Tim Lester, a fullback known as the “Bus Driver” for his talent as lead blocker for Jerome Bettis with the Steelers from 1995-98, died Tuesday at age 52.
According to a report in the Milton Herald, a newspaper in the Georgia town where Lester founded a youth football program after his NFL career ended, he died of covid-19 complications.
Former NFL fullback Tim Lester, founder of the Milton Steelers youth football program, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, due to complications related to COVID-19 at the age of 52. https://t.co/idRPsArRF9
— Milton Herald (@miltonherald) January 12, 2021
A feature back in college who ran for 3,640 yards and 37 touchdowns at Eastern Kentucky, the 5-foot-10, 233-pound Lester played fullback in an eight-year NFL career. A native of Miami, Lester was 10th-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1992 and joined the Steelers in 1995.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tim Lester. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/XCrGEraRFj
— NFLPA Former Players (@NFLPAFmrPlayers) January 12, 2021
Lester was teammates with Bettis on both the Rams and Steelers. Lester followed Bettis to Pittsburgh after the latter was traded in 1995. They became close enough on and off the field that Bettis infamously once said he would be “disgruntled” if the Steelers did not re-sign then-free agent Lester.
Bettis ran for 4,281 yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons with Lester as his lead blocker.
In four seasons with the Steelers, Lester played in 47 games, starting 34. He carried the ball 15 times for 38 yards and two touchdowns. Lester played for the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.
Among former Steelers teammates who reacted in grief on social media were McKeesport native Mike Logan and fellow former safety Lee Flowers. Flowers called Lester a “friend and brother.”
“We will miss you, Flowers wrote on his verified Instagram account.
After leaving the Steelers, Lester blocked for Emmitt Smith in Dallas in 1999 in his final NFL season.
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