Former Steeler Gabe Rivera, 57, passed away
- Thread starter thesteelcity
- Start date
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.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2015
- Messages
- 15,544
- Reaction score
- 3,801
- Points
- 113
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.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2014
- Messages
- 1,423
- Reaction score
- 1,618
- Points
- 113
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.
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2014
- Messages
- 6,993
- Reaction score
- 9,255
- Points
- 113
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
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
Last edited:
RIP Gabe
My prayers go out to his family and friends............
My prayers go out to his family and friends............
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2014
- Messages
- 34,140
- Reaction score
- 37,510
- Points
- 113
- Location
- between $2 short & ten buck two
Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Salute the nation
Salute the nation