The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of two NFL franchises with six Super Bowls. With so much success and nearly 50 years of prominence in the league, the team has its fair share of legends.
Pittsburgh is perhaps the most gifted organization in NFL history in terms of talented players who have worn the black and gold. That made whittling the long list of Hall of Fame Steelers down to seven challenging. At the end of the day, there are easily 13 to 15 players who could land in the top seven.
Before jumping into the official list, let's acknowledge the players who just missed the cut. Ernie Stautner, who played in the 1950s and 60s, was the original Steeler. Jack Ham was a crucial part of Pittsburgh's defense in the 1970s. He's one of the most versatile linebackers in history. In the late 80s and 90s, Rod Woodson terrorized quarterbacks.
In the 2000s, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu were indispensable in three Super Bowl runs and two victories. James Harrison owns the franchise's career sacks record. Antonio Brown was extremely talented, but things ended badly between him and the organization.
7. Mike Webster (C)
There were a lot of players who could have claimed this spot, but it is rightfully Webster's. Arguably the greatest center in history, Webster anchored Pittsburgh's line for 15 seasons. He was around for all four Super Bowl runs in the 1970s and paved the way for Franco Harris' success.
Webster went to nine Pro Bowls as a Steelers and was a First-Team All-Pro five times. His 220 games played are the most in franchise history.
6. Mel Blount (CB)
The Steel Curtain defensive line was backed up by a deep linebacking corps and Blount in the secondary. The bruising cornerback buried opposing wide receivers in an era where defenders could remorselessly attack wide receivers.
In his 14-year career, Blount was the 1975 Defensive Player of the Year, won four Super Bowls, and intercepted 57 passes.
5. Franco Harris (RB)
While Terry Bradshaw gets a lot of credit for Pittsburgh's offensive success during the 1970s, Harris was the offense's engine. Without him, that unit wasn't going anywhere.
The 1972 Offensive Rookie of the Year was also the Super Bowl MVP during Pittsburgh's 1974 run to the title. To start his career, Harris went to nine consecutive Pro Bowls. He is still Pittsburgh's all-time leading rusher.
4. Terry Bradshaw (QB)
It took a while for Bradshaw and head coach Chuck Noll to click. Bradshaw struggled early in his career, making silly mistakes and falling back on the defense for help. By the time Pittsburgh went hunting for its second two-peat, Bradshaw was a lethal weapon.
The 1978 league MVP was also the Super Bowl MVP in 1978 and 1979. When he retired after 1983, he held every major Steelers passing record.
3. Ben Roethlisberger (QB)
While Roethlisberger doesn't have the trophy collection that Bradshaw does, he is the most talented quarterback in franchise history. At times, Roethlisberger floundered early in his career and ran into issues off of the field. However, before getting injured this season, he was enjoying the most successful run of his career.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers relied heavily on the defense and running game during their Super Bowl runs in 2005 and 2008. However, in recent seasons, Roethlisberger carried the franchise.
2. Jack Lambert (LB)
The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year earned the same mean streak that so many 1970s Steelers defenders did. His toothless snarl gave offensive players nightmares, but his looks did not match his intelligence. Behind the growling expression, Lambert picked apart offenses with his mind.
Lambert spent 11 years in the NFL, all with the Steelers. During that time, he made nine Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro six times. The 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year was around for all four Steel Curtain Super Bowl victories.
1. Joe Greene (DT)
Alongside L.C. Greenwood, who just missed this list, Ernie Holmes, and Dwight White, Greene was the heart of the Steel Curtain. The menacing defensive tackle is one of the greatest players ever to live. Earlier this year, USA Today ranked the top 100 players in NFL history. Greene was just the third defender on the list, appearing in the eleventh overall spot.
During his career, Greene went to ten Pro Bowls, was the Defensive Player of the Year twice, and won four Super Bowls. The career Steeler set the tone for every other Hall of Famer on the roster.
More recently, Greene made the NFL 100 All-Time Team, a testament to the respect the name “Mean” Joe Greene still commands.
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