2010 Celebrities

The following is a list of confirmed celebrities for the 2010 Andy Russell Celebrity Classic:

Bobby Bell – Hall of Fame 1983—Hailing from Shelby, North Carolina, Bell attended college at the University of Minnesota.  A seventh round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs, he was a linebacker for the team from 1963-1974.  After completing his football career, Bell opened up Bobby Bell’s Bar-B-Que in Kansas City.  He has since focused on speaking and raising money for various charities.

Craig Bingham - A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Bingham attended Syracuse University.  As a sixth round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he continued with the team as a linebacker from 1982-1987.

Rocky Bleier—An Notre Dame University alum, the Wisconsin native was the sixteenth round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968.  Leaving to fight in the Vietnam War, Bleier returned to the Steelers from 1971-1980.  Since retiring from football, the former running back has taken on the roles of author, actor and motivational speaker.

Mel Blount—Hall of Fame 1989—Beginning his life in Georgia, Blount went on to attend Southern University.  The third round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he remained in the Steel City from 1970-1983.  Upon retiring, the former defensive back became the Director of Player Relations for the NFL and has led numerous charitable projects, including the Mel Blount Youth Home.

Robin Cole —Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, the University of New Mexico native became the first round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Playing with the Steelers from 1977-1987, Cole finished his career with the New York Jets in 1988.  Following his time on the football field, he opened up Robin Cole’s Unforgettable Sweets.

Isaac Curtis – After attending the University of California at Berkley and San Diego State, Curtis became a first round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals.  Playing from 1973-1984, the wide receiver stayed with the Bengals throughout his 12 year career.  Following his days on the football field, Curtis became a sales executive at Winegardner and Hammons, Inc.

Glen Edwards – Beginning at Florida A&M University, this defensive back became an undrafted free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971.  He continued playing football with the Steelers from 1971-1977.  From 1978-1981, Edwards moved to the San Diego and finished his football career with the Chargers. 

Frenchy Fuqua—A Morgan State University alum, Fuqua became the eleventh round draft choice of the New York Giants in 1969.  Moving to the Steel City the following year, he remained with the team from 1970-1976.  After completing his football career, he created a candy bar known as “The Immaculate Confection” to commemorate his time spent on the field.

Neil Graff – Following his time at the University of Wisconsin, Graff became the sixteenth round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings.  He stayed with the team from 1972-1973, but moved onto the New England Patriots from 1974-1976.  The quarterback closed his football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Mean” Joe Greene – Hall of Fame 1987—Nicknames “Mean” Joe Greene, the future defensive tackle attended North Texas State University.  A fourth round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played with the team throughout his career from 1969-1981.  Following his time on the field, he spent 16 years coaching for the Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals.  He was later named the Steelers’ Special Assistant for Player Personnel. 

Jack Ham

Dick Hoak

Merril Hoge—Born and raised in Idaho, Hoge attended college at Idaho State.  The future running back was the tenth round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Playing with the Steelers from 1987-1993, he moved to the Chicago Bears in 1994.  After completing his career with the Bears, Hoge went on to become a television commentator for ESPN.

Billy Kilmer – An Azusa, CA native, Kilmer attended the University of California at Los Angeles.  As the first round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers, he stayed with the team from 1961-1966.  Following his time with his first team, he also played for the New Orleans Saints from 1967-1970 and ended his careers with the Washington Redskins from 1971-1978.

Willie Lanier – Hall of Fame 1986—The Virginia native attended Morgan State University before becoming the second round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs.  Playing from 1967-1977, the linebacker remained with the Chiefs throughout his 10 year career.  Lanier became a Virginia stockbroker after playing football, and later took on the role of vice-chairmen for First Union Securities.

Louis Lipps

Floyd Little – Hall of fame 2010 – Born in New Haven, Connecticut, the future running back attended Syracuse University.  Becoming the first round draft pick of the Denver Broncos, he carried out his 8 year career with the team from 1967-1975.  Following his time on the field, Little coached at the University of California at Santa Barbara and later owned several automobile dealerships across the U.S.

Tom Mack – Hall of Fame 1999—An alum of the University of Michigan, Mack became the first round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams.  The offensive guard stayed with the Rams from 1966-1979.  Upon finishing his 13 year career in football, Mack became known for never missing a single game during his time on the field. 

Edmund Nelson—After attending Auburn University, the lineman became the seventh round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Nelson played with the Steelers from 1982-1987, moving onto the New England Patriots in 1988.  Finishing his career with the Patriots, he became a commentator and State Farm Insurance Agency owner.

Brig Owens – Hailing from Linden, Texas, Owens attended the University of Cincinnati.  The seventh round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys, he remained with the team throughout the 1965 season and then moved to the Washington Redskins from 1966-1977 where he played in the highest scoring game in history against the New York Giants.  Attending law school after his football career, he later became the Assistant Executive Director of the NFL Players Association and owned a real estate development company.    

Ed Podolak – After his time at the University of Iowa, Podolak became the second round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs.  Staying with the Chiefs from 1969-1977, he finished his 8 year career with them. 

Bob Pompeani—Hailing from Western PA, Pompeani attended Point Park University.  Following his college years, he went on to become a sports anchor for KDKA-TV News at six o’clock and eleven o’clock.  Throughout his career in broadcast journalism, he has earned three Golden Quill Awards, a Mid-Atlantic Emmy, an AP Award and has been regionally and nationally acclaimed for his work.

Myron Pottios – After attending the University of Notre Dame, Pottios became the second round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  After playing with the Steelers from 1961-1965, the linebacker moved onto the Los Angeles Rams from 1966-1970.  He ended his 12 year football career as a Washington Redskin, playing with the team from 1971-1973.

Daniel Sepulveda—A native of Texas, Sepulveda graduated from Baylor University.  Becoming the fourth round draft pick of the Steelers in 2007, the punter has been with the team ever since. 

Cliff Stoudt – An Ohio native, Stoudt attended Youngstown State University before pursuing a career in professional football.  A fifth round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he stayed with the team from 1977-1983.  The quarterback then spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1986-1988 and Miami Dolphins during their 1989 season.  After playing for the Dallas Cowboys from 1990-1991, he ended his football career. 

Lynn Swann—Hall of Fame 2001—A graduate of the University of Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area native was a first draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He continued to play for the Steelers from 1974-1982.  Since his football days, Swann has been a Director on various boards, sportscaster and an active political participant.

Kent Tekulve—A native of Marietta, OH, the future pitcher attended Marietta College.  As a free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played from 1974-1985.  Moving onto the Philadelphia Phillies from 1985-1988, Tekulve retired as a Cincinnati Red after the 1989 season.  After retiring from MLB, he became a member of the Phillies’ broadcast team, an Advance Scout for the Pirates and an FSN analyst. 

Carol Semple Thompson

Stu Voigt – Hailing from Wisconsin, Voigt remained in his home state and attended the University of Wisconsin.  As the tenth round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings, the tight end stayed with the team from 1970-1980.  Concluding his ten year football career, Voigt became the Chairmen of the Board for First Commercial Bank in Minnesota.

Mike Wagner

Dwayne Woodruff