Although not selected in the National Football League draft, he signed with the Green Bay Packers for the 1939 season and played three games as they won the NFL championship.
[5] Steen was a three-sport athlete at Rice, playing basketball as a forward, football as an end, and baseball as a third baseman.
[6][7] He began seeing significant playing time in football as a sophomore in 1934, lettering while earning first-team all-conference honors from the Austin American-Statesman and helping Rice win the conference championship.
"[7][15] As a senior in 1937, Steen helped Rice compile an overall record of 6–3–2, win the conference championship, and earn a trip to the Cotton Bowl.
[16] In the team's rivalry game against Texas, he caught a pass to score the game-winning touchdown which was met with much controversy.
[5] Steen enlisted in the United States Armed Forces to serve in World War II the year after his stint with the Packers.