Cowboys Super Bowl Standout And Top Draft Pick Dies

FRISCO -  A former Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft pick and Super Bowl standout died on Thursday just before the start of the first round.

The Cowboys, the NFL and the college football world are now mourning the news of the passing of Steve Kiner, a two-time first-team All-American linebacker.

He was 77 years old.

Kiner was the No. 73 overall pick in the third round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and had a short but notable experience here.

His first roommate was Duane Thomas.

His high mark was special-teams play in the Super Bowl V loss to the Baltimore Colts by a 16-13 score.

His low mark in Dallas was a conflict with coach Tom Landry over playing time that eventually sent him away in trade after one season.

Kiner, who played in the NFL for nine seasons with Dallas, New England, Washington and Houston, was best known for his time with the Tennessee Volunteers, where he was a star performer.

Kiner was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and finished ninth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy while earning unanimous All-America honors.

Kiner was selected to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999, the SEC Legends class in 1999 and the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

Kiner was a "military brat'' who was born in Minnesota but became a high school sports sensation in Tampa Bay.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members at this time.