Former Steelers player, 49ers executive Paul Martha passes away at 80

Sad news for the NFL world. According to NBC, the University of Pittsburgh confirmed over the weekend that former Steeler Paul Martha had passed away at 80 years old. Here was their report, which they posted on Thursday afternoon:

“Former Steelers safety John ‘Paul’ Martha died Saturday in Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh announced. He was 80.”

Martha also went on to serve as a front office member for the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Penguins (where he was CEO at one point) and even the Pittsburgh Maulers, an old USFL team in the 1980s that was actually brought back recently, even though they played their home games in Alabama.

Rest easy to the Pittsburgh sports icon.

Background on Martha

Here was the bio blast on the Steeler and sports legend that NBC provided:

“The Steelers selected the University of Pittsburgh product in the first round of the 1964 draft. The Bills made him a ninth-round choice in the AFL draft that same year. Martha chose to sign with the Steelers, and ended up playing in all three phases of football in the NFL.

“Martha, who received a law degree from Duquesne University, became a lawyer in Pittsburgh after his retirement from football. He worked for the Reed, Smith, Shaw and McClay law firm and for Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. as general counsel for the DeBartolo Corp.

“He was executive vice president, general counsel and CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1977 before the 49ers hired him as executive vice president and general counsel in 1978. He was with the 49ers during their 1981, 1984 and 1988 Super Bowl victories.

“Martha later was General Manager of the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL and he had a hand in mediations between the NFLPA and NFL owners in helping settle the 1982 strike.”