When you watch football at the highest level nowadays, you’ll often notice centers pulling left and right, getting out in front on run plays while utilizing their athleticism in space to get an extra blocker in front.
A pulling center has become a consistent part of the game overall, but back in 1992 it was almost unheard of when Pittsburgh Steelers’ center Dermontti Dawson suggested it leading up to a regular season game. Citing some struggles of the offensive line getting to the second level, Dawson suggested to head coach Bill Cowher, offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt and offensive line coach Kent Stephenson that he could tap into his pulling guard background and give pulling a try to help get to the second level.