Playing his entire professional career with the New England Patriots, the team that drafted him in the second round of 1974.

Nelson was a starter at Left Inside Linebacker as a rookie and he held that role until he retired after the 1987 season.  Nelson patrolled the interior beautifully for the Pats, as one of the best (though widely not well known outside of New England) run stuffing Linebackers of the later 70 and 80s and was chosen for three Pro Bowls.  He was also a large part of New England’s run to their first Super Bowl.

Nelson entered the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1993.

Steve Nelson was one of the players that came from North Dakota State, where the Linebacker played his entire pro career with the Patriots (1974-87).