The Pittsburgh Steelers actually had Modern Family star Ed O'Neill on their roster as an undrafted free agent in 1969, during Chuck Noll's first season as head coach. O'Neill was cut during training camp while competing with star rookies like Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood for a roster spot.
Tribune-Review
Steelers legendary head coach, Chuck Noll before a game.
O'Neill joined Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk about getting cut by the Steelers. During his appearance, he shared several stories from that time in his life. One of the most interesting revelations was that Noll actually tried to help save his young NFL career by offering him a path to the Philadelphia Eagles for a tryout.
“The whole conversation with Coach Noll and how it played out was, 'We love you,' you know they give you the birdseed, 'We got to let you go, but I talked with Coach [Joe] Kuharich with the Eagles and they are desperate for linebackers, so how about we rent you a car and you drive down to Philly, and they will give you a good look. But I have to know right now because they have to fill the spot.' I said, 'Uh, no I am done.' I was sick of it.”
O'Neill explained that during this time in his life, he had just grown sick of the process and was ready to pursue another chapter. Before getting signed to the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, O'Neill was a standout player at Youngstown State. He played as a defensive lineman in college, but he believes he didn't make the team because he was trying to learn the linebacker position instead of the position he was most comfortable playing.
Ed O’Neill was a defensive lineman at Ohio University 1965-66 and Youngstown State University 1967-68 would also attend training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 before becoming Al Bundy and the epic 4 TD game for Polk HS. pic.twitter.com/N6EgkAbVBl
— Cool Old Sports (@CoolOldSports) October 23, 2023
On top of that, the Steelers dynasty was brewing, and the talent he was competing against was just wild. Players like Greene and Greenwood would go on to become stalwarts in the Steelers' legendary Steel Curtain. Noll would eventually lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories.
Steelers.com
Steelers icons Joe Greene (right), Mel Blount (middle), and LC Greenwood (left).
This story is neat because it highlights the kind of person Noll was as a coach. He knew O'Neill had no place in Pittsburgh, but he wanted to ensure he got another opportunity. O'Neill didn't take it, but if he had, it would have been interesting to see if he could have had better luck with the Eagles.
O'Neill's tale is a fascinating intersection of Hollywood and NFL history, showing the perseverance and adaptability required to transition from one career to another. It also serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes face when trying to make it in professional sports and the importance of having a mentor or coach who believes in their potential. Noll's gesture to O'Neill exemplifies the compassion and support that can make a lasting impact on a player's life, even if they ultimately choose a different path.
Steelers' Ed O'Neill Made The Right Choice
After his brief NFL career ended, O'Neill returned to college and enrolled in the school's new theater program. In 1979, he landed his first role on Broadway, and his acting career took off from there. His portrayal of Jay Pritchett on ABC's Modern Family earned him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
ABC
Actor Ed O'Neill during his time on ABC's Modern Family show.
It seems like O'Neill made a great choice by not going for the Eagles tryout. Had he made the team, he might have had a short-lived NFL career, but it would have delayed his journey as an actor. He's had tremendous success in his acting career, and it's fascinating to learn that he was a Steeler before his acting days began. His story about Noll also adds an interesting layer to his life journey.
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