{"id":43805,"date":"2025-04-25T03:38:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T03:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=43805"},"modified":"2025-04-25T03:38:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T03:38:27","slug":"sad-news-former-dallas-cowboys-player-tragically-dies-before-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=43805","title":{"rendered":"SAD NEWS: Former Dallas Cowboys Player Tragically Dies Before NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dallas
Dallas Cowboys helmet (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The college football world, as well as the\u00a0NFL\u00a0world, is in mourning over the death of Steve Kiner.<\/p>\n

The former Tennessee and\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0linebacker passed away on Thursday, mere hours before the start of the\u00a0NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

He was 77.<\/p>\n

His cause of death was not revealed.<\/p>\n

Steve Kiner was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999, the SEC Legends class in 1999, and the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.<\/p>\n

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In the NFL, Kiner went 73rd overall to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

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He retired with 19.0 sacks, 10 interceptions, and eight fumble recoveries.<\/p>\n

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Steve Kiner Made His Name At Tennessee Before Heading To The NFL<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Jan 17, 1971; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jethro Pugh (75) and Steve Kiner (60) react as the Baltimore Colts celebrate after Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl. The Colts defeated the Cowboys 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former Tennessee linebacker and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Steve Kiner has passed away.<\/p>\n

He was 77 years old.<\/p>\n

Many fans might not know the name, but he was a stud.<\/p>\n

After playing the 1966 season with the freshman team, Kiner established himself as one of the SEC\u2019s most dominant linebackers from 1967 to 1969.<\/p>\n

With him playing on defense, the Volunteers captured two SEC championships and won 15 of their 18 conference matchups during that time. He was named 1967 SEC Sophomore of the Year and helped his squad earn a berth in the Orange Bowl.<\/p>\n

He was All-SEC and All-America in 1968 and 1969, becoming the first Tennessee player under head coach Doug Dickey to earn the consensus recognition twice.<\/p>\n

Steve Kiner was named 1969 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and finished ninth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.<\/p>\n

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He would go on to play nine seasons in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Houston Oilers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dallas Cowboys helmet (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) The college football world, as well as the\u00a0NFL\u00a0world, is in mourning over the death of Steve Kiner. 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