Houston Oilers under coaches Ed Biles and Chuck Studley went 2–14. [cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=HOO&yr=1983&lg=nfl|title=1983 Houston Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] The 1984 and 1985 teams of Hugh Campbell also were below .500. [cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=HOO&yr=1984&lg=nfl|title=1984 Houston Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=HOO&yr=1985&lg=nfl|title=1985 Houston Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] Bostic's physical style of play was well-suited for Jerry Glanville who took over the Oilers' head coaching job for the 1986 NFL season after having been the team's defensive coordinator. [cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=HOO&yr=1986&lg=nfl|title=1986 Houston Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] Glanville took the team to both the 1987-88 and 1988-89 NFL Playoffs.cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=HOO&yr=1987&lg=nfl|title=1987 Houston Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] [cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=HOO&yr=1988&lg=nfl|title=1988 Houston Oilers|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=databaseSports.com|work=databaseFootball.com] The unheralded 1987 team was a surprise playoff entrant in the first round Wild Card game. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7D7163EF93BA35752C0A96E948260|title= N.F.L. PLAYOFF MATCHUPS; Surprise Teams Hope to Take Another Super Step|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-01-08|publisher=The New York Times Company|author=Eskenzi, Gerald] Even after a surprise 1987 playoff run the Oilers fired their defensive backs coach, Tom Bettis who had taken over from Ken Houston. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_517249|title=Allen disappointed over coach's firing|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-01-19|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] With all the rebuilding turnover Bostic was one of the four longest tenured Oilers by his sixth season with the team. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_580792|title=Beating contender gags critics|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-10-31|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=Stickney, W.H., Jr.] He started 88 consecutive non-strike games for the Oilers.cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_570322|title=Deficiency didn't stop Oilers' Bostic/Safety now swallowing iron as well as pumping it to regain his energy|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-09-15|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] He was replaced by Bubba McDowell as the Oilers' starting strong safety. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1989_648894|title=Rookie McDowell impresses Oilers as starter|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1989-09-08|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John]

In 1989, the Oilers became fed up with Bostic for his untimely penalties and his moody and unpredictable personality. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1989_641400|title=Smoothing over the rough spots|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1989-08-05|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=Blinebury, Fran] The Indianapolis Colts signed Bostic as a plan B free agent to a two-year $900,000 contract, [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1989_613392|title=Oilers' Bostic headed to Colts|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1989-04-01|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] but released him during training camp.cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1990_721160|title=Browns sign former Oilers safety Bostic|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1990-08-07|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.] They released him during the second week of training camp and it was rumored he might head to the Los Angeles Raiders. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1989_642938|title=Moon satisfied with non-surgical treatment|date=1989-08-13|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John] The Oilers lost a league high fifteen plan B free agents that season. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1989_648761|title=The incredible warbling Oiler Matthews to sing on TV|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1989-09-09|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.] In 1990, the Cleveland Browns signed Bostic as a free agent. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFDF133BF934A3575BC0A966958260|title=Deals|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1990-08-07|publisher=The New York Times Company] However, they waived him during the season. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1990_733174|title=AFC|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1990-10-02|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.]

Personal

During the offseasons, Bostic was a regular on the Oilers' summer basketball team that traveled around the state raising money for charities by playing various local All-star teams. Bostic had a reputation as the best player ever to play for the team after its twelfth season. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1988_537466|title=Oilers should take impact players rather than go reaching|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1988-04-17|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John]

During one NFL training camp Bostic played with tape over his mouth to try to win a $20 bet with Steve Brown over who could keep from talking the longest. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_259489|title=Oilers perplexed over case of missing linemen|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=1986-08-12|publisher=Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspapers Partnership, L.P.|author=McClain, John]

Notes