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Former Steelers RB Sidney Thornton dies at 68

By Chris Ward, Sports Now Group

Sidney Thornton Pittsburgh Steelers' Sidney Thornton (38), eludes Miami Dolphins Rusty Chambers (51) and Norris Thomas to score the first touchdown of AFC playoff game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 1979 at Pittsburgh. Thornton scored on third play from one yard line on a goal line stand. (AP Photo/R.C. Greenawalt) (R.C. GREENAWALT/AP)

By Chris Ward, Sports Now Group

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Sidney Thornton died at the age of 68, the team announced on Wednesday night.

Thornton was a second-round selection by the Steelers in 1977 out of Northwestern State, a small school in Shreveport, Louisiana. The New Orleans native played all six of his NFL seasons with the Black and Gold, and was a member of the Super Bowl XIII and XIV championship teams in 1979 and 1980. Thornton gained 86 total yards and scored his first postseason touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the 1979 divisional game. He also caught a 22-yard pass in Super Bowl XIV against the Los Angeles Rams.

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