BRIDGE CITY, Texas — Bridge City High School alumni are mourning the loss of a beloved athlete who they believe helped make the school and the city legendary.
Steve Worster died Saturday night at the age of 73, his son confirmed with 12News. Some sports fans described him as one of Southeast Texas’ greatest athletes.
Worster's funeral will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 at the Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the funeral will begin at 2 p.m.
Worster was born in Wyoming on July 8, 1949 but was raised in Bridge City. He graduated from Bridge City High School in 1967, according to the Museum of the Gulf Coast.
While attending the high school, Worster was a tailback on the football team and catcher on the baseball team. Worster helped lead the Bridge City Cardinals to back-to-back state championships in 1965 and 1966.
Worster led the team to the Class 3A championship in 1966, where the Cardinals won their only title.
Darrell Segura played on the 1966 state championship team with Worster. He described Worster as not only a team player but also, "the most humble guy on the team."
"I never heard him brag on anything he did, nor try to take credit for winning any game," Segura said.
Segura and a few former teammates visited Worster a few months ago to reminisce on old times.
"It was sad to see his health begin to fail, but it was still a rewarding experience to be in his presence," Segura said.
Worster told the crew he was never carried off the field on the shoulders of teammates, while also mentioning when Segura was.
"I laughed and said, 'Steve, it was easy to carry me on their shoulders as I weighed less than 120 pounds,'" Segura said. "'You were right at 200 pound, and no one or two guys could have held you on their shoulders.' I think he got the point."
Bridge City High School retired Worster’s jersey after he left Bridge City. Members of the Bridge City High School Alumni Association believe Worster, "helped to make Bridge City High School and Bridge City legendary."
Worster was later honored as Bridge City’s Citizen of The Year and inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame, according to the museum.
Worster ran 38 100-yard games. That is second in Texas prep history.
Worster attended the University of Texas on a football scholarship and played halfback under Coach Darrell Royal. He was later named All-Southwestern Conference three times and was named All-American twice.
Worster was inducted into the Texas Longhorn Hall of Fame and Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. He was voted Most Valuable Player of the 1970 Cotton Bowl and 1970 Texas Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Texas Sports Writer’s Association, according to the museum.
The Longhorns won two national championships during Worster’s four years. He was given the nickname “Big Woo” by Texas Longhorn fans.
