Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team (50th Season)

Last updated

The Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team (50th Season) was named as a part of the franchise's 50th season celebration in 1982. The top 24 players in the club's history were selected: eleven on offense, eleven on defense, one punter and one placekicker. [1]

Contents

The team was chosen on the basis of more than 100,000 fan ballots. [1]

This team was supplanted in 2007 by the current All-Time team which was named as a part of the club's 75th season celebration. [2] The updated team includes all the players from this 50th season team except, Gerry Mullins, Sam Davis, Mike Wagner, Roy Gerela and Pat Brady.

Offense

PositionJersey No.PlayerYears on Team# of Pro Bowls Hall of Fame HonorsRef.
Quarterback12 Terry Bradshaw 1970 – 1983 3Yes1978 NFL MVP [3]
Running back20 Rocky Bleier 1968,
1971 – 1980 		-No [4]
Running back32 [a] Franco Harris 1972 – 1983 9Yes1972 Off. Rookie of the Year [5]
Wide receiver82 John Stallworth 1974 – 1987 4Yes1984 Comeback Player of the Year [6]
Wide receiver88 Lynn Swann 1974 – 1982 4Yes Super Bowl X MVP [7]
Tight end81 Elbie Nickel 1947 – 1957 3No [8]
Center52 Mike Webster 1974 – 1988 9Yes NFL All-Time team [9]
Guard72 Gerry Mullins 1971 – 1979 -No [10]
Guard57 Sam Davis 1967 – 1979 -No [11]
Tackle79 Larry Brown 1971 – 1984 1No [12]
Tackle55 Jon Kolb 1969 – 1981 -No [13]

Defense

PositionJersey No.PlayerYears on Team# of Pro Bowls Hall of Fame HonorsRef.
Defensive tackle75 [a] Joe Greene 1969 – 1981 10Yes NFL All-Time team [14]
Defensive tackle70 [a] Ernie Stautner 1950 – 1963 9Yes 1950s All-Decade Team [15]
Defensive end78 Dwight White 1971 – 1980 2No [16]
Defensive end68 L. C. Greenwood 1969 – 1981 2No 1970s All-Decade Team [17]
Linebacker59 Jack Ham 1971 – 1982 8Yes NFL All-Time team [18]
Linebacker58 Jack Lambert 1974 – 1982 9Yes NFL All-Time team [19]
Linebacker34 Andy Russell 1963 – 1976 7No [20]
Cornerback47 Mel Blount 1970 – 1983 5Yes NFL All-Time team [21]
Cornerback80 Jack Butler 1951 – 1959 4Yes 1950s All-Decade Team [22]
Safety31 Donnie Shell 1974 – 1987 5Yes College Football Hall of Fame [23] [24]
Safety23 Mike Wagner 1971 – 1980 2No [25]

Specialists

PositionJersey No.PlayerYears on Team# of Pro Bowls Hall of Fame HonorsRef.
Placekicker10 Roy Gerela 1971 – 1978 2No [26]
Punter28, 18 Pat Brady 1952 – 1954 -No [27]

Notes

Names in bold indicates the player spent his entire playing career with the Steelers.
a Number retired by team [28]
b Finalist in 2002 [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New England Patriots</span> National Football League franchise in Foxborough, Massachusetts

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The Patriots play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Boston. The franchise is owned by Robert Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994. As of 2023, the Patriots are tied for the third-most valuable sports team in the world and have sold out every home game since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Steelers</span> National Football League franchise in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in 1933, the Steelers are the seventh-oldest franchise in the NFL, and the oldest franchise in the AFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl IX</span> 1975 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl IX was an American football game played between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1974 season. The game was played on January 12, 1975, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Steelers defeated the Vikings by the score of 16–6 to win their first Super Bowl championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl X</span> 1976 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl X was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1975 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 21–17 to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. They were the third team to win back-to-back Super Bowls. It was also the first Super Bowl in which both participating teams had previously won a Super Bowl, as the Steelers were the defending champions and the Cowboys had won Super Bowl VI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XIII</span> 1979 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XIII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1978 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 35–31. The game was played on January 21, 1979, at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, the fifth and last time that the Super Bowl was played in that stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Brady</span> American football player (born 1977)

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 23 seasons. He spent his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and was a central contributor to the franchise's dynasty from 2001 to 2019. In his final three seasons, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning the Super Bowl and earning Super Bowl MVP honors in his first season with the team. Many regard Brady as the greatest NFL player of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Harrison</span> American football player and commentator (born 1972)

Rodney Scott Harrison is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Chargers, where he spent his first nine seasons, and was a member of the Patriots in his following six. Since leaving the NFL in 2009, he has served as a commentator for NBC's Football Night in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Munchak</span> American football player and coach (born 1960)

Michael Anthony Munchak is an American former professional football player and coach. After playing college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, Munchak played as a guard for the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL), from 1982 until 1993 and was a nine-time selection to the Pro Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Harris</span> American football player (born 1948)

Clifford Allen Harris is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, he appeared in five Super Bowls and was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls. Harris retired from football at 31 to focus on his work within the oil business.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnie Shell</span> American football player (born 1952)

Donnie Shell is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) between 1974 and 1987. Shell was a member of the Steelers famed Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s.

Carl Roy Gerela is a Canadian former professional American football player who was a placekicker in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He won three Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 39th in the National Football League. The Steelers showed improvement finishing in second place in the AFC Central Division with a 6–8 record. Terry Bradshaw struggled with turnovers in his second season throwing 22 interceptions to 13 touchdown passes. The Steelers that year drafted wide receiver Frank Lewis, Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham, guard Gerry Mullins, defensive end Dwight White, tight end/tackle Larry Brown, defensive tackle Ernie Holmes, and safety Mike Wagner, all key contributors during the Steelers Super Bowl teams of the 1970s.

The 1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 40th in the National Football League.

The 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League. The team finished second in the AFC Central division, but qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Steelers got off to a terrific start winning eight of their first nine games. However, a costly three game losing streak would put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Steelers would recover to win their last two games, but had to settle for a Wild Card berth with a 10–4 record. The Steelers would lose in the playoffs to the Oakland Raiders 33–14 in Oakland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Brady (gridiron football)</span> American gridiron football player (1926–2009)

Patrick Thomas Brady was an American professional football player who was a quarterback and punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

The Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team was named as a part of the franchise's 75th season celebration in 2007. The club's top 33 players were selected in commemoration of the franchise's founding in 1933. The team was chosen on the basis of fan voting.

The Pittsburgh Steelers Legends team represents the franchise's best players from the pre-1970 era. The team was chosen by a small group of Steeler officials and journalists and presented as a part of the Steelers' 75th season celebration in 2007. The club also presented an updated and expanded All-Time team at the same time, which was determined on the basis of fan voting.

The National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team was voted on by a panel consisting of media members, former players and league personnel in 2019 to honor the greatest players of the first 100 years of the National Football League (NFL). Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adam Vinatieri were the only active players when the team was revealed, while Bill Belichick was the only active head coach to be selected; Rob Gronkowski was retired in 2019, but did play in the NFL in 2020 and 2021. Tom Brady was the last active player after his retirement following the 2022 NFL season. Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Don Hutson, Gino Marchetti, and Dick "Night Train" Lane are also part of the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Chuck Bednarik is on the 50th and 100th Anniversary teams and the 75th Anniversary Two Way Team.

The 1975 AFC Championship Game was the sixth title game of the American Football Conference (AFC). Played on January 4, 1976, the game was hosted by the AFC Central champion and defending AFC and Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers who, in a rematch of the 1974 title game, played the AFC West champion Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Along with the 1975 NFC Championship Game played on the same day, this game constituted the penultimate round of the 1975–76 NFL playoffs which had followed the 1975 regular season of the National Football League (NFL).

References

  1. 1 2 O'Brien, Jim (June 27, 1982). "The All-Time Team". Pittsburgh Press. pp. D-2. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  2. ↑ Robinson, Alan (October 24, 2007). "1970s stars dominate Steelers all-time team". USA Today . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  3. ↑ "Terry Bradshaw bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "Rocky Bleier bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  5. ↑ "Franco Harris bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "John Stallworth bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Lynn Swann bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "Elbie Nickel bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  9. ↑ "Mike Webster bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  10. ↑ "Gerry Mullins bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  11. ↑ "Sam Davis bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  12. ↑ "Larry Brown bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  13. ↑ "Jon Kolb bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  14. ↑ "Joe Greene bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  15. ↑ "Ernie Stautner bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  16. ↑ "Dwight White bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  17. ↑ "L. C. Greenwood bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  18. ↑ "Jack Ham bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  19. ↑ "Jack Lambert bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  20. ↑ "Andy Russell bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  21. ↑ "Mel Blount bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  22. ↑ "Jack Butler bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  23. ↑ Donnie Shell at the College Football Hall of Fame
  24. ↑ "Donnie Shell bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  25. ↑ "Mike Wagner bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  26. ↑ "Roy Gerela bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  27. ↑ "Pat Brady bio". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  28. ↑ "Steelers Hall of Famers bios" (PDF). Steelers.com . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  29. ↑ "Hall of Famers: Yearly Finalists". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.