Dermontti Dawson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Dawson earned the nickname 'Dirt' for the way he would try to grind defenders into the ground, but his friendly off-field demeanor led to a second nickname, Ned Flanders, after the annoyingly cheerful character from The Simpsons. He was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1998 and was a six-time AP First-team All-Pro. In 1993, he was named co-AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFLPA, and in 1996 he was named the NFL Alumni's Offensive Lineman of the Year. He played in 170 consecutive games, the second-most in Steelers history, until severe hamstring injuries forced him to sit out nine games in 1999 and seven more in 2000. He is the only player to have played in the two most lopsided games in the Browns–Steelers rivalry, getting his first career start at center in the Steelers' 51–0 loss to the Cleveland Browns at home, but was victorious in the Steelers' 43–0 win against the Browns in Cleveland ten years later.

In Their Own Story

In his rookie season, Dawson played guard alongside Hall of Fame center Mike Webster. When Webster left the team following that season, Dawson succeeded him as the starting center. He soon became one of the more respected players among the Steelers, and one of the best in the league at his position. He earned the name 'Dirt' for the way he would try to grind defenders into the ground. In contrast, his friendly off-field demeanor led to a second nickname, Ned Flanders, after the annoyingly cheerful character from The Simpsons. Dawson was released by the Steelers following the 2000 season partly due to severe hamstring injuries and partly due to salary cap reasons. He opted to retire rather than trying to play for another team.

Reader's Guide

Dawson was selected 44th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. He played center and guard at Kentucky, lettering in each of his four years. In his freshman year in 1984 the team defeated Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl. As a senior in 1987 Dawson was named second-team All-SEC. He was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1998 and was a six-time AP First-team All-Pro. He was named the first-team center on the National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team. In 2007, he was selected for the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team as part of the franchise's 75th season celebration. The Steelers have not reissued Dawson's #63 Jersey since his retirement, though it has not been formally retired. His election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 was preceded by three consecutive times of being a finalist listed for the honor.

Did You Know?

• Dawson was born in Lexington, Kentucky and attended Bryan Station High School, where he was a nationally ranked track and field performer in the discus and shot put.
• After a bad experience playing ninth grade football, Dawson chose not to go out for his high school team his sophomore year, but joined as a junior after being recruited due to his size by the school's football coach.
• Dawson filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in 2010 listing over $69 million in liabilities against just under $1.5 million in assets.
• He served an internship in the Steelers scouting department in 2009 and served as an intern coach with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010.
• Dawson is a part owner of the Washington Wild Things, an independent league baseball team in Washington, Pennsylvania.