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Steve Kiner
No. 60,57     
Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1947-06-12) June 12, 1947 (age 76)
Place of birth: Sandstone, Minnesota
Career information
College: Tennessee
NFL Draft: 1970 / Round: 3 / Pick: 73
Debuted in 1970 for the [[{{{debutteam}}}]]
Last played in 1978 for the [[{{{finalteam}}}]]
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NFL.com
College Football Hall of Fame

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. Kiner attended the University of Tennessee from 1967 to 1969, where he was an All-American. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Early years[]

At Hillsborough High School (Tampa, Florida), he was All-Conference and All-State on both offense (quarterback) and defense (linebacker). Kiner went on to play for the University of Tennessee, where he became a three-year starter, was named SEC Sophomore of the Year in 1967, All-SEC and All-America in 1968 and 1969. 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's Defensive Player of the Year award.

In 1999 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was named Tennessee's all-100 year team.

Professional career[]

Dallas Cowboys[]

Kiner was drafted in the third round 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 pick.

New England Patriots (first stint)[]

With the Patriots he lasted just one season, where he became a starter and had 4 interceptions. In 1972 he was expelled from training camp in by head coach John Mazur, trading him to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for defensive lineman Bill Griffin.[1]

Miami Dolphins[]

The Miami Dolphins waived him before training camp ended.

Washington Redskins[]

The Washington Redskins claimed him for their taxi squad, before being released on September 1973.[2]

New England Patriots (second stint)[]

In 1973, he was claimed by the Patriots and played one season, before being traded to the Houston Oilers.[3]

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".[4] He was waived before the 1979 season started.

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.

References[]

External links[]


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