Weight 100 kg Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Career end 1978 | College: Tennessee Position Linebacker Name Steve Kiner Nominations Heisman Trophy | |
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Date of birth: (1947-06-12) June 12, 1947 (age 68) NFL draft: 1970 / Round: 3 / Pick: 73 Role American football linebacker Education Hillsborough High School (1966), University of Tennessee | ||
Place of birth: Sandstone, Minnesota | ||
Vols jersey countdown no 57 featuring steve kiner ron mccartney
Steven Albert Kiner (born June 12, 1947) is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and the Houston Oilers. He attended the University of Tennessee from 1967 to 1969, where he was an All-American. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Contents
- Vols jersey countdown no 57 featuring steve kiner ron mccartney
- Early years
- Dallas Cowboys
- New England Patriots first stint
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Redskins
- New England Patriots second stint
- Houston Oilers
- Personal life
- References
Early years
Kiner attended Hillsborough High School (Tampa, Florida), where he was All-Conference and All-State on both offense (quarterback) and defense (linebacker).
He accepted a football scholarship to play at the University of Tennessee, where he became a three-year starter, was named SEC Sophomore of the Year in 1967, All-SEC and All-American in 1968 and 1969.
In 1968, he posted 12 tackles and 2 interceptions while playing against the University of Mississippi with a broken wrist. His talent made Bear Bryant state, "the best in this league since Lee Roy Jordan played for us". In 1969, he was awarded the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award.
In 1999, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame and to the SEC Football Legends. In 1998, he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. In 1990, he was named to the “100 Years of Volunteers” All-time team.
Dallas Cowboys
Kiner was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft. He roomed with Duane Thomas in training camp, and was recognized for his special teams play as a rookie, including Super Bowl V.
In 1971, he clashed with Tom Landry, after Chuck Howley was convinced to come back from retirement and gave him the position Kiner thought he deserved, forcing the team to trade him to the New England Patriots in exchange for a fourth round draft choice (#90-Robert West) on July 23.
New England Patriots (first stint)
With the New England Patriots he lasted just one season, where he became a starter and had 4 interceptions. In 1972, he was expelled from training camp by head coach John Mazur and traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for defensive lineman Bill Griffin on August 4.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins waived Kiner before training camp ended on August 30, 1972.
Washington Redskins
On September 2, 1972, the Washington Redskins claimed him for their taxi squad. He was released on September 11, 1973.
New England Patriots (second stint)
On September 12, 1973, he was claimed by the New England Patriots and played one season. On January 30, 1974, he was traded to the Houston Oilers in exchange for a ninth round draft choice (#209-Ed McCartney).
Houston Oilers
Kiner turned his career around with the Houston Oilers, where he played five productive seasons and was credited by head coach Bum Phillips "for turning the Houston Oilers into winners". He was waived before the start of the season on August 27, 1979.
Personal life
After football he earned two master's degrees and got involved in health care, managing emergency psychiatric services for Emory Healthcare at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.