Former Steeler Gabe Rivera, 57, passed away
- Thread starter thesteelcity
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Sorry to hear that. I remember when his accident happened.
Yeah, we should have drafted Dan Marino but Rivera wasn't a bad pick either. Could have easily been the next Joe Greene and there's no telling where the 80's Steelers might have been. I can see why they didn't draft Marino. At the time it was reasonable to assume that Bradshaw had a few years left (he didn't), the drug rumors, plus his senior year at Pitt wasn't as good as his junior year due mostly to a new defensive-minded head coach. So you didn't know if his junior year was a flash in the pan or not. Hindsight is 20/20.
Yeah, we should have drafted Dan Marino but Rivera wasn't a bad pick either. Could have easily been the next Joe Greene and there's no telling where the 80's Steelers might have been. I can see why they didn't draft Marino. At the time it was reasonable to assume that Bradshaw had a few years left (he didn't), the drug rumors, plus his senior year at Pitt wasn't as good as his junior year due mostly to a new defensive-minded head coach. So you didn't know if his junior year was a flash in the pan or not. Hindsight is 20/20.
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RIP. Rivera was a former 1st round pick in the 1983 draft. Unfortunately, the bubbly rookie who had two sacks in his first six-games suffered an injury in a car crash and became paralyzed. I’ve never seen him on film as a Steeler.
I didn't realize he did play 6 games. For some reason I thought he didn't make it out of camp before the accident happened.
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Yeah, the McMillan and wife site at http://www.mcmillenandwife.com/ shows at least one game he played in against the Oilers in 1983 at http://www.mcmillenandwife.com/1983_Steelers_40_at_Oilers_28.html.
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Senor Sack played 6 games in 83 and I did see him play. Very good player that could have anchored the DL for years who would have wrecked havoc for many a offense.
The story at the time was that Senor Sack was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Nevertheless a very tragic accident that changed his life forever. RIP Senor Sack.
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The story at the time was that Senor Sack was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Nevertheless a very tragic accident that changed his life forever. RIP Senor Sack.
Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
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RIP Gabe
My prayers go out to his family and friends............
My prayers go out to his family and friends............
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Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Salute the nation
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