Troy Apke

Troy Apke's Biography

Born on April 11, 1995, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Troy Steven Apke is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers player Steve Apke, and a Penn State alumnus known for his talent in professional football. Tracing his journey from his early life, college football stints, and finally his professional career, we observe the evolution of a distinguished football safety and cornerback.

Troy Apke inherited an exceptional athleticism not just from his father, who spent his playing days as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers, but also from his mother, a track-and-field runner for Pittsburgh. Apke’s upbringing in Mt. Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania, amplified his sporting inclinations, as he involved himself in football, basketball, and track and field while attending Mt. Lebanon High School.

Exemplifying promise early on, Apke made it to the PIAA state track and field championships during his junior and senior years. He notably earned the title of WPIAL Champion in the 2014 100-meter event, where he clocked an impressive time of 10.81 seconds. His talent also extended onto the football field, where he demonstrated an uncompromising agility and tact as a wide receiver and safety. During his last two seasons in high school, Apke compiled 1,776 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Moreover, he drew attention through his defensive prowess, notching 68 tackles supplemented by 3 interceptions. A 3-star recruit, his performance on the field caught the attention of scouts, eventually leading to his commitment to Penn State.

Penn State heralded a transformative era in Apke’s football career. His freshman season saw him channel his efforts onto special teams, concluding with two tackles in four games. His sophomore year saw an upgrade in his involvement as he played in all 13 games, where he managed to start one and end the season with 26 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection.

Apke’s consistency paid off as he became a senior season starter under head coach James Franklin. Starting with the opener against Akron Zips, he was part of a three-season shutout streak on the Penn State roster and among the three players to feature in all three games. He graduated holding a Criminology degree and a noteworthy football career that made a significant impact in 2018 when the Washington Redskins selected him as the 109th pick overall in the NFL draft’s fourth round.

Upon entering the NFL, Apke quickly turned heads during his Redskins season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. However, he suffered an unfortunate injury while making a touchdown-saving tackle on a punt return, which led to a month in injured reserve. His initial setback did not shadow his contributions on special teams during the 2019 season. His first career interception came during week 7 versus the San Francisco 49ers, reflecting his grit and growth amidst adversities.

In an interesting twist, Apke won the starting free safety position in 2020 against Sean Davis during training camp, but due to a poor start to the season, he lost his starting position by week five. The following year presented another shift in his career – he converted to a cornerback, becoming the first white player since Dustin Fox in 2008 to step into that role.

Apke’s career saw considerable action in the subsequent years, which involved re-signing with the Redskins on March 17, 2022, only to be released the following August. After his release, Apke was re-signed back to their practice squad multiple times with intervals of his release. Despite the ups and downs, Apke ended up signing a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. However, his stint was hampered by another injury, and the Commanders placed him on an injured reserve just a few months later on August 8, 2023, and finally released him on November 20.