Oct. 4, 2001
When one thinks of the best athlete on a football team, who comes to mind? Is it the fleat-footed running back or strong-armed quarterback? Perhaps the high-jumping cornerback or pass-rushing defensive end? It's doubtful that the punter comes to mind as one of the best athletes on the football team after running through position by position. Now, think back to Nov. 6, 1999. Illinois lines up for a 28-yard field goal at Iowa. The snap is good and then kicker Neil Rackers runs wide to the left. The holder, sophomore punter Steve Fitts, drops back and throws a perfect strike into the waiting hands of Rackers for the first punter-kicker touchdown combination in Illini history. Maybe the punter is more athletic than given credit for.
The young sophomore punter who threw that touchdown pass is now a senior. The pass-receiving kicker is now a second-year pro on the Cincinnati Bengals. Although miles apart during this fall's football season, both still share a friendship that formed over the 1998 and 1999 seasons. When Fitts arrived from South Congaree, S.C., Rackers took him under his wing.
"Right when I came in he was like a big brother to me," Fitts said. "He showed me everything and introduced me to all the guys. He showed me the way he worked, and I helped him, too, if he had a bad work habit. So we both got a lot out of each other."
Rackers' leadership helped Fitts be comfortable enough to start as a true freshman and move into the Illinois record book, kicking 77 times for 3,182 yards, a 41.3 yard average. Fitts topped his freshman campaign in 1999 by ranking 31st nationally and fourth in the Big Ten in punting yardage. He finished the year ranked first on the Illinois all-time list for career average and eighth for career punts and career yards. This was also the season that Fitts connected with Rackers for the touchdown against Iowa.
"Rackers and I always talk about that play. That was a great play for us, and I feel like I can help out on special teams besides just punting and kicking," Fitts said.
The pass against Iowa was not Fitts' only completion in 1999. During a Nov. 13 victory against Ohio State, Fitts completed an 18-yard pass to fullback Jameel Cook to continue a scoring drive. Fitts' proven athleticism would convince Head Coach Ron Turner to experiment at the kicking position in the 2000 campaign, trying to fill a void left by Rackers' departure into the National Football League. For the first time since 1953, a single player would handle both kicking and punting duties. Although Fitts was a perfect 25-of-25 on extra points, he was a modest 5-of-10 on field goal attempts.
"I think I was a little uncomfortable trying to kick and punt last year," Fitts said. "I think I tried to do a little too much."
Fitts ended the 2000 season ranked fifth in Illinois career punts and fourth in all-time punting yardage. In 2001, Fitts can rest assured that he will only handle punting duties and occasional kickoffs. That comfort could lead to Fitts graduating as the Illini's all-time best punter. Was this a goal coming into the school as a freshman?
"When I came here I did not even know what the records were," Fitts said. "After going through interviews I started learning what the records were, but that was never a main goal of mine. I have been more concerned with situational punting."
No matter where the Illini are playing this season, Fitts can be sure that Rackers is watching his every kick. The two special teamers still frequently talk, and Fitts was recently in Rackers' wedding. Fitts also has kept a close eye on his old buddy in the NFL.
"He's doing really well in the NFL. It's everybody's dream to play on the next level but I just have to focus on what to do right now to get you there," said Fitts.
If Fitts performs like he has the past three seasons at Illinois, his dream of joining his buddy in the NFL will come true. This season, however, Fitts wants to do what Rackers did in his senior season - lead the Illini to a bowl game.
