Elbie Nickel

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end

What is Elbie Nickel known for?

Elbert Everett "Elbie" Nickel was a notable American football player born on December 28, 1922, in Fullerton, Kentucky. He pursued his high school education at McKell in South Shore, Kentucky, and later attended college at the University of Cincinnati. His athletic prowess wasn't restricted to just football; Nickel shone in basketball and baseball during his university years as well. His education took a brief pause during World War II when he served in the US Army, but he returned to finish his education afterward and was part of the University of Cincinnati football team that triumphed in their first-ever bowl game, the 1947 Sun Bowl.

Elbie Nickel began his professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, after being selected in the 1947 NFL Draft. While his 6'1" and 196 lbs. stature might be considered small for a modern-day tight end, Nickel utilized his athleticism to become one of the best tight ends in Steelers' history. His NFL career was notable, with 329 career receptions and 5,131 receiving yards, along with 37 touchdowns. Nickel's prowess on the field also led to him being selected for the Pro Bowl thrice in 1952, 1953, and 1956.

Despite receiving an offer to pursue a baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds, Nickel chose to stick with football, a decision that eventually saw him inducted into the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Hall of Honor in 2019. With a distinguished career spanning 11 seasons from 1947 to 1957, Nickel left an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh Steelers' history and the sport of football.

You can find more about Elbie Nickel at his Find a Grave memorial page. Read about his accomplishments within the Steelers' team on the NFL.com page. You can also check out articles by Ed Bouchette at Post-Gazette NOW News, Jim Wexell at 247Sports, and Mark Maynard at The Daily Independent.

For more information about his place of birth, Fullerton, Kentucky, you can visit Google Maps, and for insights about his last place of residence, Chillicothe, Ohio, check out Google Maps.