Elbie Nickel
Tight End | Class of 2022
Hometown
Fullerton, KY
High School
McKell High School
Deceased
February 27, 2007
College
University of Cincinnati
Professional Career
Pittsburgh Steelers (1947-1957)
Top NFL Statistics
NFL Career Highlights
3x Pro Bowl
(1952, 1953, 1956)
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
Pittsburgh Steelers Legends Team
Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
About Elbie Nickel
From the small hamlet of Fullerton on the AA Highway along the Ohio River in Greenup County, Kentucky, emerged Elbie Nickel—an outstanding athlete who became one of the NFL’s premier tight ends of his time.
Nickel made his mark at the University of Cincinnati as a three-sport athlete. Not only was he a standout football player, but he was also the leading scorer on the basketball team and a pitcher-outfielder on the baseball team. His professional football career began with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would go on to spend all 11 seasons of his NFL tenure. Known for his versatility and consistency, Nickel quickly became a reliable target in the passing game and a leader in the locker room.
Nickel’s education was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to the University of Cincinnati and played a pivotal role in the football team’s victory in the 1947 Sun Bowl, the school’s first bowl game appearance.
Although he entered the league as a halfback, Nickel eventually transitioned to tight end, where he truly flourished. His ability to stretch the field and find openings in defenses helped redefine the position during a time when the passing game was just starting to evolve. Nickel led the Steelers in receptions for multiple seasons and ranked among the league’s best in receiving yards. Over his career, he earned three Pro Bowl selections (1952, 1953, 1956) and was often praised for his work ethic, football IQ, and dependability.
After retiring from the game, Nickel continued to be involved in the football world and remained a respected figure in the Pittsburgh sports community. His contributions to the Steelers were eventually recognized when he was named to the Pittsburgh Steelers Legends Team, honoring his place among the franchise’s all-time greats .
Nickel returned to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he had previously built a home in 1949. He took over his family’s construction business, becoming a well-respected builder in the region. His reputation for quality workmanship made his name synonymous with excellence in construction throughout southern Ohio .
Elbie Nickel passed away on February 27, 2007, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ earliest stars and one of the most productive tight ends of his generation.
