[1][3] Nystrom participated in the Steelers' preseason, including a victory against the Baltimore Colts.
[4] However, Nystrom was placed on the Steelers taxi squad prior to the start of the season.
Later in the year, he was officially released, however the Steelers kept paying him with the hope of stashing him away from other teams.
When the plan was revealed, the Steelers were fined $10,000 by the NFL and Nystrom signed with the Green Bay Packers.
In 1986, the college inducted him into their hall of fame in recognition of his time playing football and coaching.