Dennis Winston facts for kids

Dennis "Dirt" Winston, born on October 25, 1955, is a former American football player. He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. Before joining the NFL, he played college football at the University of Arkansas.

Winston became well-known when he stepped in for an injured teammate, Jack Ham, in Super Bowl XIV. He started as the left outside linebacker in that important game. Later in his career, on October 17, 2013, Winston was named the temporary head coach for the Grambling State Tigers football team.

Playing in the NFL

Dennis Winston was a strong linebacker who played for two different NFL teams. He started his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1977. He played for the Steelers until 1981. During his time with the Steelers, he helped them win two Super Bowl championships. These were Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV.

After his first period with the Steelers, Winston moved to the New Orleans Saints. He played for the Saints from 1982 to 1985. He then returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a final two seasons, playing in 1985 and 1986. Throughout his NFL career, he showed great skill in making tackles and helping his team's defense.

Key Stats and Achievements

Dennis Winston had some impressive statistics during his time as an NFL player. He recorded 13 interceptions, which means he caught the ball from the opposing team's quarterback 13 times. He also had 13 fumble recoveries, picking up the ball after an opponent dropped it. Winston even scored 3 defensive touchdowns, showing his ability to turn defense into points.

His biggest achievements include being a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also recognized for his college performance, being named Second-team All-SWC in 1974.

Life After Playing: Coaching Career

After his playing days were over, Dennis Winston became a football coach. He coached at many different colleges and even a high school. He often worked as a linebackers coach or a defensive coordinator, helping players improve their defensive skills.

Some of the teams he coached for include:

• Grove City
• Slippery Rock
• Arkansas State
• Norfolk State
• Arkansas
• Lincoln High School
• Kentucky State
• Toledo
• The Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League (CFL)
• Mississippi Valley State
• Arkansas–Pine Bluff
• Eastern Illinois

In 2013, he took on a special role as the interim head coach for the Grambling State Tigers football team. This meant he was temporarily in charge of the entire team.

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