On Wednesday, we got the news that another former Pittsburgh Steelers player passed away. That would be former running back, Sidney Thornton. His cause of death wasn't disclosed, as he was 68 years old at the time of the passing. Thornton spent all six of his NFL seasons in Pittsburgh in the late 1970's, early 1980's. Of course, that was the heyday of some of the best Steelers teams of all-time.
Credit: Matthew Sunday
Thornton shared the backfield with some fellow team legends in Rocky Bleier and Hall of Fame tailback, Franco Harris. He was essentially the unsung hero of the group, willing to do whatever it took to win for head coach, Chuck Noll. Thornton was able to help Pittsburgh get two Super Bowl rings in his six-year tenure. His best year came in 1979, the same season the Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
Thornton had 816 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns in just 13 regular season contests. He was able to overtake Bleier as the second option in the Steelers' rushing attack, with Harris still getting most of the carries. That same year, he had his best career postseason game, racking up 86 total yards and and a touchdown in the opening game of the playoffs.
That touchdown would end up being the only TD he ever scored in seven career postseason contests. The performance helped blow out Dan Marino, Don Shula, and the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers would go on to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, going back-to-back in 1978 and 1979. For his career, Thornton would end with 2,027 yards from scrimmage and 24 total touchdowns.
Former Steelers RB Sidney Thornton was led by legendary head coach Chuck Noll. Credit: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
After his retirement in 1982, Thornton actually came back to play one more season in the pros. It wasn't with the Steelers or even elsewhere in the NFL, but rather he opted to join the USFL. He spent one season with the Oklahoma Outlaws, where he ran for 288 yards on 101 carries and four rushing TD's. Thornton continued to show how underrated he was in the passing game as well, racking up 25 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown.
Rest in peace to Thornton, an underrated legend in the city of Pittsburgh!
If you were around, what were your favorite memories of Sidney Thornton? How much of an unsung hero was he on those Steelers teams? Share your thoughts in memory of Thornton in the comment section below!
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