Steelers fans are mourning the loss of Mike Collier, the Super Bowl-winning running back who helped define the team’s dynasty in the 1970s and died earlier this week.

An online obituary for Collier states he died in Maryland on Sunday at the age of 71. No cause of death was given.

“In his spare time, he enjoyed doing autograph signings for local charities, and spending time with his family. While watching football,” his family said about their loved one.

After retiring from play in 1979, “he went on to coach local youth in football, basketball and baseball while working as a grocery manager until his retirement in 2021,” the obituary reads.

Collier, a Maryland native, played a pivotal role in helping the Steelers clinch Super Bowl X in 1975. His 25-yard return at the start of the fourth quarter set Pittsburgh up to achieve its first lead of the game, one they kept on the way to defeating the Dallas Cowboys 21-17.

“It used to seem like a dream,” Collier recalled about his professional career during a 2013 interview with the Baltimore Sun in 2013. “I realize that a lot of people would love to have been in my position. I thank God that He gave me the opportunity to be there.”

He credited his high school football and track coaches with helping develop him into the athlete who left an indelible mark on one of football’s greatest franchises.

“It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I got my speed up and went from being a mediocre running back to one of the best in the state. I can’t thank [those coaches] enough,” he added.

Born on September 12, 1953, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Doris & Sylvan Collier Sr. He went on to play at Morgan State before being drafted by the Steelers in the 14th round of the 1975 draft. Although Collier was typically a kick returner in college, the team’s offensive coach, Dan Radakovich, helped develop him into a 5’11”, 200 lb running back for the team who scored in the first game of his rookie season against the Chargers.

“All I asked for was a chance,” Collier recalled in 2014. “Being in the NFL and having that chance was the greatest thing. Luckily, there were six preseason games then. A couple guys got hurt – nothing too serious but it gave me a chance to play and prove myself.”

“We had the best preparer in the game in Chuck Noll,” Collier said about his head coach. “He was the best at making us ready to win a championship. He never got enough credit.”

“You always hear people talking about [Bill] Belichick and other guys as the greatest coaches. You rarely hear about Noll. That upsets me greatly. He was one of the greatest coaches ever in that timeframe.”

In addition to being survived by his wife of 40 years, Lisa, Collier leaves behind 3 children; Mike (Kristen) Collier, Tiffani Collier, and Jerome Collier, 6 grandchildren; Jaylin, Mac, Kenadee, Adalynn, Charlie and Baylee Collier, 3 brothers; Cecil (Cheryl), Jimmy (India), and Sylvan Jr (Phyllis), 1 sister Bernadine Harris, and numerous nieces and nephews.