Former Steelers linebacker Marv Kellum dies at 70
Another member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ’70s Super Bowl dynasty has died.
One-time linebacker and special teams player Marv Kellum, who was with the Steelers from 1974-76, died Saturday at 70 in Pittsburgh, according to WIBW in Kansas.
He reportedly died following a bout with cancer. Kellum had been diagnosed with digestive cancer and multiple myeloma, according to a GoFundMe page set up for him.
“His son Matt said that he was an absolute warrior until the end,” reads the web page. “What an honor it was to have known Marv. The impact he had was great and will continue to live on.”
Kellum, a Kansas native, mostly played on special teams and also some stints as a linebacker. He wore number 54 for the Steelers.
His most important play for the Steelers came during Super Bowl IX. Kellum recovered a fumble on the second-half kickoff of that game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers held a 2-0 lead going into the second half, and Kellum’s recovery set them on the Vikings 30-yard line. Franco Harris ran for a touchdown three plays after the fumble recovery, giving the Steelers a 9-0 lead.
1/12/75 Super Bowl IX - Pit vs Min
Early 3rd qtr. Pit lead 2-0The 2nd half kickoff is a memorable one thanks to Gerela slipping in the poor conditions and Marv Kellum recovering the fumble for Pittsburgh at the Minnesota 30. pic.twitter.com/3UqHMj4QdH
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) August 30, 2018
The Steelers won Super Bowl IX by a score of 16-6.
Kellum played in both of the Steelers’ first two Super Bowl victories.
He grew up and played high school and college football in Kansas, attending Wichita State University. He played 56 games in the NFL across four seasons for the Steelers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Kellum is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sandi, his sons Matt and Wes, his two brothers Wayne and Kenny, as well as his sister, Karen Ice.
Late last week, running back Sidney Thornton died at 68; and Harris died in December.
Ryan Deto is a TribLive reporter covering politics, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County news. A native of California’s Bay Area, he joined the Trib in 2022 after spending more than six years covering Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh City Paper, including serving as managing editor. He can be reached at rdeto@triblive.com.
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