Steve Kiner (57) Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Tennessee Talent
Steve Kiner is one of the first names that comes up when talking about great linebackers in Tennessee football history. In the late 1960s, he spent three seasons making life difficult for opposing offenses. Kiner was quick, tough, and truly loved the game. He played under Coach Doug Dickey from 1967 to 1969.
In 1967, Kiner was named SEC Sophomore of the Year, the same year the Vols won the SEC and finished ranked second in the nation. He led the team in tackles twice and finished his college career with nine interceptions.
Kiner covered a lot of ground from his linebacker spot and set a high bar for those who followed. Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant once called Kiner the best linebacker in the SEC during the late 1960s. Kiner was a two-time All-America and All-SEC pick and played in the 1970 Senior Bowl.
Kiner was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1970 and went on to play for Dallas, New England, Washington, and Houston before retiring in 1978. In 1990, Kiner was named to the “100 Years of Volunteers” all-time team, cementing his legacy at UT. He was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
Another Great # 57, Kevin Carter, Florida
One More Great #57 Stormin Norman Masters, Michigan State
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
