Dermontti Dawson never played center other than on the scout team at the University of Kentucky. After being a second-round draft choice of the Steelers in 1988, he started five games at right guard, his college position, his rookie season in the NFL.
But, during the offseason, coach Chuck Noll called him into the office and told Dawson he was being switched to center. He was going to replace nine-time Pro Bowler Mike Webster, who was released following the 1988 season.
“I had no problem,” Dawson said. “I just remember when the media got hold of it everyone asked me, ‘Do you think you will be a good center, you’re following Mike Webster?’ I said just give it time and we’ll go from there.”
The Steelers can only hope the latest player to transition from college guard to NFL center — rookie Kendrick Green — works out so well.
Beginning in 1989, Dawson started 166 consecutive games, was named first-team All-Pro six times, voted to seven Pro Bowls and became acclaimed as the NFL’s first pulling center. His career landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame alongside Webster — making the Steelers one of only two teams to have two centers enshrined.
“It’s amazing to have that success at center following Mike and Mike making into the Hall of Fame and then me following him,” Dawson said the other day on the phone from his home in San Diego, where he has lived for 11 years. “That’s almost unheard of.”