Elbert Nickel

Elbert Everett "Elbie" Nickel (December 28, 1922 – February 27, 2007) was an American professional football player who played tight end in the National Football League. He spent eleven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, from 1947 through 1957.

Nickel attended the University of Cincinnati, where he was a three-sport athlete: an end on the football team, a leading scorer on the basketball team, and a pitcher and outfielder in baseball. His college years were interrupted by Army service during World War II. After the war, he returned to Cincinnati and was part of the 1946 team that played in the 1947 Sun Bowl, the school's first bowl game, defeating Virginia Tech.

Listed at 6'1" and 196 pounds, Nickel entered the 1947 NFL Draft and was selected by the Steelers in the 17th round with the 149th overall pick. His professional football career nearly did not happen, as he had also received an offer from the Cincinnati Reds to play baseball, but he chose to sign with Pittsburgh.