Elbie Nickel

Elbert Everett "Elbie" Nickel (December 28, 1922 – February 27, 2007) was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played 11 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1947–1957).

Early life Nickel starred in three sports at the University of Cincinnati – he was an end on the football team, a top scorer on the basketball team and a pitcher-outfielder in baseball. His education was put on hold by Army service in World War II. Nickel returned to the University of Cincinnati at the conclusion of World War II and was part of the 1946 University of Cincinnati football team that played in the 1947 Sun Bowl where the University of Cincinnati defeated Virginia Tech. This was the first bowl game for the University of Cincinnati.

Professional career Entering the 1947 NFL Draft, Nickel was listed at 6'1" and 196 lbs, minuscule for a tight end nowadays, but the game was different back then, and the Steelers would take Nickel in the 17th round with the 149th overall pick. Nickel's career with the Steelers almost didn't happen, since he received an offer from the local Cincinnati Reds to play baseball, but Nickel opted to sign with Pittsburgh and play football instead of baseball. Generally considered one of the best tight ends in Steelers' history, Nickel recorded 329 career receptions as a tight end and is now second in career receptions by a Steelers' tight end behind Heath Miller (490). Nickel was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, 1952, 1953 and 1956. In conjunction with the 2007 celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Steelers, Nickel was selected as one of 33 players on the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team.

Honors Nickel was selected to the Pittsburgh Steelers' Hall of Honor in 2019 along with tight end, tackle Larry Brown, coach Bill Cowher and wide receiver Hines Ward. In 2022, Nickel was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1947 PIT 11 1 1 10 10.0 10 0 1948 PIT 12 7 22 324 14.7 35 1 1949 PIT 12 10 26 633 24.3 52 3 1950 PIT 12 12 22 527 24.0 65 4 1951 PIT 12 12 28 447 16.0 77 3 1952 PIT 12 12 55 884 16.1 54 9 1953 PIT 12 12 62 743 12.0 40 4 1954 PIT 12 12 40 584 14.6 52 5 1955 PIT 12 12 36 488 13.6 30 2 1956 PIT 12 12 27 376 13.9 47 5 1957 PIT 12 4 10 115 11.5 31 1 Career 131 106 329 5,131 15.6 77 37