One founding family.
Two retired numbers.
Three head coaches since 1969.
Four up front in the Steel Curtain.
Five seconds left when Franco Harris scooped and scored.
Six Super Bowl rings.
Following the Steelers, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, requires remembering a few numbers — rehearsing Roman numerals, too. IX. X. XIII. XIV. XL. XLIII. In Pittsburgh, those numbers are sacred. And the uniform numbers of the many Hall of Fame players who have worn the black and gold are almost as recognizable as the names themselves: 12, 75, 32, 58, 36, 43.
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The Steelers have retired two numbers — Ernie Stautner’s No. 70 and Joe Greene’s No. 75 — and almost a dozen others are currently out of circulation.
Steelers numbers now out of circulation
NO.
| PLAYER
| HOF?
| Last Played
| NO. LAST Worn
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gary Anderson | No | 1994 | 1999 |
12 | Terry Bradshaw | Yes | 1983 | 1983 |
32 | Franco Harris | Yes | 1983 | 1983 |
36 | Jerome Bettis | Yes | 2005 | 2005 |
43 | Troy Polamalu | Yes | 2014 | 2014 |
47 | Mel Blount | Yes | 1983 | 2006 |
52 | Mike Webster | Yes | 1989 | 1989 |
58 | Jack Lambert | Yes | 1984 | 1984 |
59 | Jack Ham | Yes | 1982 | 1984 |
63 | Dermontti Dawson | Yes | 2000 | 2000 |
70 | Ernie Stautner | Yes | 1963 | 1963 |
75 | Joe Greene | Yes | 1982 | 1982 |
86 | Hines Ward | No | 2011 | 2011 |
But what about all the rest? This week we took it upon ourselves to sift through Steelers history to find the best players to wear every jersey number. The results weren’t exactly scientifically provable, since “best” is relative based on how many players wore that number and whether they were any good. Let’s dive in.
00/0: Johnny “Zero” Clement
After serving as an officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Clement led the Steelers to their first playoff appearance in 1947. Clement was the team’s leading passer (1,004 yards) and rusher (670 yards) that season. Clement also made a cameo appearance in the 1948 film “Triple Threat.”
— Stephen Nesbitt
1: Gary Anderson
The Steelers’ all-time scoring leader came to them via the waiver wire in 1982 after he was cut by Buffalo. He left as a free agent in 1995 and played 10 more seasons for four other teams. Anderson is third on the NFL career scoring list. — Ed Bouchette
2: Mason Rudolph
The cupboard at No. 2 is so bare that this conversation comes down to a few backup quarterbacks — Rudolph, Dennis Dixon and Michael Vick. Believe it or not, Rudolph is your only real option. — SN
3: Jeff Reed
Reed was another kicker the Steelers gave up nothing to acquire. He made the team at a mid-season kicking competition in 2002 and kicked into 2010, earning two Super Bowl rings. His 733 points are second in team history. — EB
4: Josh Miller
Miller punted for the Steelers from 1996 to 2003, but he’ll be remembered for having one of the great passing careers in NFL history. One pass. One completion. And an 81-yard touchdown scamper by Chris Hope. It remains the longest pass completion ever thrown by a punter. — SN
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5: Terry Hanratty
The quarterback from Butler was their second draft pick in 1969 after Joe Greene and looked to be their future starting quarterback — until 1970, when Terry Bradshaw was drafted No. 1. Hanratty backed up Bradshaw through 1975 and played one more season with the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976. — EB
6: Bubby Brister
Brister wasn’t as successful as the Steelers’ previous quarterback from Louisiana (Bradshaw), but he carved out a fine career as an off-and-on starter. He passed for over 10,000 yards in seven seasons in Pittsburgh and later won two Super Bowls with the Broncos. — SN
7: Ben Roethlisberger
The Steelers all-time passing leader and still going, Roethlisberger is headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to go 13-0 as a starter, doing so in 2004. Holds most of their passing records. — EB
Honorable mention: Jim Finks
8: Tommy Maddox
A former first-round pick who flamed out in Denver, Maddox left the NFL, worked in insurance and played in the AFL and XFL before catching on with the Steelers in 2001. The Associated Press’s comeback player of the year in 2002, Maddox spent five seasons in Pittsburgh and backed up Roethlisberger on the ride to Super Bowl XL. — SN
Yet another kicker picked up for nothing, also after a tryout. He signed in October 2015 after two kickers could not cut it following the career-ending ACL injury to Shaun Suisham in the Hall of Fame game. He has made 87 percent of his field-goal tries despite a terrible 2018 when he was just 13 of 20. — EB
10: Kordell Stewart
Santonio Holmes was wearing No. 10 the night he was MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, but Stewart gets the nod for longevity. He wasn’t entrusted with the quarterback position in Pittsburgh until Year 3. Then the dynamic dual-threat took the Steelers to the playoffs twice in five years. — SN
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Honorable mention: Holmes, Roy Gerela
11: Markus Wheaton
A gaggle of players wore this number but none wore it with distinction. Wheaton at least wore it for four seasons, longer than anyone. His best came in 2014 and ’15 when he combined for 97 receptions, 1,393 yards and six touchdowns. — EB
12: Terry Bradshaw
No Steelers player has worn No. 12 since Bradshaw last played in 1983. The Hall of Fame quarterback won an MVP and four Super Bowls — and two Super Bowl MVPs. — SN
13: James Washington
Had they drafted Dan Marino in 1983 as they should have, this would be a no-brainer. As it is, Washington gets it by default even though he’s played just two seasons because you never heard of the others who wore it (OK, so you’ve heard of Jacoby Jones and Dri Archer, both forgettable as Steelers). — EB
14: Neil O’Donnell
O’Donnell took over as the Steelers’ full-time quarterback in Bill Cowher’s first year as head coach in 1992. O’Donnell went 37-16 over the next four seasons, reaching the playoffs each year. He fell a couple Larry Brown interceptions shy of defeating the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX. — SN
15: Mike Kruczek
As a second-round pick in 1976, Kruczek’s prospects of playing were not good with Bradshaw in his prime. However, Bradshaw was injured in the fifth game of the season and missed six starts. Kruczek helped that great team to a 6-0 record in those games. — EB
16: Mark Malone
Malone never fully lived up to his potential, due in part to the injuries he suffered over seven seasons with the Steelers, but the competition at No. 16 isn’t terribly stiff. (Sorry, Charlie Batch.) — SN
17: Mike Wallace
Called a “one-trick pony” often by Mike Tomlin, it still was some trick. The speedy receiver led the league with a 19.4-yard average per catch as a rookie. In four seasons before he left as a UFA, he caught 235 passes and averaged his number — 17.2. — EB
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18: Mike Tomczak
This number may one day belong to Diontae Johnson. For now, we’re left to decide between two backup quarterbacks with one memorable season each as starter: Cliff Stoudt went 9-6 in 1983. Tomczak was 10-5 in 1996. Both threw more picks than touchdowns. Since Tomczak lasted one more playoff round — sure, he had zero scores and four picks — let’s go with him. — SN
19: JuJu Smith-Schuster
Again, they cut Johnny Unitas or this would be his spot. JuJu has had two good seasons out of three as he enters his final year under contract. One more and he will hit a big payday. — EB
20: Rocky Bleier
As much as Dewayne Washington might like to be the first defensive player on this list, Bleier has four Super Bowl rings saying he was the best No. 20. Despite missing two seasons due to serving in the Vietnam War and recovering from war wounds, Bleier played into his mid-30s and rushed for 3,865 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career. — SN
Honorable mention: Washington
21: Tony Dungy
He played in just two seasons with the Steelers at safety. Still, he left an indelible impression. Infamously, he intercepted a pass and threw two interceptions (at Houston, ‘77) in the same game when the only two QBs on their roster were hurt. He’s in the Hall of Fame as a coach after getting his first job with the Steelers and rising to defensive coordinator for them. — EB
Honorable mention: Eric Williams
22: William Gay
Gay spent all but one of his 11 NFL seasons in Pittsburgh. He held down a starting cornerback for much of the past decade and intercepted 13 passes, returning five for touchdowns. — SN
Honorable mention: Rick Woods
23: Mike Wagner
He played 10 seasons for the Steelers and owns four Super Bowl rings. He was a starting safety the entire decade, starting as a rookie in 1971 and finishing up in 1980. — EB
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24: Ike Taylor
Initially seen as a risky pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette, Taylor proved to be a smart bet. In 2006, he signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal that made him the highest-paid cornerback in franchise history. He played 12 years, all with the Steelers, and won two Super Bowls. — SN
Honorable mention: J.T. Thomas
25: Ray Mathews
The McKeesport High School graduate began as a halfback and switched to end (what they called wide receivers in the 1950s). He led the team in rushing in ’52 and in receiving in three straight seasons, 1954-56. He once held the team record for longest reception of 78 yards and most touchdowns in a game with four. — EB
Honorable mention: Ryan Clark
26: Rod Woodson
A first-round pick in 1987, Woodson was one of the NFL’s best defenders during his 10 years in Pittsburgh — and long after he left. He was the NFL defensive player of the year in 1993. Still the NFL’s record holder for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player and interceptions returned for touchdowns (12), Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. — SN
Honorable mention: Le’Veon Bell, Brady Keys, Deshea Townsend
27: Glen Edwards
A hard-hitting safety who made two huge plays in the Steelers’ first two Super Bowls. He slammed into Minnesota receiver John Gilliam to break up a pass near the Steelers’ goal-line that Mel Blount then intercepted. He intercepted Roger Staubach in the end zone to snuff out the Cowboys’ last gasp. — EB
28: Clendon Thomas
Thomas was a bright spot on some sorry mid-1960s Steelers teams. The former Oklahoma standout did a little bit of everything. In six years with the Steelers, he intercepted 27 passes, recovered 10 fumbles, caught two touchdown passes on offense and returned kicks and punts. He was a Pro Bowler in 1963. — SN
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29: Barry Foster
He was a comet who holds the Steelers single-season rushing record with 1,690 yards in 1992 and then flamed out, playing five years, four of them never close to his one shining moment. — EB
Honorable mention: Ron Johnson
30: Chad Scott
A 1997 first-round pick out of Maryland, Scott recorded 19 interceptions over his seven seasons with the Steelers. One of them was the last interception at Three Rivers Stadium, as Scott picked off a Jeff George pass in a 24-3 win over the Redskins Dec. 16, 2000. — SN
Honorable mention: Frank Pollard
31: Donnie Shell
The newly elected Pro Football Hall of Famer intercepted 51 passes, a phenomenal number for a strong safety. A rookie in 1974, he became special teams captain before he became a starter in 1977 and played through the 1987 season. — EB
32: Franco Harris
Another number that hasn’t been worn since 1983. The Hall of Famer Harris authored one of the great moments in NFL history, the “Immaculate Reception,” and did far more than that. He won four Super Bowls, went to nine Pro Bowls and received the NFL Man of the Year Award. He still holds the Steelers record for most rushing touchdowns in a season, with 14. — SN
33: Fran Rogel
Among the more popular Steelers before the 1970s, he was their career rushing leader at the time with 3,271 yards while playing eight seasons through 1957. A North Braddock, Pa., native, he also became famous for the line: “Hey, Diddle Diddle, Rogel up the Middle” for how coach Walt Kiesling ran him. — EB
Honorable mention: Merril Hoge, John “Frenchy” Fuqua
34: Andy Russell
After a strong rookie campaign in 1963, Russell missed the next two seasons serving in the Army. Once Russell returned, the Steel Curtain defense began to take shape in front of him. Russell was a seven-time Pro Bowler at linebacker and won two Super Bowls before retiring in 1977. — SN
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Honorable mention: Walter Abercrombie, Rashard Mendenhall
35: (tie) John Henry Johnson and Bill Dudley
JHJ was drafted by the Steelers, but opted to play in the CFL, then played for the 49ers and Lions, before finally joining the Steelers for six seasons, 1960-65. Dudley had his best seasons with them, rushing for 1,048 yards at age 35 in 1964. “Bullet Bill” led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 1942, went to war, and returned for two more seasons in ’45 and led the NFL in rushing again in ’46. — EB
36: Jerome Bettis
“The Bus” was already established as a talented, bruising NFL running back before he came to Pittsburgh from St. Louis in trade of a couple of picks on draft day in 1996. Bettis rushed for 10,571 and 78 touchdowns over 10 seasons with the Steelers, ending his Hall of Fame career with a Super Bowl XL win over the Seahawks in his hometown, Detroit. — SN
37: Carnell Lake
He started as a rookie in 1989 and for the next 10 seasons with the Steelers before he left as a free agent in 1999. With Woodson hurt in 1995, Lake — a linebacker in college — moved to cornerback and the Steelers wound up playing in their first Super Bowl in 16 years. He made five Pro Bowls (one with the Jaguars) and one first-team All-Pro. — EB
38: Sidney Thornton
There weren’t many carries left over after Harris and Bleier had their fill, but Thornton was capable backup for six seasons with the Steelers, scoring 24 touchdowns and earning two Super Bowl rings. — SN
39: Willie Parker
Fast Willie signed as an undrafted rookie and helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL with his 75-yard touchdown run, still the longest in that game’s history. He is the only player in their history to rush for at least 1,200 yards in three straight seasons, topping out at 1,494 in 2006. — EB
Honorable mention: Darren Perry
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40: Preston Carpenter
The Browns’ 1956 first-round selection spent only four seasons in Pittsburgh, from 1960 to 1963, but he made them count. Carpenter’s best season was 1962, when he caught 36 passes for 492 yards and four touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl. — SN
41: Lee Flowers
Took until his fourth season before he became their starting strong safety and held that job for five years between 1998 and 2002. He became famous for calling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out as “paper champions.” — EB
42: Dick Hoak
Hoak rushed for 25 touchdowns and caught eight more over 10 seasons with the Steelers, including a Pro Bowl year in 1968, and then he stuck around. Hoak coached under Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher from 1972 to 2007 — the longest-tenured coach in team history — and retired in 2007 after spending 45 years with the organization. — SN
Honorable mention: Dick Alban
43: Troy Polamalu
Among the greatest players in franchise history, he will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year in his first time eligible. Polamalu played the position of strong safety like few others, bounding around the field with no set starting point and making plays all over it. — EB
Honorable mention: Frank Lewis
44: D.J. Johnson
A seventh-round pick in 1989, Johnson put together a surprisingly productive NFL career. After barely playing as a rookie, Johnson started at cornerback each of the next four seasons with the Steelers, forcing 13 turnovers and making 273 tackles in 79 games before signing with Atlanta. — SN
Honorable mention: Willie Daniel
45: Bob Cifers
His 356 rushing yards in 1947 ranked 11th in the NFL, and his 361 in 1948 ranked 13th and led the Steelers. No. 45 obviously is not a marquee number in Steelers history. — EB
46: Bill Walsh
It’s high time we give some love to a lineman. Walsh started at center for six seasons with the Steelers, from 1949 to 1954, and was a Pro Bowler twice. Walsh went on to be a longtime NFL offensive line coach before retiring in 1991. He was with the Chiefs when they won Super Bowl IV. — SN
47: Mel Blount
Nothing more need be said about this first-ballot Hall of Famer, except why the Steelers felt the need to give it to six other players since Mel’s retirement after the 1983 season. — EB
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48: (tie) Bud Dupree and John Rowser
Setting aside recency bias, as Dupree is coming off a spectacular 11.5 sack season, Rowser deserves respect, too. He was a force in the Steelers defensive backfield in the early 1970s, picking off 17 passes in 47 games. Dupree, 27, has emerged as a premier edge rusher for the Steelers, which is why they placed the franchise tag on him this spring. — SN
49: Lynn Chandnois
A halfback who was the 1952 Washington D.C. Touchdown Club NFL Player of the Year, Chandnois earned two Pro Bowls. He was a top-10 NFL kickoff returner three seasons and three more in top 10 for all-purpose yards. He also played defense, where over seven seasons he forced 28 fumbles and recovered 12. — EB
Honorable mention: Dwayne Woodruff
50: Larry Foote
Foote was never a Pro Bowler, like other No. 50s David Little (1990) and Ryan Shazier (2016, 2017) were, but he was a steady presence nonetheless at linebacker for 11 seasons and two Super Bowl runs in Pittsburgh. His interception in the fourth quarter of the 2005 AFC Championship Game helped ward off a Broncos comeback. — SN
Honorable mention: Little, Shazier, Jim Clack
51: James Farrior
Still considered the greatest unrestricted free agent signing in franchise history. He arrived in 2002 and started the next 10 seasons at inside linebacker, missing just six starts. He was by far a team leader, and they went 2-1 in Super Bowls with him. — EB
52: Mike Webster
“Iron Mike” is remembered as perhaps the greatest center in NFL history. Webster played 15 years for the Steelers, was a Pro Bowler nine times and won four Super Bowls. Last year, he was named to the NFL’s 100th anniversary all-time team. — SN
53: Maurkice Pouncey
He started from the get-go as a 2010 rookie and still going strong. Eight Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro and three second-team selections, he’s knocking on the Hall of Fame door, where predecessors Webster and Dermontti Dawson reside. — EB
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Honorable mention: Clark Haggans, Bryan Hinkle, Dennis Winston
54: Val Jansante
The La Belle, Pa., native made waves while at Villanova when in a scrimmage against the “Steagles” he had five sacks and seven catches. After serving in World War II, Jansante joined the Steelers and set most of the club’s early receiving records. And he also played defense. — SN
Honorable mention: Hardy Nickerson
55: (tie) Jon Kolb and Joey Porter
Kolb was the strongest tackle in Steelers history, and started at left tackle for them from 1971 through 1981, protecting Bradshaw’s blind side for most of his career. Porter made three Pro Bowls with the Steelers (and another with the Dolphins). Both made the Steelers’ 75th anniversary all-time team. — EB
56: Robin Cole
While LaMarr Woodley had a better peak, recording 10-plus sacks in each of his first three seasons as starter, Cole didn’t decline nearly as quickly. He won two Super Bowls with the Steelers early in his career — he was runner-up for MVP in Super Bowl XIV — made the Pro Bowl in 1984 and remained productive for 11 seasons in Pittsburgh. — SN
Honorable mention: Woodley, Ray Mansfield
57: Sam Davis
He was the starting left guard for the entire decade of the 1970s, and you know how that went. He was another reason Noll’s trapping game performed so well. Davis retired after the 1979 season, on top with four rings. — EB
Honorable mention: Mike Merriweather
58: Jack Lambert
A second-round pick in 1974, Lambert started from Day 1 and soon entrenched himself as one of the best linebackers in the NFL. (He had the best toothless snarl in the game, too.) Lambert was named a Pro Bowler nine times and a Hall of Famer once. He won four Super Bowls. — SN
59: Jack Ham
He was considered the perfect linebacker in the 4-3 defense. He was a starter every one of his 12 seasons, retiring after the 1982 strike year. Ham ntercepted 32 career passes, including seven in 1972n and his number has been unissued the past 36 years. — EB
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60: Dale Dodrill
Dodrill wasn’t drafted until he was 25, since he served in the Army after high school, and the sixth-round pick wasted no time making his mark with the Steelers. He made four Pro Bowls in nine seasons in Pittsburgh, with 10 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. — SN
Honorable mention: Ben McGee
61: Tyrone McGriff
This is a number that has escaped greatness with the Steelers. McGriff was Mr. Irrelevant, the last player drafted in 1980, but he started 10 games at right guard as a rookie for the defending Super Bowl champions. He did not start another over the next two seasons, then jumped to the USFL in 1983. — EB
62: Tunch Ilkin
A sixth-round pick out of Indiana State, Ilkin became the first Turkish player in the NFL. He held down a starting tackle for 10 of his 13 seasons with Steelers and made two Pro Bowls. — SN
Honorable mention: Mike Sandusky
63: Dermontti Dawson
Started five games at guard as a rookie in 1988, Webster’s last season with the Steelers, then moved to center in 1989 and started every game until injuries took hold in 1999 and 2000, his last season. He followed Webster at center and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. — EB
Honorable Mention: Ernie Holmes
64: Jeff Hartings
Hartings, the Lions’ first-round selection in 1996, had his best years in Pittsburgh. He started at center from 2001 until he retired following the 2006 season. Hartings made two Pro Bowls, at ages 32 and 33, and snapped to Roethlisberger in Super Bowl XL. — SN
65: John Jackson
A 1988 10th-round draft choice from Eastern Kentucky, Jackson became the starting left tackle in his second season and stayed there for the next nine seasons, an era when the Steelers made the playoffs six straight years, three AFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl. Alan Faneca also wore this number his first two seasons. — EB
66: Alan Faneca
While Faneca is still waiting on the doorstep of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he’s easily the top No. 66 in Steelers history. A first-rounder in 1998, Faneca started on the Steelers offensive line for 10 consecutive years and won a Super Bowl. He was also a Pro Bowl selection in each season from 2001 to 2009. — SN
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Honorable mention: David DeCastro, Bruce Van Dyke
67: Gary Dunn
Drafted in the sixth round in 1976, he started 15 games at defensive tackle during their final Super Bowl season of the decade. When the Steelers converted to a 3-4 defense in 1982, he became their starting nose tackle through 1987, when he retired. — EB
Honorable mention: Kimo von Oelhoffen
68: L.C. Greenwood
The sack wasn’t an official stat until 1982, the year after Greenwood retired, but he was the Steel Curtain’s sack king anyway. According to team records, Greenwood had 73.5 career sacks, more than any Steeler until Jason Gildon surpassed him in 2003. Along with four Super Bowl rings, Greenwood, a former 10th-round pick, earned six Pro Bowl selections. — SN
69: Gabe Rivera
Not a popular number for the Steelers, Rivera, infamously drafted in the first round of 1983 instead of Marino, had two sacks in his first six games as a rookie with no starts. He then was involved in an automobile crash that left him a paraplegic for life. — EB
70: Ernie Stautner
Stautner was one of the Steelers’ first stars, and one of the finest defensive linemen of his era. Despite standing only 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Stautner was a Pro Bowler nine times over 14 seasons with the Steelers. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969, five years after the Steelers had made No. 70 the first number formally retired in franchise history. — SN
71: Charlie Bradshaw
He was not the Steelers’ most popular player, but he did start most every game during his six seasons (1951-57) with the Steelers at right tackle. Like Woodruff would later do, he went to law school while still playing and became a lawyer. Also headed the NFL Players Association for a term. No, not related to Terry. — EB
72: Gerry Mullins
“Moon” was a fourth-round pick in 1971 and spent the rest of the 1970s collecting Super Bowl rings, winning four before the decade was done. It was Mullins’ lead block that sprung Harris for the first touchdown of Super Bowl IX, the Steelers’ first title. — SN
73: Ramon Foster
An undrafted tackle from Tennessee, Foster started four games as a rookie in 2009, eight the next year and then became their starting guard in 2010, where he remained for the next 10 seasons. He retired after last season. — EB
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Honorable mention: Justin Strzelczyk, Kendall Simmons, Craig Wolfley
74: Willie Colon
Colon started in Pittsburgh for just four years, after taking a starting tackle spot from Max Starks, but he made his impact felt. A former fourth-round pick out of Hofstra, Colon started at right tackle in Super Bowl XLIII. Then an Achilles tear and a triceps injury wiped out his 2010 and 2011 seasons, preventing him from turning a good Steelers career into a great one. — SN
Honorable mention: Terry Long, Ray Pinney, John Brown
75: Joe Greene
Drop the mic because there is no need to elaborate. One of only two numbers officially retired by the Steelers, which happened in 2014 yet his number was never reissued since he retired after the 1980 season. — EB
76: John Banaszak
An undrafted defensive end from Eastern Michigan, Banaszak worked his way into the mix as a solid starter from 1978 to 1981. He walked away from football with three Super Bowl rings, then returned to win a USFL championship with the Michigan Panthers in 1983. — SN
Honorable mention: Kevin Henry
77: Marvel Smith
He started 108 of the 111 games he played from 2000 through 2008, first at right tackle and then, in his fifth season at left tackle. He made the Pro Bowl in 2004. — EB
78: Dwight White
Another member of the Steel Curtain, “Mad Dog” had 46 career sacks, according to Steelers records, which still ranks 10th in franchise history. He won four Super Bowls and was named to two Pro Bowls. Famously, White had pneumonia and a lung infection the week of Super Bowl IX and lost 18 pounds, but he played anyway and recorded a safety. — SN
Honorable mention: Max Starks
79: Larry Brown
He started out as a tight end in 1971, wearing No. 87, then switched to tackle and No. 79 in 1977 and stayed there through 1984. Noll said he should have made the Hall of Fame, although he made just one Pro Bowl. — EB
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80: Jack Butler
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Butler went undrafted but stood out immediately to the Steelers. He intercepted five passes as a rookie, and picked off a total of 52 over his 102-game career. Butler, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was named to the NFL’s 1950s all-decade team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. — SN
Honorable mention: Plaxico Burress
81: Elbie Nickel
The first to wear it — and wear it the best. Nickel, seventh in team career catches with 329, was selected to the Steelers 75th anniversary all-time team at tight end. A Steeler from 1947 through 1957, he caught one of the most famous passes in club history in 1954 to beat the Eagles. — EB
82: John Stallworth
A three-time Pro Bowler with four Super Bowl wins, Stallworth held several Steelers receiving records for decades. He still sits third on the Steelers list of most receiving yards (8,723) and touchdown receptions (63), trailing Hines Ward and Antonio Brown in both categories. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. — SN
83: (tie) Heath Miller and Louis Lipps
Both had huge impacts during their times, Lipps in the ’80s and Miller in this century. Miller, who could block and catch, is the best tight end in their history and ranks third in career receptions with 592. Lipps is fifth with 358. Each made two Pro Bowls. — EB
84: Antonio Brown
History will view Brown as one of the greatest receivers of his era, even if his NFL career is over. Only Ward, who played far longer, put up gaudier numbers for the Steelers. Over nine years in Pittsburgh, Brown made seven Pro Bowls, had 11,207 receiving yards and 80 total touchdowns. But he left with no Super Bowl ring and burned every bridge on the way out. — SN
Honorable mention: Bill McPeak, Buddy Dial
85: Gary Ballman
In just five full seasons (not counting a brief appearance in ’62), Ballman caught 166 passes for 2,379 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs. He made two Pro Bowls with the Steelers before they traded him to the Eagles in 1967 for Earl Groh and Bruce Van Dyke. — EB
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Honorable mention: Calvin Sweeney
86: Hines Ward
The Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083) and touchdown catches (85), Ward was Roethlisberger’s first No. 1 wideout target. He was also one of the greatest blocking receivers in the NFL. Ward played 217 games over 14 seasons, all with the Steelers. He made four Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowls and was Super Bowl XL MVP. — SN
87: Roy Jefferson
Before everyone became stars in the ’70s, Jefferson was it. Their best offensive player made two Pro Bowls with the Steelers but a conflict with Noll prompted a trade to the Colts in 1970, the year they won the Super Bowl. He played 11 seasons through 1976. — EB
Honorable mention: Mark Bruener
88: Lynn Swann
He played onlynine seasons but built a Hall of Fame resume anyway. Swann was the Steelers’ first pick in a 1974 draft in which they selected four future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Swann, Lambert (second round), Stallworth (fourth) and Webster (fifth). Swann won four Super Bowls — he was MVP of Super Bowl X — and made three Pro Bowls. — SN
89: Bennie Cunningham
A tight end on their 75th anniversary all-time team, he played from 1976 through ’85. He caught 202 passes and could block and catch. — EB
90: T.J. Watt
A lot of teams have lived with regrets since letting Watt slip to the Steelers at pick No. 30 in the 2017 draft. He won a starting job in training camp and has established himself as one of the game’s most feared edge rushers, with 34.5 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 47 games. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and still only 25. — SN
91: (tie) Aaron Smith and Kevin Greene
Kevin Greene made the Hall of Fame and Smith made one Pro Bowl. But while Kevin Greene was exceptional with the Steelers, it happened over just three seasons. Smith was regarded among the best 3-4 defensive ends in their history, playing 12 seasons and earning two rings. — EB
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92: James Harrison
The Steelers’ all-time sack leader, with 80.5, Harrison started 107 of 117 games for the Steelers over 14 seasons. He made five Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowls — you remember his 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII — and was named Associated Press defensive player of the year in 2008. He looks like he could still throw some quarterbacks around at 42. — SN
Honorable mention: Jason Gildon
93: Joel Steed
An outstanding nose tackle for eight seasons, the fulcrum on those great Blitzburgh defenses of the 1990s. He played from 1992 through ’99 and made one Pro Bowl. — EB
Honorable mention: Keith Willis
94: Lawrence Timmons
The 15th overall pick in 2007, Timmons didn’t fit into the starting linebacker rotation until his third year in the league. Then he developed into a consistent presence in a strong defense. He collected 35.5 career sacks in 10 seasons with the Steelers, went to one Pro Bowl and won a ring. — SN
95: Greg Lloyd
One of the fiercest players to ever wear the Steelers uniform, Lloyd made five Pro Bowls during his 10-year career that was cut short by injuries. He was one of five linebackers chosen to their 75th anniversary all-time team. — EB
96: Evander “Ziggy” Hood
Ziggy’s name may look out of place among these defensive titans wearing 80s/90s numbers. But the options were few. Hood played 80 games for the Steelers and had 11.5 sacks. He had one tackle in their Super Bowl XLV loss. — SN
97: Cam Heyward
He has made two of the past three first-string All-Pro Teams and rivals Aaron Smith as their greatest 3-4 end. He’s still going strong at 31. He has three Pro Bowl selections, and his 54 sacks ranks eighth in team history. — EB
98: Casey Hampton
Affectionately nicknamed “Big Snack,” Hampton plugged the middle of the Steelers defensive line for 13 seasons. He knew his job, and he did it well. A five-time Pro Bowler, Hampton won two Super Bowls and, in 2009, was the first defensive lineman to be named Steelers MVP since Greene in 1970. — SN
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99: Levon Kirkland
A dominant inside linebacker throughout their Blitzburgh defenses, he had one of his best games in Super Bowl XXX and probably would have been the game’s MVP if the Steelers had pulled out a win. Kirkland had two Pro Bowls and was a two-time team MVP. — EB
Honorable mention: Brett Keisel
(Top photo: George Gojkovich / Getty Images)
