This week in Albany Metro history.
Born April 20, 1925, known for NFL career and coaching
Ernest Stautner was born on April 20, 1925, in Bavaria, Germany. His family moved to the Albany area when he was three years old. He grew up in East Greenbush and attended Columbia High School and the Vincentian Institute. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, he played college football at Boston College. Stautner was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1950 and played as a defensive tackle for 14 seasons. He was named to nine Pro Bowls and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. After retiring, he coached for the Steelers, Washington Redskins, and Dallas Cowboys, contributing to multiple Super Bowl appearances. He later coached in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. Stautner also briefly owned a drive-in theater in New York. His career reflected a long-term commitment to football. He died on February 16, 2006, in Carbondale, Colorado.
