Former Steelers great Stautner dies
In the storied history of the Steelers franchise, only one player owns the distinction of having his jersey number retired: No. 70 defensive lineman Ernie Stautner.
It was a humbling honor for a man who played in nine Pro Bowls, missed six games in 14 years, overcame a lack of size with an enormous heart, landed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot and went on to a stellar coaching career after his 1963 retirement.
Known for his relentless style and rearranged nose (the result of countless breaks), Stautner died in a Carbondale, Colo., nursing home Thursday after an extended bout with Alzheimer's disease. He was 80.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ernie Stautner," Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said in a statement. "He was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Steelers uniform."
A third-round draft choice from Boston College in 1950, Stautner joined the Steelers well before their famed Super Bowl run of the 1970s -- the franchise was 71-86-7 -- yet he hardly played in anonymity under the watch of coaches John Michelosen, Joe Bach, Walt Kiesling and Buddy Parker.
His non-stop energy resonated through a league that featured stars such as Y.A. Tittle, Sonny Jurgensen, Rosey Grier and Dick "Night Train" Lane.
And, because he demonstrated a blue-collar work ethic (no doubt developed in his native Germany), he was a favorite of the long-suffering Steelers fans.
"Ernie's physical and relentless style of play helped the Steelers earn a reputation for being one of the NFL's toughest teams in the 1950s," Rooney said, mindful that the Steelers were 16-9-3 in Stautner's final two seasons, which included a playoff berth in 1962. "He was undersized for his position, but his strength and power were among his greatest assets."
Stautner, who played at 6-feet-1, 230 pounds, retired as the NFL leader in safeties (three) and ranked third in fumble recoveries (23).
"Ernie was one of the NFL's first impact players along the defensive line," Rooney said. "He was probably the most well-known player on the team throughout much of his career. Although he never won an NFL championship as a player, Ernie was a member of several outstanding defensive lines that included Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb and Billy Ray Smith.
"Even after his playing days, we remained close friends. Ernie will be missed, but he will always be remembered for his contributions to the Steelers both as a player and a person."
After his playing career, Stautner finally earned an elusive championship ring as an assistant for the Dallas Cowboys, a heated rival of the Steelers, with Super Bowl titles in 1971 and 1977. He was the defensive line coach with the Cowboys from 1966-72 and the defensive coordinator, under the legendary Tom Landry, from 1973-88.
He is credited with helping to develop some of the greatest defensive linemen in Dallas history, including Harvey Martin, Randy White and Ed "Too Tall" Jones.
"He was kind of the backbone of our Doomsday defenses," said Gil Brandt, the vice president of player personnel with the Cowboys from 1960-89. "He kind of coached like he played. He was a hard-working, hard-trying individual who had a lot of patience in developing young players. He was easy-going and well-liked. The thing with him was that he made everybody feel at home."
Stautner also served as an assistant with the Steelers, Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos. Moreover, he was a head coach with the Dallas Texans of the Arena League and the world champion Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe.
Stautner emigrated to Albany, N.Y., when he was 3. He later served in the Marines before embarking on his football career.
Survivors include his wife, Jill, five daughters and six grandchildren. Services will be held in Lewisville, Texas.
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