shortage of former players have
headed back to school after hanging
up their cleats, whether as teachers,
coaches or athletic administrators.
But this? “If you’d have told
me that I’d have two master’s
and a doctorate, and that I’d be a
principal,” Dyson says, “I would’ve
thought you were crazy.”
DYSON PLAYED at Utah after
growing up a half-hour north of
Salt Lake City, in Clearfield. A
first-round pick by the Titans in
1998, he lined up for 59 games
over five-plus seasons, almost
exclusively for Tennessee, catching
178 passes for 2,325 yards. He
also played alongside his younger
brother, Andre, a defensive back,
for two seasons with the Titans.
On Sept. 22, 2002, they became the
first brothers to score in the same
NFL game. “I was a role player,”
Kevin says, though few role players
can claim such a singular role in
NFL history.
Consider: Last year, in honor of
the league’s centennial, fans voted
on the “greatest moments” for
each of the 32 teams. The results
are on NFL.com, accompanied
by pictures to illustrate the
Philly Special, Elway’s Helicopter
Run, the Immaculate Reception
and others. Dyson is the only playerwho is featured twice. There he
is in the slot on Tennessee’s kick
return team, racing down the
sideline after receiving a cross-
field lateral to beat the Bills with
the 75-yard Music City Miracle
in January 2000. And there he is
three weeks later, upside down and
lunging toward the goal line with
the ball in his right hand, brought
down by linebacker Mike Jones
with The Tackle that delivered
Super Bowl XXXIV to the Rams.
Every athlete deals with highs
and lows. For Dyson, these extremes
define his legacy. Sitting in his
basement, a framed No. 87 Titans
jersey hanging on a nearby wall,DECEMBER 2020 35