Steve Freeman (2000) - Hall of Fame

Steve Freeman

Induction:
2000
Class:
1974

Steve Freeman played football at Mississippi State from 1971-74 before being drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft.

During his time at Mississippi State, Freeman was a three-year starter in the Bulldog secondary and concluded his time at State ranking No. 4 in program history for career interceptions with 10. Freeman is still on the all-time interceptions list, as he is tied for ninth as of 2024. He also ranked fifth in single-season interceptions with five during the 1973 season and is currently one of 19 different Bulldogs to have five interceptions in a single season.

Freeman, who was inducted into the Mississippi State Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2000 class, was one of the best Bulldog defensive backs in program history. He led Mississippi State in interceptions in 1973 (5) and 1974 (4) and was also the team's leading punt returner in 1973.

In 1974, Freeman helped guide Mississippi State to a 9-win season, a berth in the Sun Bowl, where they defeated North Carolina 26-14, and a final AP ranking of No. 17. State's nine wins in 1974 were the most by the Bulldogs since their 8-win campaign in 1964.

Following the 1975 NFL Draft, where the New England Patriots selected Freeman, he was cut after two preseason games. Freeman didn't have to wait long to find another home in the NFL, as he was quickly claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, becoming one of the Bills' greatest waiver acquisitions in franchise history. He played 12 seasons for the Bills, compiling 23 career interceptions and three touchdowns. From 1975 until late in the 1984 season, Freeman played in 150 consecutive games, setting a new Buffalo Bills record. He also held the record for most games played by a Bill at 178 career games. Freeman missed a total of one game while playing in Buffalo.

During the 1980 season, he was one of the leaders on the NFL's top-rated defense, allowing just 256 yards per game while also winning the division. That same season, he picked off seven passes for 107 return yards and a score. In 1984, Freeman earned a well-overdue honor and was named to The Sporting News All-Pro Defensive Team. That same year, he was also named to the Buffalo Bills Silver Anniversary All-Time Team, a team that commemorated the 25th season of professional football for the Bills.

Following Freeman's 13-season NFL career, he played his final season in 1987 with the Minnesota Vikings, he became a football official, working in the Southeastern Conference and NFL Europe before joining the NFL ranks as a back judge in 2001.

Freeman's son, Brad, was a three-year letterwinner for the Mississippi State baseball team and helped lead State to the 1997 and 1998 College World Series. Brad followed in his father's footsteps, joining the college football officiating ranks in the SEC before joining the NFL in 2014.

Freeman was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.