Jerry Olsavsky is a former American football linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on February 17, 1967, in Youngstown, Ohio, and attended Austintown Fitch High School, where he played football and was named the Ohio High School Defensive Player of the Year in 1984.
Olsavsky went on to play college football at Penn State University, where he was a standout linebacker and team captain. He was a two-time All-American and helped lead the Nittany Lions to a national championship in 1986. Olsavsky was also a three-time All-Big Ten selection and finished his college career with 342 tackles, which ranks fifth in Penn State history.
After college, Olsavsky was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the tenth round of the 1989 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a key player on the Steelers' defense, earning a starting role in his rookie season. Olsavsky was known for his toughness, work ethic, and leadership on the field, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
Over the course of his career, Olsavsky played in 124 games for the Steelers, starting 67 of them. He recorded 684 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions, and was a key member of the team's defense during the 1990s. Olsavsky was known for his ability to read offenses and make quick, decisive tackles, and he was a key contributor to the Steelers' success during his tenure with the team.
Despite his success on the field, Olsavsky's career was plagued by injuries. He suffered a torn ACL in 1993 and missed most of the season, and he also battled knee and ankle injuries throughout his career. Despite these setbacks, Olsavsky remained a key player for the Steelers and was known for his toughness and resilience.
After retiring from the NFL in 1998, Olsavsky went on to coach football at various levels. He served as an assistant coach at Youngstown State University, the University of Akron, and the University of Pittsburgh, and he also coached high school football in Ohio. Olsavsky was known for his ability to teach and motivate young players, and he was highly respected by his colleagues and players.
In summary, Jerry Olsavsky was a standout linebacker at Penn State University and a key player for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1990s. He was known for his toughness, work ethic, and leadership on the field, and he was a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Olsavsky remained a key contributor to the Steelers' success and was highly respected by his teammates and coaches. After retiring from the NFL, Olsavsky went on to coach football at various levels and was known for his ability to teach and motivate young players.
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