South Carolina Football's Greatest NFL Draft Hidden Gems:
No. 8 Offensive Lineman Steve Courson
Steve Courson (Round 5, Pick 125; Pittsburgh Steelers; 1977 NFL Draft) was the only offensive lineman from South Carolina to be on par with Travelle Wharton during his professional career. Unfortunately, however, that career was marred by scandal.
First, though, the former Gamecock was a key backup as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers before earning the starting job and being the starter at guard for the Super Bowl. Courson won two rings with Pittsburgh and was an excellent player when healthy. He battled injuries, and later, the reason behind those injuries became public.
In 1985, when Courson was still playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he admitted that he had been a steroid user since college. Courson claimed to only use PEDs as a freshman with the Gamecocks but acknowledged that he used performance enhancers as a pro. Despite being a starter for the Bucs, Tampa Bay cut Courson after his admission, and he was blackballed from the NFL from that day forward.
Known as one of the strongest players ever to play in the NFL (now, everyone knows why), Courson was a really good player, but his story cannot be told without including his failings, as well. A great value as a 5th round selection, Courson always will be known more for steroids than his success on the field.