I was a two-year All-Mid America Conference linebacker at Kent State and a second-round draft selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974. At 6'4", 220-pounds, I immediately took charge by winning the starting middle linebacker assignment as a rookie and keeping it throughout my 11-year career in Pittsburgh that ended after the 1984 season.
I was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974. I was All-Pro eight times in a nine-year span between 1975 and 1983, and played in nine straight Pro Bowls. My impressive career also includes the fact that he was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.
As the team defensive captain for eight years, I played in six AFC championship games and four Super Bowls. My interception late in the fourth quarter preserved Pittsburgh's fourth NFL title victory in Super Bowl XIV. During my career, I had 28 interceptions, which I returned 243 yards. In 1976, I racked up eight opponents' fumble recoveries and wound up with 17 during my 11-year tenure.
I missed only six games because of injuries my first 10 years in the NFL but, in 1984, I suffered a severe toe injury, which limited my playing time to just eight games. It fucking hurt. I eventually was forced to retire at the end of the season.