Monday, April 14, 2008

R.I.P., Buzz Nutter

Buzz Nutter ... and what a great name THAT is ... played center for the Steelers from 1961-65 and represented the Steelers in the Pro Bowl in 1962, back when it meant something.

Ol' Buzz was the last of the Steelers' starting centers who played before the run of legendary centers that included Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson and Jeff Hartings -- All-Pros, all, as was Buzz, for one year.

No other NFL team has had such a run -- so few players who were so excellent for so many years (decades) at any one position.

Rest in peace, Buzz Nutter. A tough guy, like the rest of us have had to be, for various reasons and in various ways, over the years. Joey Porter's Pit Bulls respect guys like that.

You could say Buzz ushered in that run of legendary centers, and has his own spot in the group photo. Pretty damn close to the center of that photo, too. As would be appropriate, and as would be appreciated by the likes of Mansfield, Webster, Dawson and Hartings.

Rest in peace, Buzz. Rest in peace.