You might know Ed O’Neill as Al Bundy from Married with Children or as the patriarch of the wildly popular Modern Family.
But what many don’t know about Mr. O’Neill is that he was shortly a member of the famed Pittsburgh Steelers Steel Curtain defense.
The Ohio native played linebacker at Youngstown State. He ended up becoming an undrafted free agent in 1969 under then-rookie head coach Chuck Noll.
Mind you, this was the same year that saw Pittsburgh initiate its run to a dynasty in the 1970s by selecting the likes of Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood.
Just imagne Al Bundy on the practice field as the Steel Curtain was taking hold. It’s still a little-known fact to this day.
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Ed O’Neill Cut From Pittsburgh Steelers On Historic Day
Unfortunately for the now 78-year-old O’Neill, it wasn’t to be in the NFL. He was cut from Pittsburgh in the summer of 1969 before playing in any games. It might have had a bit to do with the talent around him.
In a recent appearance on the Games with Names podcast, O’Neill shares a story about the day he was cut.
“This was not too long after I got cut. So, I was packing up. I thought, I don’t want to go home and have to explain this. I knew a friend in Pittsburgh. So, I said I am going to Pittsburgh. And I had this rudimentary idea of where my friend lived. I directed him up a street and saw a bar. I said right here, my friend lives right around that bar. Drop me off here,” Ed O’Neill said.
“So, I went in the bar . It was like 2:00 in the afternoon. I order a beer. The news comes on, and they are showing Armstrong walking on the moon. And I am thinking, at least someone had a good day. And then they went to the sports. Of course, it’s Pittsburgh. So, they go Ed O’Neill released today from the Steelers.”
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O’Neill goes on to say that the bar patrons were buying him rounds of drinks after that news broke. He ended up at 3:00 in the morning in a car with some girl. A cop ended up pulling him over, asking O’Neill if he got cut rom the Steelers. The officer ended up letting him go.
There is so much to unpack here.
Being cut from the Steelers on the same day we landed on the moon is a story that should be told. We’re sure Al Bundy would’ve told this story over and over again after saying he scored four touchdowns on defense before being released.
Peg Bundy is already rolling her eyes as she smokes a cig and ashes in her coffee.
One now really has to wonder if O’Neill’s character on Married with Children was him in real life. If so, we all have to go back and watch the show with a completely different outlook.
In an alternate universe, O’Neill would have been winning Super Bowls with the Steelers while starring in legendary Coca-Cola commercials as Joe Greene sold used shoes with Grif.
But I digress.
Ed O’Neill has been on the podcast circuit a lot recently since Modern Family ended. We suggest that you watch some of his appearances. The stories are absolutely legendary, much like scoring four touchdowns in a game for Polk High.
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