By Darin - A position-redefining center whose rare combination of elite power and agile athleticism revolutionized downfield blocking in the NFL.
DERMONTTI DAWSON
Born to Gridiron Greatness
June 17, 1965, in Lexington, Kentucky, marked the birth of Dermontti Farra Dawson. Growing up in the heart of the Bluegrass State, Dawson attended Bryan Station High School. Though he initially focused on track and field, his imposing size and natural athleticism eventually drew him to the high school gridiron as a junior, setting him on an unmistakable path toward football immortality.
College Career
Dawson chose to stay home for his collegiate career, accepting a scholarship to play for the University of Kentucky Wildcats from 1984 to 1987. Demonstrating his versatility across the offensive front, he lettered all four years while playing both guard and center. He helped lead the Wildcats to a victory over Wisconsin in the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl. By his senior season in 1987, Dawson’s dominant blocking style earned him Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors, capturing the attention of professional scouts nationwide.
Road to the Pro Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Dawson in the second round with the 44th overall pick of the 1988 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he broke into the professional ranks playing right guard alongside legendary Hall of Fame center Mike Webster. When Webster departed after the 1988 season, Dawson seamlessly transitioned to center full-time in 1989. He would spend his entire illustrious 13-year professional career (1988–2000) anchoring the offensive line in the Steel City.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
Dawson built a resume that ranks among the most decorated of any offensive lineman in modern professional football history.
- Games Played/Started: 184 regular-season games played, featuring 181 starts.
- Durability: Maintained a streak of 170 consecutive games played, the second-longest streak in Steelers history.
- Pro Bowl Selections: 7 consecutive selections (1992–1998).
- First-Team All-Pro: 6 consecutive honors from the Associated Press (1993–1998).
- Major Honors: Named NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year (1996) and co-AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFLPA (1993).
- Hall of Fame Enshrinement: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2012.