Mystery Surrounds Death of NFL Legend: Hall of Fame Linebacker Passes at 77
What’s the connection between a fluky NBA playoff run and the lasting impact of a college football legend? Well, sometimes, just like those unexpected Cinderella stories in the NBA, a single moment, game, or performance can define an athlete’s legacy. And for Steve Kiner, his legacy was carved not just in the gridiron at Tennessee but across his remarkable journey.
In the shadow of the 2010’s Denver Nuggets, a team often cited as one of the flukiest playoff runs in NBA history, lies another kind of legend. This week, we lost Steve Kiner, one of the greats from the University of Tennessee. A third-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in the ’70 NFL Draft, Kiner’s path was anything but fluky.
Now, you might wonder, how does a linebacker from Sandstone, Minnesota, end up not just in the College Football Hall of Fame, but also the hearts of many? Kiner was known for his toughness, leadership, and excellence, as Archie Manning noted. But his real flukiness? It’s in his unique path post-football, where he earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and set up a mental health clinic.
Here’s a man whose impact was felt on and off the field. A unanimous All-American selection in 1969, his final season with Tennessee, Kiner’s most memorable performance came against Alabama, where his sheer will and skill turned the tide to secure a dramatic 10-9 victory. Bear Bryant, in awe, called him “the best in this league since Leroy Jordan played for us.”
So, as we ponder the whims of playoffs and the unexpected heroes they produce, let’s remember Steve Kiner not just for his prowess on the field, but for showing us the depth of an athlete’s heart. LEARN MORE
Former University of Tennessee star and NFL linebacker Steve Kiner passed away on Thursday.
Kiner, who is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame, was 77 years old. A native of Sandstone, Minnesota, he was a two-time All-American for the Vols, including a unanimous All-American selection in 1969, his final collegiate season.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Kiner, a true legend of our game,” said Archie Manning, chairman of the National Football Foundation. “Steve’s remarkable career at Tennessee was defined by toughness, leadership, and excellence, and he leaves behind a legacy that extends well beyond the football field. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Volunteer community.”
A two-time first-team All-SEC selection and the 1969 SEC Defensive Player of the Year as well, Kiner finished ninth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy as a senior. He is regarded as one of the Tennessee program’s all-time defensive greats.
His signature performance in his final year came against Alabama, when the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Kiner logged 14 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble in a 10-9 victory over the Crimson Tide, prompting Bear Bryant to call Kiner “the best in this league since Leroy Jordan played for us.”
A third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970 NFL Draft, Kiner spent his rookie season with America’s Team before moving on to the New England Patriots.
He played for the Patriots in 1971 and 1973 and and the Houston Oilers from 1974-78. In 114 career regular season NFL games, Kiner finished with 19 sacks, 10 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
After retiring, Kiner eventually earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and opened a mental health clinic in Carrolton, Georgia.
We would like to extend our condolences to Kiner’s family and friends during this difficult time.
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