Former Steelers running back Sidney Thornton dies at 68

Tribune-Review TribLive Fri, Feb 3, 2023 • 09:44 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Sidney Thornton (38) eludes the Miami Dolphins’ Rusty Chambers (51) and Norris Thomas to score the first touchdown of an AFC playoff game on Dec. 30, 1979, at Pittsburgh. AP

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Sidney Thornton, who won two Super Bowls with the team, has died.

The franchise announced the death of Thornton, 68, earlier this week.

The Steelers selected Thornton in the second round (48th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Northwestern State University in Louisiana.

Thornton played six years with the Steelers, from 1977 to 1982, starting 21 games. His best season was 1979, when he started 10 games and scored 10 touchdowns (six runs and four catches) and had 585 rushing yards. Overall in his career, he ran for 1,512 yards with 18 touchdowns. He also racked up 515 receiving yards with six touchdown catches.

Thornton played in two Super Bowls for the team, Super Bowl XIII against the Cowboys and Super Bowl XIV against the Rams.

According to his obituary on legacy.com, funeral services will take place next weekend in Shreveport, La.

The Steelers lost another Super Bowl running back when Franco Harris died on Dec. 20, 2022.