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.
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