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Steve Kiner, a former All-American linebacker at Tennessee and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, has died. He was 77.
Kiner’s career with the Vols began in 1967, joining the program as a sophomore after Florida revoked his scholarship offer. Under coach Doug Dickey, Kiner became an immediate impact player, earning SEC Sophomore of the Year.
Kiner was named All-SEC and All-America in 1968-69, becoming Dickey’s first player to be a two-time consensus All-American.
Kiner played high school football at Hillsborough in Tampa, Florida.
He was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1969, highlighted by 11 tackles, five sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in a 41-14 victory over Alabama.
He finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year.
Kiner was the leading tackler in his junior and senior seasons and had nine career interceptions. Tennessee went 26-6-1 in his three years and won two SEC titles in 1967 and 1969.
He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1970 NFL Draft, but he was traded to the New England Patriots after the season.
He bounced around teams, including stints with the Miami Dolphins, Washington, and a second run with New England, before he was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1974, where he spent the last four years of his career.
He had 10 career interceptions in the NFL.
In 1994, Kiner earned his PhD in clinical psychology, starting a practice in mental health therapy in Carrollton, Georgia.
In 1999, Kiner was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Kiner is also a member of the Tennessee…
Source link : https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/04/24/steve-kiner-tennessee-college-football-hall-of-fame-dies-all-american/3102424001/
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Publish date : 2025-04-24 20:27:00
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