Brian Blankenship

Last updated

Brian Blankenship
No. 60
Position: Guard
Personal information
Born:(1963-04-07)April 7, 1963
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:286 lb (130 kg)
Career information
High school: Bellevue (NE) Gross
College: Nebraska
Undrafted: 1986
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:61
Games started:38
Fumble recoveries:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Brian Blankenship (born April 7, 1963) is a former professional American football player who spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

Career

Blankenship played guard for five seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Upon joining the Steelers in 1987, Blankenship was in line to assume the role of successor to long-time Steelers center Mike Webster. Blankenship, who had played beside Webster, compared the experience of playing beside Webster like "going back to school" and "like having your big brother there in a fight". [1]

In week thirteen of the 1987 season, Blankenship and fellow guard John Rienstra were playing on special teams when they were lined up against newly drafted Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bozworth. Bozworth, at the time was famous for his flamboyant attitude and rat-tail hairstyle, was double-teamed on a first-quarter kickoff [2] by both Blankenship and Rienstra when Blankenship reached behind Bozworth's helmet and ripped the tail from Bozworth's head and took it to the Steelers' sideline as a "trophy". When asked if he kept the trophy, Blankenship responded "I threw it away with all the other trash. It was Bosworth’s, it ain’t worth nothing." The estimated two-foot tail was compared to "a Neo-Nazi thing...made of twine". Blankenship then compared Bozworth's rat-tail as an item used to distract from his lack of talent, something that followed him since college. [1]

A neck injury in the fourth week of the 1991 NFL season against the New England Patriots forced Blankenship to miss the remaining 13 games of the season. Blankenship had actually verbally agreed to a new contract a day earlier, but never signed the paperwork. After informing Steelers President Dan Rooney of his injury, Rooney wished him well, thanked him for his service, and allowed Blankenship to go "across the hall to get taken care of. [3] "

Personal Life

Spouses Michel Marrara (m. 1990; div. 2021) Children Olivia Ruth Blankenship

Michelle Jacoby (m. 2022–present) Children (By Marriage) Savannah Grace Dervis

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Steelers</span> National Football League franchise in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in 1933, the Steelers are the seventh-oldest franchise in the NFL, and the oldest franchise in the AFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art Rooney</span> American football player, executive, and owner (1901–1988)

Arthur Joseph Rooney Sr., often referred to as "the Chief", was an American professional football executive. He was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football franchise in the National Football League (NFL), from 1933 until his death. Rooney is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was an Olympic qualifying boxer, and was part or whole owner in several track sport venues and Pittsburgh area pro teams. He was the first president of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1933 to 1974, and the first chairman of the team from 1933 to 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Noll</span> American football player and coach (1932–2014)

Charles Henry Noll was an American professional football player and head coach. Regarded as one of the greatest head coaches of all time, his sole head coaching position was for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1969 to 1991. When Noll retired after 23 years, only three other head coaches in NFL history had longer tenures with one team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerome Bettis</span> American football player (born 1972)

Jerome Abram Bettis Sr. is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed "the Bus" due to his large size and forceful running style, he played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL draft. Bettis was a member of the Rams for three seasons before being traded to the Steelers, where he spent the remainder of his career. A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time first-team All-Pro selection, he is regarded as one of the greatest power runners of all time and ranks eighth in NFL rushing yards. He retired in 2006 after helping the Steelers win a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XL, the franchise's first in over two decades. Bettis was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Faneca</span> American football player (born 1976)

Alan Joseph Faneca is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned consensus All-America honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, he was introduced as the head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Webster</span> American football player (1952–2002)

Michael Lewis Webster was an American professional football center in the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, class of 1997. Nicknamed "Iron Mike", Webster anchored the Steelers' offensive line during much of their run of four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979 and is considered by many the greatest center in NFL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Henry Johnson</span> American gridiron football player (1929–2011)

John Henry Johnson was an American professional football player who was a running back. He was known for his excellence at the fullback position as both a runner and a blocker. His first professional stint was in Canada in the Western Interprovincial Football Union for one season with the Calgary Stampeders. He then played in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Pittsburgh Steelers before spending his final season in the American Football League (AFL) with the Houston Oilers. Commonly referred to as simply John Henry, an allusion to the folk hero of the same name, Johnson was a tough and tenacious player who performed at a high level well into the tail end of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trai Essex</span> American football player (born 1982)

Trai Jamar Essex is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Andrews</span> American football player (born 1982)

Shawn Cornelius Andrews is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and was a two-time consensus All-American. Philadelphia selected him in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, and he earned two Pro Bowl selections during his career. He was inducted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Harrison (American football)</span> American football player (born 1978)

James Henry Harrison Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Harrison won two Super Bowls with the Steelers: XL and XLIII. In 2008, he became the only undrafted player to be named Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Harrison was known for his hard-hitting style during games.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are an American football franchise representing Pittsburgh. They are the seventh-oldest club in the National Football League (NFL), which they joined in 1933. The only surviving NFL teams with a longer history are the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders. The Philadelphia Eagles joined the league concurrently with the Steelers in 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Tomlin</span> American football coach (born 1972)

Michael Pettaway Tomlin is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Since joining the Steelers in 2007, he has led the team to 11 playoff appearances, seven division titles, three AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowl appearances, and a title in Super Bowl XLIII. At age 36, Tomlin became the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl, a record which was later broken by Sean McVay in Super Bowl LVI. Tomlin holds the record for most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a coaching career with 17 and has never had a losing season. Only Tom Landry (21) and Bill Belichick (19) have had longer such streaks at any point in their coaching careers. Upon Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots following the 2023 season, Tomlin is the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach.

Daniel Anthony Turk was an American football center and long snapper in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Raymond Earl Pinney Jr. is an American former professional football offensive tackle and guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1976 NFL draft and started for them during their Super Bowl XIII victory. He also spent three seasons in the United States Football League (USFL).

The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League (NFL), themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."

Todd Alexander Kalis is an American former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He was an offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings (1988–1993), Pittsburgh Steelers (1994) and Cincinnati Bengals (1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Wood</span> American football player (born 1986)

Eric Wood is an American former professional football player who was a center for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Bills with the 28th overall pick. Wood played nine seasons in the NFL, including a Pro Bowl appearance, before retiring following the 2017 season due to a neck injury. Since 2019, he has been the color commentator and analyst on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurkice Pouncey</span> American football player (born 1989)

LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey is an American former professional football center who played for 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, where he was a member of a BCS National Championship team, recognized as a consensus All-American, and won the 2009 Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the best college football center. He was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Pouncey was a nine-time Pro Bowler and named to five All-Pro teams, and was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He is the twin brother of former NFL center Mike Pouncey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David DeCastro</span> American football player (born 1990)

David William DeCastro is an American former professional football player who was a guard for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, and he was considered one of the best guard prospects available. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection with the Steelers.

The Pennsylvania Polka refers to a series of moves affecting the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers franchises in the National Football League (NFL) from 1940 to 1941.

References

  1. 1 2 "The 1987 Season continues..." Steelers.uk. December 1987. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  2. ↑ Brian Schmitz (December 10, 1987). "Gibbs' Record On Current Events: 0-2". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Brian Blankenship, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1987-1991". Pittsburgh Sports Bulletin. October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2011.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.