Born June 17, 1965 in Lexington, KY.

Career: Pittsburgh Steelers 1988-2000: Dawson was picked by the Steelers in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft, and played on the offensive line alongside Hall of Famer Mike Webster, from whom he took over the role of starting center the next year. He soon became one of the most respected players among the Steelers, and one of the best in the league at his position. His friendly demeanor earned him the nickname Ned Flanders, after the character from The Simpsons. Dawson was named to seven straight Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1998 and was a six-time AP First Team All-Pro. In 1993, he was named co-AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFLPA and in 1996 he was named the NFL Alumni’s Offensive Lineman of the Year. He played in 170 consecutive games, the second most in Steelers history, until severe hamstring injuries forced him to sit out nine games in 1999 and seven more games in 2000. Although the Steelers do not officially retire numbers, Pittsburgh has not reissued Dawson's number 63 jersey since his retirement. Dawson was one of twenty-five semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, his first year of eligibility, as well as in 2006, 2007 and 2009. He was one of seventeen finalists in 2008.

Attended the University of Kentucky and Bryan Station High School: In HS he was a nationally-ranked track and field performer in the discus and shot put. During his junior year, he joined the football team as a favor to his friends, where he was successful as a guard. Although he had still planned to attend college on a track scholarship, recruiters at the University of Kentucky convinced him to attend on a football scholarship.

Extras: Dermontti lives in Lexington, KY where is a real estate developer and is on the Board of the Trustees at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky.