Andy Russell (American football)

Charles Andrew Russell (October 29, 1941 – March 1, 2024) was an American professional football player who spent his entire 12-year career as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).

Early life
Russell was born in Detroit, Michigan to a family that relocated multiple times in his childhood (to Chicago and New York) due to his father's work as an executive with the Monsanto chemical company, with the family eventually settling in Ladue, a suburb of St. Louis. He attended Ladue High School and graduated in 1959 to the interest of colleges that wanted to recruit a player nicknamed “The Horse” for his power as a stiff-armed tackler. Heavily recruited by out-state universities, he selected the University of Missouri under Coach Dan Devine and played both linebacker and fullback. In his three seasons (1960-1962) with the team, they lost just four times (with one loss later vacated) while Russell led the team in rushing (1961) and interceptions (1962). In addition to his football talents, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1963.

Playing career
His father did not wish for him to play professional football, and Russell put a "no" on every questionnaire mailed to him by prospective NFL teams. However, the one team that did not send him a letter was the one who drafted him in the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he elected to sign for a $12,000 salary and a $3,000 signing bonus. After playing for the Steelers his rookie season in 1963, Russell temporarily left the team for the Army to fulfill ROTC commitments that had him stationed in Germany. He then returned to the Steelers in 1966, having convinced his father that it would be best for him to play football to pay for further studies in economics for a master's degree. Russell would play the next eleven seasons and graduate with an economics master's degree in 1967 (the following year, he formed his own company involving investment vehicle syndicates).

Russell was an early member of Pittsburgh's famed Steel Curtain defense and was named the Steelers' MVP in 1971. He made seven Pro Bowl appearances—in 1969 and from 1971 through 1976—and earned two Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X. On December 27, 1975, he set the NFL playoff record for a returned touchdown–93 yards in a Three Rivers Stadium victory over the Baltimore Colts. Some have claimed it as the longest football play from scrimmage in time duration.

In 1976, he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and to the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2011, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Russell to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011.

Personal life
After his playing days ended, Russell maintained his interest in business and investing to go along with mountain climbing and philanthropy. Russell died on March 1, 2024, at the age of 82.