Keith Bostic (American football)
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{{Infobox NFLretired
|name=Keith Bostic
|image=
|width=
|caption=
|position=[[Safety (American football)|Safety]]
|number=
|birthdate={{birth date and age|1961|01|17}}<br>{{city-state|Ann Arbor|Michigan}}
|deathdate=
|debutyear=1983
|finalyear=1990
|draftyear=1983
|draftround=2
|draftpick=42
|college=[[University of Michigan|Michigan]]
|teams=[[Houston_Oilers#Houston_Oilers_era_.281960-96.29|Houston Oilers]] ([[1983 NFL season|1983]]-[[1988 NFL season|1988]])<BR>[[Cleveland Browns]] ([[1990 NFL season|1990]])<nowiki></nowiki>
|stat1label=[[Quarterback sack]]s
|stat1value=17
|stat2label=[[Interception (football)|Interceptions]]
|stat2value=13
|stat3label=[[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
|stat3value=7
|pfr=BostKe00
|dbf=BOSTIKEI01
|highlights=[[Pro Bowl]] (1x)<br>[[All-Pro]] (1x)<br>[[American Football Conference|AFC]] interceptions leader (1x)<br>All-[[Big Ten Conference]] first team (1x)<nowiki></nowiki>
|HOF=
|CollegeHOF=
}}
'''William Keith Bostic''' (born [[January 17]], [[1961]] in {{city-state|Ann Arbor|Michigan}}) is a former [[American football]] [[Safety (American football)|safety]] who played for seven seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) with the [[Houston_Oilers#Houston_Oilers_era_.281960-96.29|Houston Oilers]] and the [[Cleveland Browns]]. Bostic served as the Oiler defensive [[captain (sports)|captain]] under [[Jerry Glanville]].<ref name=Mbac/> 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 [[Interception (football)|interception]]s.
Prior to playing in the NFL, he played for the [[Michigan Wolverines football]] team of the [[Big Ten Conference]] from [[1979 NCAA Division I-A football season|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.<ref name=DdsOB/>
==College==
[[Image:Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena from Flickr 182952103.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bostic appeared in two [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose Bowl]]s.]]
He starred at [[Pioneer High School]] in Ann Arbor.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He then stayed in Ann Arbor to play for the [[University of Michigan]] where he earned four [[varsity letter]]s in [[College football|football]] from 1979-1982 while wearing the #13.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He also [[Starting lineup|started]] eight games in 1980,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and he had an interception in the [[January 1]], [[1981]] [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose Bowl]] for the 1980 Big Ten Conference Champions.<ref>{{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}}</ref> This game was the first [[bowl game]] victory for [[Bo Schembechler]].<ref name=PSASWTW>{{cite news|title=Woolfolk totes Wolverines: Butch: Biggest game? You bet|accessdate=2007-12-11|date=1981-01-04|publisher=[[Pacific Stars and Stripes]]}}</ref> He started eleven games in 1981 and twelve in 1982.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=Bent82>{{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}}</ref> He was first team All-Big Ten for the 1982 Big Ten Champions who also went to the Rose Bowl.<ref name=Bent82/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was also drafted by the [[Michigan Panthers]] of the [[United States Football League]] (USFL) in the 1983 Territorial Draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisistheusfl.com/1983usflterritorialassignments.htm|title=USFL Territorial Assignments|accessdate=2007-12-27|publisher=thisistheusfl.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bostic signed a contract extension before the [[1987 NFL season]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> Then, Bostic earned a [[Pro Bowl]] birth in 1987 and was named second-team [[All-Pro]] the same season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> During the 1987 season he finished second in the NFL with a career-high six [[interception]]s.<ref>{{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}}</ref> That total led the [[American Football Conference]] (AFC),<ref name=HC19900807/> and he added three [[quarterback sack]]s and a [[fumble]] recovery that season.<ref name=DBF87/> During the [[1985 NFL season]] he had a career-high five quarterback sacks, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.<ref name=DBF85/> He earned All-Pro honorable mention in 1988.<ref>{{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.}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
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 Browns|Cleveland]] [[cornerback]]) my sons, my sons of dirt." Hayes meant that Bostic and Minnifield, play a physical style, just like Hayes.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bostic is known as a big hitter blessed with athletic ability.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[cornerback|corner]]."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bostic earned the nickname "Batman" for his style of play.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Instead of instructing his team to elect [[captain (sports)|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.<ref name=Mbac>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> At one point in Bostic's career, while Glanville was still [[defensive coordinator]], the Oilers considered moving him to cornerback because of his speed.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
Bostic joined the Oilers who were rebuilding from being the oldest average age NFL team in 1981.<ref name=PFOFCBTGaG>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=PFOFCBTGaG/> 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.<ref name=PFOFCBTGaG/> The 1983 Houston Oilers under coaches [[Ed Biles]] and [[Chuck Studley]] went 2–14.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The 1984 and 1985 teams of [[Hugh Campbell]] also were below .500.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=DBF85>{{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}}</ref> Bostic's physical style of play was well-suited for [[Jerry Glanville]] who took over the Oilers' [[head coach]]ing job for the [[1986 NFL season]] after having been the team's defensive coordinator.<ref name=DdsOB/><ref>{{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}}</ref> Glanville took the team to both the [[NFL playoffs, 1987-88|1987-88]] and [[NFL playoffs, 1988-89|1988-89 NFL Playoffs]].<ref name=DBF87>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The unheralded 1987 team was a surprise playoff entrant in the first round Wild Card game.<ref name=DBF87/><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=PFOFCBTGaG/> Even after a surprise 1987 playoff run the Oilers fired their [[defensive back]]s coach, [[Tom Bettis]] who had taken over from [[Ken Houston]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> With all the rebuilding turnover Bostic was one of the four longest tenured Oilers by his sixth season with the team.<ref>{{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.}}</ref> He started 88 consecutive non-strike games for the Oilers.<ref name=DdsOB>{{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}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Bubba McDowell]] as the Oilers' starting [[strong safety]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
In 1989, the Oilers became fed up with Bostic for his untimely penalties and his moody and unpredictable personality.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The [[Indianapolis Colts]] signed Bostic as a plan B [[free agent]] to a two-year [[U.S. Dollar|$]]900,000 contract,<ref>{{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}}</ref> but released him during [[training camp]].<ref name=HC19900807>{{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.}}</ref> They released him during the second week of training camp and it was rumored he might head to the [[Los Angeles Raiders]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Oilers lost a league high fifteen plan B free agents that season.<ref>{{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.}}</ref> In 1990, the [[Cleveland Browns]] signed Bostic as a free agent.<ref>{{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}}</ref> However, they waived him during the season.<ref>{{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.}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
During one [[National Football League Training Camp|NFL training camp]] Bostic played with tape over his mouth to try to win a $20 bet with [[Steve Brown (American football)|Steve Brown]] over who could keep from talking the longest.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Michigan Wolverines Football}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bostic, Keith}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football safeties]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns players]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Michigan Wolverines football players]]
[[Category:People from Ann Arbor, Michigan]]