Ernest Alfred Stautner (April 20, 1925 – February 16, 2006) was a German-born American football player and coach who defined toughness for the Pittsburgh Steelers and later helped shape the legendary “Doomsday Defense” of the Dallas Cowboys. A nine-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Stautner played 14 seasons as a defensive tackle despite being undersized for his era, missing only six games in his career. In 1969, he became the first German-born player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his place among the NFL’s all-time greats.
Early Life and College Career
Stautner was born in Prienzing, Bavaria, Germany, and immigrated with his family to New York when he was three years old. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, fighting at Okinawa as a 17-year-old before pursuing football at Boston College. A four-year starter, he played both offensive and defensive line while also handling kicking duties. Stautner graduated with a degree in psychology in 1950 and was later inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame.
Pittsburgh Steelers Playing Career
Drafted in the second round of the 1950 NFL Draft, Stautner spent his entire career with the Steelers. At 6’1” and 235 pounds, he was small for a defensive tackle but became the cornerstone of the team’s defense through relentless play and durability.
He was named to nine Pro Bowls, won the NFL’s Best Lineman Award in 1957, and earned All-Pro recognition four times. Known for his toughness, Stautner famously played through broken bones, cracked ribs, and shoulder injuries, even taping a broken thumb into a club mid-game to keep playing. He finished his career with 23 fumble recoveries and three safeties, ranking among the league leaders of his era.
In 1964, the Steelers retired his No. 70 jersey, the first number ever retired by the franchise.
Coaching Career
Stautner transitioned immediately into coaching, first with the Steelers and Washington Redskins before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 1966. As defensive line coach and later defensive coordinator, he helped build the original “Doomsday Defense” around Bob Lilly and then the “Doomsday II” unit that powered the Cowboys to a Super Bowl XII championship. During his 22 years in Dallas, the team reached five Super Bowls and won two.
He later coached with the Denver Broncos, then returned to Germany to lead the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, guiding them to a World Bowl title in 1995. He also won Arena Football League Coach of the Year in 1990 with the Dallas Texans.
Legacy and Honors
Stautner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969, his first year of eligibility. He was also a member of the Steelers’ 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, the 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and was an inaugural inductee into the franchise’s Hall of Honor in 2017.
Beyond accolades, Stautner’s legacy rests on his toughness and leadership. Though the Steelers never reached the postseason during his playing days, his relentless style set the tone for a franchise that would later dominate in the 1970s. His work as a coach extended his impact across multiple generations of football, both in the United States and in Europe.