Myron Pottios

Last updated

Myron Pottios
No. 66
Myron Pottios 1961.jpg
Date of birth (1939-01-18) January 18, 1939 (age 85)
Place of birth Van Voorhis, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
Position(s) Linebacker
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight232 lb (105 kg)
US college Notre Dame
AFL draft 1961 / round: 3 / pick: 21
Drafted by Oakland Raiders
NFL draft 1961 / round: 2 / pick: 19
Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
Career history
As player
1961–1965 Pittsburgh Steelers
1966–1970 Los Angeles Rams
1971–1973 Washington Redskins
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Myron Joseph Pottios (born January 18, 1939) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was elected to play in three Pro Bowls.

Contents

Early life

Pottios attended Charleroi High School in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Pottios played fullback and linebacker for the Cougars, and was on the 1956 team that had a perfect regular season record and advanced to the WPIAL Class AA final. In 2016, the Charleroi Area School District officially named its stadium after Pottios. [1]

College career

Pottios played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he played offensive line and linebacker. [1] He was a team captain at Notre Dame. [2] Some experts saw Pottios as a potential top NFL pick at offensive guard. [3] He was drafted in the second round of the 1961 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (19th overall), also in the third round of the 1961 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders (20th overall). He chose to play in Pittsburgh. [4]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pottios became the starting middle linebacker of the Pittsburgh Steelers from his rookie year, 1961, up to 1965. [5] In his rookie year, he played in all 14 games, intercepting 2 passes and recovering 1 fumble for a defense that was 7th among 14 NFL teams in points allowed. He did not play in 1962 because of a broken arm. [4] [6] In 1963, he played in all 14 games, intercepting 4 passes [4] for a defense that finished 8th among 14 NFL teams in points allowed, playing alongside rookie outside linebacker Andy Russell.

In September 1964, he suffered a broken arm in the exhibition Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. [6] He played in only 7 of 14 games, intercepting 1 pass and recovering 1 fumble [7] for a defense that finished 9th among 14 NFL teams in points allowed. In 1965, he again was injured in a preseason game. [8] He played in only 6 games, intercepting no passes and with no fumble recovery [7] for a defense that finished 12th among 14 NFL teams in points allowed and a team that ended the season at 2-12.

In 1963, Pottios was selected first team All Pro by the Sporting News and NEA, and second team by the Associated Press. [9] He was in three Pro Bowls (1961, 1963-1964). [4] [9] In January 1964, for the first time NFL players themselves voted on an all star team. Pottios was one of the players chosen at linebacker. [10]

Los Angeles Rams

In contrast, when Pottios joined the Rams from 1966 to 1970, with George Allen as head coach, they were above the .500 mark throughout the period and made the playoffs twice, in 1967 and 1969, with won-lost records of 11-1-2 and 11-3, respectively. Pottios was the starting middle linebacker from 1967 to 1970, playing between outside linebackers Jack Pardee and Maxie Baughan throughout. In 1966, Pottios played in 12 games, but was the backup middle linebacker to the 37-year-old Bill George who played in all 14 games. In 1967, he played 11 of 14 games, intercepting 1 pass and recovering 1 fumble [7] for the best defense in the league among 16 NFL teams in points allowed. That team lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, [4] in which Pottios started at middle linebacker. In 1968, he played all 14 games, recovering 4 fumbles [7] for a defense that finished 3rd among 16 NFL teams in points allowed. But, in 1969, he played in only 5 of 14 games, [7] replaced by Doug Woodlief. That team lost to the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round [4] with Woodlief as the starter. In 1970, his final year with the Rams, he regained his starting middle linebacker position, playing in all 14 games, with 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles recovered [7] for a defense that finished 4th among 26 NFL teams in points allowed.

Washington Redskins

Pottios, along with Jack Pardee, Maxie Baughan, Diron Talbert, John Wilbur and Jeff Jordan, followed head coach George Allen to the Redskins which also acquired a 1971 fifth-round pick (124th overall–traded to Green Bay Packers for Boyd Dowler) from the Rams for Marlin McKeever, first and third rounders in 1971 (10th and 63rd overall– Isiah Robertson and Dave Elmendorf respectively) and third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounders in 1972 (73rd, 99th, 125th, 151st and 177th overall–to New England Patriots, traded to Philadelphia Eagles for Joe Carollo, Bob Christiansen, Texas Southern defensive tackle Eddie Herbert and to New York Giants respectively) on January 28, 1971. [11] [12]

Playing up to 1973, his team reached the playoffs all three years, inserted between outside linebackers Pardee (1971–72) or Dave Robinson (1973) and Chris Hanburger (1971–73). In 1971, Pottios played in all 14 games and had one interception for a defense that finished 4th of 26 teams in the NFL in points allowed. That team lost a divisional round game to the San Francisco 49ers in which Pottios started. In 1972, he played in only 7 games of 14 games, replaced by Harold McLinton, and recovered 1 fumble for a defense that finished 3rd of 26 teams in the NFL in points allowed. However, Pottios was the starting middle linebacker in all 3 playoff games the Redskins played that year, when they won a divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers and the NFC championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, [4] in which the Roger Staubach-led Cowboys were limited to a miserable 169 yards of total offense and 3 points. However, Washington lost Super Bowl VII to the Miami Dolphins 14–7, [4] in which they could not handle the running attack led by Larry Csonka. In 1973, his final year in the NFL, he played in only 6 of 14 games, but started a divisional round match against the Minnesota Vikings, losing his final game.

For his career, Pottios had 12 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. [4] [9]

Coaching

Pottios coached under Willie Wood for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League, that lasted less than two years. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl IX</span> 1975 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl IX was an American football game played between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1974 season. The game was played on January 12, 1975, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Steelers defeated the Vikings by the score of 16–6 to win their first Super Bowl championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Porter</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Joseph Eugene Porter Sr. is an American professional football coach and former player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado State Rams and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers and was also a member of the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers drafted his son, Joey Porter Jr., with the thirty-second overall selection of the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick LeBeau</span> American football player and coach (born 1937)

Charles Richard LeBeau is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL) He was active at field level in the NFL for 59 consecutive seasons, 14 playing as a cornerback with the Detroit Lions and 45 as a coach. LeBeau spent the majority of his coaching career as a defensive assistant, most notably as the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Described as an "innovator" and "defensive football genius", he is considered to be one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Schmidt (American football)</span> American football player and coach (1932–2024)

Joseph Paul Schmidt was an American professional football player and coach. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions for 13 years from 1953 to 1965. He won two NFL championships with the Lions, and, between 1954 and 1963, he played in ten consecutive Pro Bowl games and was selected each year as a first-team All-Pro player. He was also voted by his fellow NFL players as the NFL's most valuable defensive player in 1960 and 1963, named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and chosen as a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.

Carnell Augustino Lake is an American former professional football player and coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He was a safety and cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He is a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was the cornerbacks coach for the UCLA Bruins under head coach Rick Neuheisel in 2009 before leaving after one season for family reasons. He was the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach until February 2018.

Maxie Callaway Baughan Jr. was an American professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Redskins. Baughan played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Robert Dean Boyd was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). Boyd spent his entire nine-year career as a cornerback for the Baltimore Colts from 1960 to 1968. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hanburger</span> American football player (born 1941)

Christian G. Hanburger Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played his entire 14-year career with the Washington Redskins, from 1965 through 1978, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

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

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers the following year, and played in Super Bowl XLV two years later. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isiah Robertson</span> American football player (1949–2018)

Isiah "Butch" Robertson was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams (1971–1978) and the Buffalo Bills (1979–1982). He was selected to six Pro Bowls during his years with the Rams. He had 25 career interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, scoring a fourth touchdown on a fumble recovery in 1978. According to Rams and Bills records, Robertson also sacked the quarterback 24+1⁄2 times and forced 16 fumbles in his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Durant</span> American football player (born 1985)

Justin Ryan Durant is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hampton Pirates and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.

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

Jarvis Jerrell Jones is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, and was recognized as a consensus All-American twice. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, playing for them for four seasons before retiring following a short stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.

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

Bobby Joseph Wagner is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah State Aggies and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Wagner also played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Matakevich</span> American football player (born 1992)

Tyler John Matakevich is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple. He was selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minkah Fitzpatrick</span> American football player (born 1996)

Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft before being traded to the Steelers during the 2019 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Watt</span> American football player (born 1994)

Trent Jordan Watt is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before being selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayon Brown</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jayon Lee Brown is an American football middle linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft, after playing college football at UCLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cole Holcomb</span> American football player (born 1996)

Cole Holcomb is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Queen</span> American football player (born 1999)

Patrick Queen is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected 28th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Highsmith</span> American football player (born 1997)

Alex Highsmith is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Charlotte.

References

  1. 1 2 Burchianti, Rob (September 1, 2016). "Naming of Pottios Stadium caps whirlwind couple of weeks for Charleroi". Herald-Standard. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Russell, Fred (September 10, 1960). "pigskin preview '60'". Saturday Evening Post: 72.
  3. ↑ "Experts' All-America". Time Magazine. 76 (24).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Steward, Wayne (March 9, 2016). "Charleroi grad Pottios had strong NFL career". Herald-Standard. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ "So, in the East: Browns? Cardinals? Cowboys?". Sports Illustrated. 21 (10). September 7, 1964.
  6. 1 2 "Lions Send Brettschneider To Steelers for Draft Pick". New Yorik Times. September 8, 1964.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Myron Pottios". statscrew.com.
  8. ↑ Maule, Tex; Sharnik, Morton H. (September 13, 1965). "PITTSBURGH STEELERS". Sports Illustrated. 23 (11).
  9. 1 2 3 "Myron Pottios". Pro Football Reference.
  10. ↑ "Tittle, Shofner Make All-Stars; 3 Other Giants and 4 Bears Named in Poll of Players". New York Times. January 5, 1964.
  11. ↑ Wallace, William N. "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers," The New York Times, Friday, January 29, 1971. Retrieved November 1, 2020
  12. ↑ 1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1–7) & 29 (Rounds 8–17) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 1, 2020
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.