Ray Pinney

Raymond Earl Pinney Jr. (born June 29, 1954) is a former NFL offensive tackle and guard who played seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft and started for them during their Super Bowl XIII victory. He also spent three seasons in the USFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Pinney in the second round (47th overall) in the 1976 NFL Draft.

During 1976, he was a backup tackle and played in 14 regular season games. The following season, he played in 14 regular season games and started two. He earned the start at right tackle in Super Bowl XIII over Larry Brown, who had been the starter the majority of the season. On January 31, 1979, he earned his first Super Bowl ring in a 35-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Pinney missed the entire 1979 season due to injuries. Although he was on the roster, he sat in the stands at the Rose Bowl during the Pittsburgh Steeler's Super Bowl XIV 31-19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He returned in time for the beginning of the 1980 regular season but was moved over to left guard after Brown had solidified himself as the starting right tackle in Pinney's absence. He startied all 16 regular season games in 1980. Pinney began the 1981 season as the Pittsburgh Stealer's starting left tackle, winning the job over longtime starter Jon Kolb. He finished the season with 11 starts and played in all 16 games. During the 1982 season, he started the first nine games at left tackle before missing the last seven due to injuries.

Michigan Panthers

With the upstart USFL coming in fruition, Pinney was targeted along with other Pittsburgh Steeler's players. He ultimiately signed with the Michigan Panthers after they had offered him twice his previous salary. He played offensive tackle for them and helped them win the 1983 USFL Championship.

Oakland Invaders

After the 1983 season, the Michigan Panthers merged with the newly founded Oakland Invaders. He played the 1984 and the 1985 season with the Invaders until the USFL ceased operations.

Return to Pittsburgh Steelers

Surprisingly, after the USFL folded, Pinney was brought back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He cited he was brought back because the Steelers knew he could play and he wasn't a locker room distraction. He resumed his starting left tackle duties from three years earlier and played in 15 games with 11 starts during 1985. During the 1986 season, Pinney started 15 games. His last season was in 1987. Pinney played in six regular season contests and was hampered by injuries. Pinney has gone on record saying he cleared out his locker at the end of the season. Pittsburgh Steeler's owner Dan Rooney called him and he was told his contract would not be renewed.