Steinke played with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1945 to 1948 and led the NFL in punt returns with a 14.8 average in 1947.

He directed the Javelinas to 39 consecutive triumphs and six NAIA football national titles, including three in a row from 1974 to 1976.

By the end of his 23-year coaching career at A&I, he had achieved ten Lone Star Conference championship trophies and 186 wins against only 62 losses and four ties.

Later he tried his hand in the professional ranks as coach and general manager of the United States Football League's San Antonio Gunslingers.

After retiring to focus on his general manager duties in 1985, he was forced to take over as interim head coach for the last six games of the season after his successor, Jim Bates, resigned after several missed payrolls.