Myron Pottios

Myron Joseph Pottios (born January 18, 1939) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was elected to play in three Pro Bowls.

Early life Pottios was born on January 18, 1939, in Van Voorhis, Pennsylvania. He attended Charleroi High School in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he starred in football, and played basketball. Pottios played fullback, center, and linebacker for the Cougars' football team, and was on the 1956 team that had a perfect regular season record and advanced to the WPIAL Class AA final.

College career Pottios played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he played offensive line at guard and starred at linebacker.

Professional career Some experts saw Pottios as a potential top NFL pick at offensive guard. He was drafted in the second round of the 1961 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (19th overall), also in the third round of the 1961 AFL draft by the Oakland Raiders (20th overall). He chose to play in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers Pottios became the starting middle linebacker of the Pittsburgh Steelers from his rookie year, 1961, up to 1965. In his rookie year, he played in all 14 games, intercepting 2 passes and recovering 1 fumble for a defense that was 7th among 14 NFL teams in points allowed. He did not play in 1962 because of a broken arm. In 1963, he played in all 14 games, intercepting 4 passes playing alongside rookie outside linebacker Andy Russell.

In September 1964, he suffered a broken arm in the exhibition Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. for a defense that finished 9th among 14 NFL teams in points allowed. In 1965, he again was injured in a preseason game. He played in only 6 games, intercepting no passes and with no fumble recovery

In 1963, Pottios was selected first-team All-Pro by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press (AP), and first-team All-Conference by The Sporting News. He was in three Pro Bowls (1961, 1963-1964).

Los Angeles Rams In July 1966, the Steelers traded Pottios to the Rams for a high draft pick. In contrast to the Steelers, when Pottios joined the Rams from 1966 to 1970, with George Allen as head coach, they were above the .500 mark throughout the period.

In 1966, Pottios played in 12 games, but was the backup to future Hall of Fame middle linebacker, 37-year-old Bill George who played in all 14 games. and Maxie Baughan at right linebacker throughout. In 1967, Pottios played 11 of 14 games, intercepting one pass and recovering one fumble That team lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round,

In 1968, he played all 14 games, recovering 4 fumbles But, in 1969, he played in only 5 of 14 games after suffering a severely sprained toe. Not long after, he nearly died from head injuries in an automobile accident that resulted in Pottios receiving 200 stitches in his face and neck, and suffering a punctured right eye. He was replaced at middle linebacker by backup Doug Woodlief for the season; in what would be Woodlief's final season in the NFL because of a knee injury he could not overcome even after off-season surgery.

The Rams drafted middle linebacker Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds as the team's first pick in the 1970 NFL draft. In 1970, Pottios regained his starting middle linebacker position, and started all 14 games. On the season, he had two interceptions and two fumbles recovered, playing for a defense that finished tied for 2nd among 26 NFL teams in points allowed. However, though Reynolds did not become the starting middle linebacker until 1973, this was Pottios's final year with the Rams.

Washington Redskins In 1971, Allen became head coach of the Washington Redskins. He engineered a multi-player trade that included Washington receiving the entire linebacker group of Pottios, Pardee and Baughan (who retired

Pottios played from 1971 to 1973 in Washington, his team reaching the playoffs all three years. He once again played next to left linebacker Pardee (1971-72), He also played next to future Hall of Fame right linebacker Chris Hanburger (1971 to 73).

In 1971, Pottios started all 14 games and had one interception for a defense that finished 4th of 26 teams in the NFL in points allowed. That team lost a divisional round game to the San Francisco 49ers, 24–20, in which Pottios started. In 1972, he played in 12 games, starting seven, but had been replaced by Harold McLinton to begin the season. Pottios became a starter again after McClinton was injured. He recovered one fumble for a defense that finished 3rd of 26 teams in the NFL in points allowed. However, Washington lost Super Bowl VII to the Miami Dolphins 14–7. Washington's defense gave up only 69 net passing yards, but 184 rushing yards in 37 attempts, including a 49-yard run by Larry Csonka, who had 112 rushing yards in 15 attempts. Pottios had five solo tackles in the game.

In 1973, his final year in the NFL, Pottios started in six games during the regular season, and started a divisional round match against the Minnesota Vikings, losing his final game.

For his 12-year career, Pottios had 12 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries and 10 quarterback sacks.

Coaching Pottios coached under Willie Wood for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League, that lasted less than two years.