Leo Elter may not have been the biggest or most gifted running back of his era, but he made a lasting impression on his teammates with the Steelers and Redskins in a seven-year NFL career.

"I remember him as a very tough guy. He was a hard runner and a hard worker," said former Steeler Jack Butler. "He gave you everything he had on every play. He was a good football player."

Mr. Elter, 78, of Shaler, died of heart failure on Saturday. He will be buried today in Mount Royal Cemetery in Shaler after an 11 a.m. Mass in All Saints Church of Etna. Funeral services were under the direction of Bock Funeral Home in Shaler.

Known by the nickname "Ducky," Mr. Elter was a star football and baseball player at Shaler High School and was a running back at Duquesne University. He also attended Villanova University when Duquesne's football program disbanded for a short time.

After college, Mr. Elter enlisted in the Marine Corps and played on the football team at Parris Island, where he was named team MVP.

At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he was sought out and signed by the late Art Rooney Sr. to play for the Steelers in 1953 and 1954. He played the next three seasons with the Washington Redskins, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl in 1956, and returned to play for the Steelers in 1958 and 1959.

"He loved the game of football. He worked very hard at it," Mr. Butler said. "He was just so dedicated."

In his seven-year career, Mr. Elter rushed for 1,380 yards on 371 carries and scored nine touchdowns.

He was elected to the Duquesne University Hall of Fame in 1984. He also was inducted to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the American Football Association Semi-Pro Hall of Fame.

After football, Mr. Elter worked at the Allegheny County Workhouse in Blawnox and coached the inmates' football team. He also worked for the Nordic Fisheries warehouse in the Strip District.

Mr. Elter was one of 11 children of the late William and Elizabeth Elter.

He is survived by his wife, Olga Mykicz Elter; daughters Valerie Elter Skeel of Shaler and Colleen Elter Belenis of Cranberry; a son, Leo, of Hampton; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.