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Ranking the Top 10 greatest Steelers of all time
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- Ranking the Top 10 greatest Steelers of all time
There are few franchises in NFL history that can boast the level of historical talent over the decades that the Pittsburgh Steelers can. Trying to narrow the list down to just 10 names was a monumental challenge and while we know there can be no definitive list, it's hard to argue against any of these 10 legends.
1 - DT Joe Greene
Greene was the cornerstone upon which the 1970s Steelers dynasty was built. The fourth overall pick in 1969, his ferocious play, unmatched intensity, and signature "stunt" technique revolutionized defensive tackle play. As the leader of the legendary "Steel Curtain" defense, Greene racked up four Super Bowl rings, two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, and 10 Pro Bowl selections, cementing his legacy as arguably the greatest Steeler of all time.
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2- QB Ben Roethlisberger
Roethlisberger redefined the quarterback position in Pittsburgh with his imposing size, backyard-football play style, and uncanny ability to shrug off defenders to make plays out of structure. Stepping in as a rookie in 2004, he went 13-0 as a starter and quickly led the team to a championship in his second year.
3 - LB Jack Ham
Widely considered one of the most intelligent and technically sound outside linebackers in NFL history, Jack Ham was the epitome of a complete defender. Blessed with exceptional speed and instincts, he was just as lethal dropping into pass coverage as he was stopping the run, finishing his career with an astonishing 32 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries
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4 - DB Rod Woodson
ne of the most electrifying and versatile defensive backs to ever play the game, Rod Woodson was a true shutdown corner, an elite safety, and a devastating return specialist. Combining world-class track speed with physical tackling, Woodson recorded 47 of his 71 career interceptions with the Steelers.
5 - CB Mel Blount
Mel Blount was so physically dominant at the cornerback position that the NFL literally changed its rules to stop him. Utilizing his rare size (6'3") and strength, Blount routinely neutralized wide receivers at the line of scrimmage with his suffocating bump-and-run style—leading to the creation of the 5-yard illegal contact rule in 1978.
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6 - C Mike Webster
Affectionately known as "Iron Mike," Webster was the literal and figurative anchor of the Steelers' offensive line during their golden era. Renowned for his legendary strength and unmatched durability, he played in 220 games for Pittsburgh, serving as a captain for nine seasons.
7 - S Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu played the safety position with a unique blend of controlled chaos, feline agility, and absolute fearlessness. Instantly recognizable by his long flowing hair, Polamalu possessed a supernatural ability to read opposing quarterbacks, famously timing snap counts to leap over the line of scrimmage.
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8 - QB Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw possessed one of the strongest arms in football history. After battling early-career struggles, Bradshaw blossomed under pressure into a legendary big-game performer. He became the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls, taking home Super Bowl MVP honors in two of them (XIII and XIV), and captured the league MVP award in 1978 by unleashing Pittsburgh's potent downfield passing attack.
9 - LB Jack Lambert
Lambert provided the intense emotional heartbeat of the 1970s dynasty. As the middle linebacker, Lambert defied critics who thought he was too lean by playing with a legendary streak of intimidation and ferocity. A 9-time Pro Bowler and the 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he was a master at patrolling the center of the field against both physical fullbacks and intermediate passing games.
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10 - RB Franco Harris
Franco Harris brought a perfect blend of power and elusive vision to the Steelers' ground game, changing the trajectory of the franchise the moment he arrived as a rookie in 1972. Best known for making the "Immaculate Reception"—the most famous play in NFL history—Harris was the reliable workhorse who kept the offense on schedule.
Just missed the cut
There is a significant number of former Steelers who could make a case to be on this list but we give special consideration to two players who deserve a mention even if they got edged out by Harris. Fellow running back Jerome Bettis is one of our personal favorites ever to play and was everything it means to be a Steelers. The same goes for wide receiver Hines Ward, who is not just the best receiver in franchise history from a statistical standpoint but is the guy an entire generation thinks of when you say Steelers wide receiver.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ranking the Top 10 greatest Steelers of all time
