BREAKING NEWS Former linebacker Steve Kiner dies at the age of 77 just hours before NFL Draft
Former NFL linebacker Steve Kiner died at the age of 77 Thursday, the National Football Foundation announced just hours before the 2025 Draft.
Kiner was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee.
'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Kiner, a true legend of our game,' NFF chairman Archie Manning said in a news release. No cause of death was given.
'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,' Manning continued.
'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Volunteer community.'
Kiner was a consensus All-American as a junior in 1968 and a unanimous All-American in 1969 when he was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He intercepted five passes that season and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy balloting.
Kiner was a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1970 and played eight NFL seasons.
He had 19 sacks and 10 interceptions in 114 games (99 starts) with the Cowboys (1970), New England Patriots (1971, 1973) and Houston Oilers (1974-78).
Kiner was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
Following his career on the field, Kiner earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1994. He later established a mental health therapy practice in Carrollton, Georgia.
The news of Kiner's death broke just hours before the NFL Draft began in Green Bay Thursday.
During the event, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute to another late football legend.
Chicago Bears Super Bowl winner Steve McKinnon died Wednesday at the age of 67 following a battle with ALS.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
40 minutes ago
- Reuters
Colts QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) to miss minicamp
June 5 - Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson aggravated the AC joint in his right shoulder and will not participate in next week's minicamp, head coach Shane Steichen announced Thursday. Richardson reported soreness and will rest his ailing shoulder, the same one that required AC joint surgery in 2023. Surgery is not anticipated this time around, per Steichen, who said the plan is for Richardson to return "at some point" in training camp. "Doctors, trainers checked it out," Steichen explained. "He's got some aggravation in his AC joint. So we're gonna sit him out this week. Obviously, he'll sit out for minicamp. We'll see when he comes back. Not gonna put a timetable for training camp on it, but when he does come back, we'll ease him into throwing, and then we'll go from there. The good thing is he's not gonna need a procedure right now." Richardson, the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, is expected to battle Daniel Jones for the Colts' starting quarterback job this season. "Obviously, it's frustrating, but he is in good spirits," Steichen said. "So we're working through it right now." Richardson, 23, enters his third season with 15 starts under his belt (8-7 record), a 50.6 completion percentage, 11 touchdown passes, 10 rushing touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 12 fumbles (four lost). He completed 47.7 percent of his passes in 2024, historically bad from an accuracy perspective and easily the worst among NFL starters. He had 10 or fewer completions in six of the 11 games he appeared in last season. --Field Level Media
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) out until November
June 5 - Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez will not return from his knee injury until November, head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday. "He's not going to be starting the season out," Campbell said when asked about a timetable for Rodriguez, who tore his right ACL in last year's Thanksgiving game. "Conservatively? November. ... Yeah, that's probably the best way to say it. Probably November. Somewhere in there." Rodriguez, 26, recorded 43 tackles and 2.0 sacks in 10 games (six starts) before sustaining the season-ending injury in Detroit's 23-20 holiday victory over the rival Chicago Bears in Week 13. The 2022 sixth-round draft pick has tallied 151 tackles, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 43 career games (24 starts) for the Lions. --Field Level Media
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Former NFL star and Fox analyst Jonathan Vilma arrested in Miami
Former NFL linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been arrested while driving in Miami this week, according to reports. The Fox NFL color analyst, 43, was detained Wednesday for driving with a suspended license, according to Andy Slater. Vilma, who won a college championship with the Miami Hurricanes, was reportedly stopped because his tag had expired. More to follow.
