Stephen Robert Furness (December 5, 1950 – February 9, 2000) was an American professional football defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), and a member of the Steelers' famed Steel Curtain defense.

In addition to being a star football player for URI, he excelled at the hammer throw and turned down an invitation to the 1972 Olympic Trials to attend the Steelers' training camp.

He started in Super Bowl XIII and was primarily known for his skills as a pass rusher, leading the team in quarterback sacks during several seasons with the Steelers.

[4] He was also an avid weight lifter and placed fourth in the 1980 'Strongest Man in Football' competition, which aired on CBS.

After retiring from the NFL he became the defensive line coach for Michigan State from 1982 to 1990, where he worked under his former Steelers defensive coordinator George Perles and helped lead the team to two Big 10 Conference titles, a victory in the 1988 Rose Bowl and appearances in five additional bowl games.