Throwback Thursday: Dermontii Dawson’s HOF career with Steelers

Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series as we revisit these moments.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not only one of the top NFL teams to have had success finding and fielding great centers – the anchors of an offensive line – but are also well represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This week, we throwback to the career of Dermontti Dawson.

“I probably never would have played football…”

Dawson, a Lexington (Kentucky) native, didn’t have early goals to have a major career in professional football. In fact, while at Bryan Station High, he had an early disappointing experience with football and focused on track and field. In an interview, Dawson admitted:

“I probably never would have played high school football if it hadn’t been for my high school coach, Steve Parker, because I was a shot and discus All-American, and I had more scholarship offers for track and field than football.”

As a junior, Dawson returned to football and became an All-State offensive tackle. Due to his size and strength, the University of Kentucky saw a prospect they could work into their system.

The Wildcats utilized Dawson at guard and center. Lettering in each of his four years, Dawson was named second-team All-SEC as a senior in 1987.

Dawson attended the Pro Football Scouting Combine in 1988 and his measurables and stats were as follows:

• Height/Weight: 6′, 2″, 272 pounds
• Arm length: 32+7/8″
• Hand span: 9+7/8″
• 40-yard dash: 4.94 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.77 seconds
• 20-yard shuttle: 4.34 seconds

The Steelers selected Dawson in the 1988 NFL Draft in the second round with the 44th pick.

“My first goal when I came into the league was to be a starter,” Dawson said. “And, once I became a starter, then I wanted to be a consistent starter, and I wanted guys to respect me for how I play the game and the way I play the game.”

Playing beside a legend to becoming one

When Dawson joined the Steelers, Pittsburgh already had a well-respected and legendary center in Mike Webster. So, in his injury-shortened (8 games, 5 starts) rookie season, Dawson played guard. Webster, who had been tutored by Ray Mansfield, a four-time Super Bowl champion, entered free agency following the 1988 season and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. The move opened the door for Dawson to slide to center in Pittsburgh.

Earning the nickname “Dirt” – an homage to the way he’d force defenders to the ground – Dawson started all 16 games for the Steelers between 1989-1998.

“He had all of the physical tools that were necessary – balance, strength, everything.The one thing that always impressed me was his ability to handle a nose tackle by himself… The great centers, and there aren’t many of them, block the nose tackle all by themselves, and Dermontti was one of those guys. That’s what makes him so special.” – Dan Dierdorf (Hall of Fame offensive tackle & CBS analyst at Dawson’s induction

Dawson earned the respect of his teammates and definitely his opponents.

“The argument used to be back in the early 1980s about who was better, Mike Webster or Dwight Stephenson. Dwight was a great center because he was so athletic. Webbie was a great center because he was so strong and tough and smart. You put those two guys together and you have Dermontti Dawson.” – Tunch Ilkin