Dwight White, Former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler Steel Curtain Defensive End Dies at Age 58

Dwight White, former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler great and one of the original members of the four man famed Steel Curtain, has died at the age of 58. The Steel Curtain was the most dominant front four defensive lines of the 1970’s. Dwight White leaves behind a wife and a daughter. What a sad loss to the football and Pittsburgh community as White would have turned 59 at the end of next month. Rest in peace.

It appears that White died from complications following back surgery; however, there are not many details to the cause. White made up the NFL legendary Pittsburgh “Steel Curtain” defense along with Ernie Holmes, Mean Joe Greene and LC. Greenwood. This dominating defense force helped the Pittsburgh Steelers to 4 Super Bowl wins in the 1970’s.

The Steelers said White died at a Pittsburgh hospital. The cause was not disclosed. The team said White was released from the hospital after having back surgery, but then was readmitted with complications.

White is the second member of the original four-man Steel Curtain to die this year. Defensive tackle Ernie Holmes died Jan. 17 in a car accident in Texas.

White, a two-time Pro Bowl player, was chosen as one of the 33 members of the Steelers’ 75th anniversary all-time team last season.

‘Steel Curtain’ loses Dwight White

Greene said White had back surgery in the middle of May and that he talked to him a couple of days after the operation, though only briefly because White was still in so much pain.

About a week later, Greene said, he got a call from L.C. Greenwood, who started opposite White on the Steelers’ defensive line in the 1970s. Greenwood told Greene that White had gone back into the hospital and had been placed in intensive care.

“He went in for back surgery, he comes out, then has to go back in — and he didn’t come out again,” said Greene, who works for the Steelers’ player personnel department. “I just need some answers. That’s why I’m angry.”

Ex-Steeler star Dwight White dies at 58

“His NFL nickname, Mad Dog, belied the fact that he was a true gentleman and an accomplished business leader,” Gov. Ed Rendell said in a statement. “After retiring from football, he entered the financial services industry with the same tenacity and determination he showed on the football field.”