Former Steelers Super Bowl champion Mike Collier dead at 71

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mike Collier died in Maryland on Sunday, according to an online obituary.

Collier, who won Super Bowl X with the Steelers in 1975, was 71 years old. No cause of death was announced.

“It used to seem like a dream,” he told the Baltimore Sun in 2013 of his time in the pros. “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.”

Collier played at Morgan State University in Baltimore before he was selected by the defending-champion Steelers in the 14th round of the 1975 NFL Draft as a running back — though he was more known as a kick returner in college.

“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.”

In his first regular season game, Collier scored a seven-yard touchdown in a 37-0 rout of the Chargers. It was one of three touchdowns during the season.