Ernie Stautner

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Ernest Alfred Stautner (April 20, 1925 – February 16, 2006) was a German-born American football player and coach who starred as a defensive tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Born in Prinzing-by-Cham, Bavaria in Germany, Stautner's family immigrated to Albany, New York when he was three years old. He served in the United States Marine Corps before attending Boston College, where he was a four-year starter as an offensive and defensive tackle. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1950.

After being selected in the second round of the 1950 NFL Draft, Stautner played his entire career with the Steelers from 1950 to 1963. Despite being small even for his day at 6-1 and 235 pounds, and playing on some bad teams, he was able to distinguish himself as one of the best defensive linemen of his era as he became the cornerstone of the Steelers bruising defense. Stautner was selected to nine Pro Bowls in his twelve-year career.

Stautner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on September, 13, 1969. Although the Steelers have 11 "unofficially retired" numbers removed from circulation (mostly from the dynasty years of the 1970s after Stautner retired), Stautner is the only player to ever have his number (70) officially retired by the Steelers since the team no longer retires jersey numbers.

From 1966 to 1988, he was an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys, and served as the team's defensive coordinator from 1973 to 1988. Stautner stayed on with the Cowboys from 1988 to 1989 as a scout and then coached the Dallas Texans, an Arena Football League team, from 1990 to 1991. Stautner was the defensive line coach for the Denver Broncos from 1991 to 1994. While with the Broncos, he coached under both Dan Reeves and Wade Phillips.

From 1995 to 1997, he returned to Germany to become head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe. He would guide the team to two consecutive World Bowls in 1995 and 1996, winning in 1995.

Stautner was elected post-humously by the Pittsburgh Steeler fans to the Steelers 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in November 2007. He was elected to this team with other greats such as Joe Greene, Lynn Swann and Terry Bradshaw, to name just a few.

Stautner died at a Carbondale, Colorado nursing home at age 80 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

He is survived by his wife, Jill Stautner of Colorado, daughters Tere Stautner of Texas and Carol Stautner Hinds, grandchildren Zachary Hinds, Alexander Hinds and Rachel Hinds of Colorado and grandchildren Danielle Stautner, Jodie Stautner and Joseph Stautner of Texas. He was predeceased by his son, Joseph Stautner.

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps portal

[edit] References

• Biography from Pittsburgh Steelers website
• San Diego Tribune "Ernie Stautner, Hall of Famer for Steelers, dies at 80 February 16, 2006

[edit] External links

• Pro Football Hall of Fame