Steve Furness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stephen Robert Furness (born December 5, 1950, Providence, Rhode Island; died February 9, 2000, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions of the National Football League, and a member of the Steelers' famed Steel Curtain defense. He earned four Super Bowl rings.
Furness grew up in Rhode Island and played college football for the University of Rhode Island. The Steelers selected him in the fifth round of the 1972 NFL Draft. At first a backup to Joe Greene and Ernie Holmes, Furness replaced Holmes at defensive tackle in 1977 and started in Super Bowl XIII.
Furness was released by Pittsburgh after the 1980 season and played for the Lions in 1981 before retiring. He was an assistant coach for the Indianapolis Colts and Michigan State University, and was the Steelers' defensive line coach in 1992 and 1993.
Furness died of a heart attack on February 9, 2000.
