By Darin 
What happens when you combine Old World work ethic with the grit of 1950s Pittsburgh? You get Ernie Stautner, a man who redefined the defensive tackle position through sheer durability and technical violence. Despite being considered “undersized” at 230 pounds, Stautner possessed a legendary threshold for pain and a motor that never quit, allowing him to dominate NFL trenches for 14 grueling seasons. From his birth in Bavaria to becoming the first player in Pittsburgh Steelers history to have his jersey number officially retired, Stautner remains the ultimate symbol of the “Steel City” identity.
Football Bio
April 20, 1925 – Prinzing-By-Cham, Bavaria – The stout defensive tackle from Boston College, Ernie Stautner, was born.
The Pittsburgh Steelers chose Ernie with the second overall selection in the 1950 NFL Draft, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Stautner anchored a formidable D-line in the steel city for 14 seasons. He was chosen as an All-NFL player four times in the back half of the 1950s, winning the honor of best NFL lineman in 1957, and played in nine Pro Bowl games. Stautner recovered 23 opponents’ fumbles and took part in creating 3 safeties during his dominant career.
Ernie Stautner was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Conclusion
Ernie Stautner’s career is a masterclass in professional longevity and interior dominance. In an era where players were expected to be “tough,” Stautner was legendary, famously playing through broken ribs, noses, and hands without missing a snap. His 14-year tenure in Pittsburgh bridged the gap between the pre-dynasty Steelers and the foundation of the physical culture that would eventually lead to the Steel Curtain. When he retired, his #70 was removed from circulation—a rare honor for a franchise that historically avoids retiring numbers. Stautner wasn’t just a defensive tackle; he was the heartbeat of Pittsburgh football for over a decade.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1969 (his first year of eligibility).
- Retired Number: His #70 is one of only three officially retired numbers in Pittsburgh Steelers history.
- NFL Best Lineman Award: 1957.
- 9× Pro Bowl Selection: (1952–1953, 1955–1961).
- 4× First-Team All-Pro: (1955, 1956, 1958, 1959).
- NFL 1950s All-Decade Team: Recognized as one of the era’s premier defensive players.
- Steelers All-Time Team: Named to the franchise’s 75th and 100th-anniversary teams.
- Fumble Recovery Expert: Logged 23 career fumble recoveries (ranked among the best ever for a defensive lineman).
- Durability Record: Played in 173 games over 14 seasons, missing very few contests despite the era’s physicality.
- Super Bowl Champion (As Coach): Won two rings (VI, XII) as the defensive coordinator/line coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
