The Crystal Ball The Curtain Comes Down

Just a small note of major import that needs to be mentioned to one and all who are fans of Pittsburgh sports. I found out today that one of the original members of the Steel Curtain, Dwight White, passed away yesterday.

Dwight White, affectionately known as Mad Dog, passed away at age 58 due to complications that arose from a recent back surgery. White was one of the key members of the original Steel Curtain, which included L.C. Greenwood, “Mean” Joe Greene, and Ernie Holmes.

Holmes passed away this January, the cause being a single car accident in his home state of Texas.

The passing of White now brings an end to the storied and larger than life lives of two members of the Steel Curtain. White, a great quote an interview (if you doubt this catch any episode of America’s Game or any Steelers retrospective in which he is involved) was a ferocious competitor. White played in his first Super Bowl while suffering from pneumonia and a lung infection. In the week preceding the game, White lost 18 pounds yet played the entire game and scored the first points of Super Bowl IX on a safety.

Like many former Steelers, White remained in the Pittsburgh area to build a life for himself after his playing days ended, becoming a part of the rich tapestry that makes up western Pennsylvania.

I was watching an NFL Films showing of Greatest Games in the NFL, this episode featuring the Steelers/Cowboys clash in Super Bowl XIII, when I found out about White’s passing. Not long before the news broke on the screen, I saw White defiantly speaking about how he had no apologies toward beating the Cowboys, again, in the Super Bowl and the best team obviously won. This made the news of his death all the more poignant to me.

Mad Dog, Steeler Nation will miss you fiercely. Thank you for the joy, thrills and pride you have given us while you played and in the years after your retirement. Our condolences go out to your family. Say hello to the Ranger, Ernie, Webby and Myron for us. We miss you all.