Steve Kiner, a standout football player at the University of Tennessee, passed away on April 24 at 77.
He started playing for Tennessee in 1967 after a change in plans; he was initially set to go to Florida, but they pulled his scholarship offer.
Known for his hard-hitting style, he played alongside Jack Reynolds and Jackie Walker, and together they became one of the toughest linebacker groups in college football.
In 1968 and 1969, Kiner was honored as one of the best players in the SEC and the country.
He was the first player under coach Doug Dickey to be named a consensus All-American two years in a row.
Later, his achievements earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Steve Kiner’s Wife And Three Daughters Mourn His Loss
He is survived by his wife, Carol, and their three daughters.
It seems like these notices come in bunches. This is the third announcement of a departed classmate in the last week and second one today.
HHS Class of 1966 – The Departed
It saddens me to have to announce that our classmate Steve Kiner passed away this morning a little after 8am. He passed peacefully with his wife Carol by his side.
Please keep Steve’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
As details for any arrangements are made public they will be posted here.
Steve has been placed in the HHS Class of 1966 Memorial Album on our Remembrance Page.
Rest In Peace Terrier.
He went through some tough times in his life, where he once admitted that he felt like he’d lost who he was, and he came close to losing his NFL career, too.
But he turned things around. He built a solid life after football: got married, became a father to three daughters, and earned not one, but two master’s degrees.
Steve has dedicated himself to working in health care for the past two decades.
And here’s something you might not expect- this same guy, who was once known for his wild side (there’s even a story about him head-butting an usher at a concert), ended up leading emergency psychiatric services at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta.
Further, Carol Kiner stood up and joined the growing group of families demanding answers from the NFL.
She filed a legal complaint alongside her husband, former linebacker Steve Kiner.
She watched Steve give everything to football—his strength, health, and even parts of himself that never returned.
By joining the lawsuit, the duo not only asked for compensation but also fought for recognition and for all the players and loved ones living with the long-term effects of a game that gave so much but didn’t always protect its own.
Well, Carol saw how Steve’s career took him from team to team.
After starting with the Cowboys, he played for the Dolphins and then the Washington team, had another short stint with the Patriots, and eventually landed with the Houston Oilers in 1974.
Throughout his time in the league, Steve snagged 10 interceptions, adding to his impact on the field wherever he played.
Even though Kiner was known for his tough tackling, he never had an official concussion diagnosis.
However, he had confessed that he took hits hard enough to “shake him up” about a dozen times every season.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- During his three seasons with the Volunteers, the team had an impressive 26-6-1 record and won SEC championships in 1967 and 1969.
- In 1970, the Dallas Cowboys selected Kiner in the third round of the NFL Draft.
- After his rookie season, he was traded to the New England Patriots, marking the next step in his professional football journey.
