One of the Pittsburgh Steelers
legends was left out of the 'In Memorian' tribute during the NFL Honors.
The NFL honored and remembered several of the league's former players, coaches and executives who have passed away during the past year during its NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night.
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However, former Pittsburgh
Steelers offensive lineman and color broadcaster Craig Wolfley
was excluded from the 'In Memorian' tribute and the NFL is now receiving some backlash.
"To me, it's just awful if not disgraceful the NFL did not include Steelers G Craig Wolfley on their In Memorian tribute on NFL Honors show tonight," Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted on X
.
"This times 1,000%," Joe Rutter of TribLIVE.com added
.
Wolfley had been privately fighting a cancer diagnosis, which he unfortunately passed away from at the age of 66.
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Wolfley first came to Pittsburgh as a fifth-round draft pick of the Steelers out of Syracuse in 1980. His tough and physical playing style combined with a big smile on his face and a larger-than-life personality made him an immediate fan favorite and fit in the Steel City.
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Wolfley spent 10 seasons with the Steelers from 1980-89, starting at both guard and tackle. He spent the final two seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings
before retiring in 1991.
In addition to his passion for football, Wolfley was also competitive in weightlifting, placing fifth in the 1981 World's Strongest Man competition, sumo wrestling, martial arts and boxing. He ran the Wolfpack Boxing Club in Bridgeville after his playing career.
In 2002, Wolfley joined the Steelers radio broadcast team, replacing his life-long friend and former teammate Tunch Ilkin
. He became a beloved broadcaster for his obvious passion for the game, colorful descriptions of play in the trenches and his self-effacing sense of humor.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Craig Wolfley, a beloved member of the Pittsburgh Steelers family," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a press release. "Craig was an outstanding player who brought both toughness and heart to the field during his 10 seasons with the Steelers. As an offensive lineman, his grit and dedication were essential to our success, contributing to the solid foundation of the Steelers' offensive line in the 1980s and 1990s. His work ethic and commitment to excellence were felt both in the locker room and on the field, and his leadership was always evident.
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"Following his retirement from playing, Craig seamlessly transitioned into a broadcaster, providing insightful commentary and analysis as part of the Steelers Radio Network. His passionate voice and deep understanding of the game made him a trusted figure for Steelers fans, and his humor, warmth, and enthusiasm left a lasting impact on our community.
"On behalf of the entire Steelers organization, we offer our deepest condolences to Craig's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now
: NFL Receives Backlash For Exlcuding Steelers Legend From In Memorian Tribute
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