Remembering James Street, L. C. Greenwood, Bob Kurland

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• published: 15 Oct 2013
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Three Decades, Three Athletes THE EYES OF TEXAS, HOLLYWOOD BAGS, AND THE FIRST DUNK James Street was the quarterback at the University of Texas who never lost a game. His performance in the 1969 #1 Texas vs. #2 Arkansas is one of the most memorable in college football history. L. C. Greenwood was the dominating defensive lineman for the 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers. One of the anchors of the great Steel Curtain, he helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls during the decade. Bob Kurland was college basketball's first "big man" and he led Oklahoma A&M;, now Oklahoma State, to two National Championships in the 1940's and the U.S. to two Olympic basketball gold medals. Former Texas quarterback James Street, who took over the Longhorns' wishbone offense and led them to the 1969 national championship, has died. He was 65. Serena Fitchard of the James Street Group said Street died early Monday in Austin but that no other details were immediately available. His son, Huston Street, is the closer for the San Diego Padres. James Street also played baseball at Texas, helping the Longhorns to two conference titles. He posted a 29-8 record as pitcher, including a perfect game (1970 vs. Texas Tech) and no-hitter (1969 vs. Southern Methodist). He was on three Texas teams that advanced to the College World Series. Current Texas football coach Mack Brown tweeted Monday, "Very sad day as we lost college FB great, good friend & wonderful man w/passing of James Street. Our thoughts & prayers are w/Janie & family" Greenwood was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 in the 10th round. In 1971, he became the starting left defensive end. One of the four members of Pittsburgh's famous Steel Curtain, he would remain there until retirement in 1981. Greenwood, who was 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 245 pounds, was a six-time Pro Bowl player and was named to NFL All-Pro teams in 1974 and 1975. He was named All-AFC five times. He also led the Steelers six times in sacks with a career total of 73½ (sacks were an unofficial stat at the time).[1] According to records kept by the Steelers, Greenwood's highest single-season sack total was 11, which he attained in 1974.[2] He further had 14 fumble recoveries in his career, including five in 1971, which tied for the NFL lead. He had 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, and that speed allowed him to dominate his position. In Super Bowl IX against the Minnesota Vikings, Greenwood batted down two passes from Fran Tarkenton.[3] In Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys, he sacked Roger Staubach four times.[4] Greenwood played in all four of the Steelers Super Bowl victories in the 1970s. Unofficially, Greenwood had five sacks in the four Super Bowl appearances. Robert Albert "Bob" Kurland (December 23, 1924 -- September 29, 2013) was a 7 feet (2.1 m) American basketball center, who played for Henry Iba's Oklahoma A&M; Aggies (now Oklahoma State Cowboys) basketball team. Kurland was an integral part of the team's consecutive NCAA titles in 1945 and 1946, and was named the NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player both times.[1] In the 1945-46 season, he led the league in scoring and Kurland was voted Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year.[1] Because Kurland often leaped above the rim to grab opponents' shots, the NCAA banned defensive goaltending in 1945.[2] Kurland was also the first person to regularly dunk during games.[3] The rivalry between him and De Paul's George Mikan would foreshadow similar matchups, especially those of "Big Men". In February 1946, Kurland scored 58 points against St. Louis University, which had 6-8 freshman Ed Macauley on the team. Kurland never played professional basketball, passing up the newly formed Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League (which would merge, forming the National Basketball Association), to play for Phillips Petroleum's A.A.U. team, the 66 Oilers. Kurland played for six years with Phillips, winning three championships. Since he never played professionally, he was eligible as an amateur for the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. Kurland was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1961.