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By The Numbers: The Best In Steelers History

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Jordan DeFigio, @fidgenewton SteelerNation.com All the way back on April 12 (which feels like a couple decades ago), we started a series on our Instagram account (@steelernationcom) going through each number, who wore it in*Pittsburgh Steelers*history, and let our followers vote on who wore it best. This past week we concluded the series and we […]

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Mason will take over that #2 and should have originally if it was based on what they did for the STEELERS. Vick only got the nod due to his previous NFL exposure.



GREAT list of athletes to have played for the STEELERS from 1-99. WoW it just makes one feel in awe as to the greatness of this storied franchise.


Jordan, GREAT write up and thanks a whole bunch.!!!


EDIT: This list don't count several great players competing for the wining # whom didn't win. There is a reason the STEELERS are the most winning team in the NFL.


Salute the nation
 
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Funny with 99 possible numbers out of all those years there are some pretty light talent winning numbers.
 
Very good overall. I would give #69 to Ariel Solomon, who played in 61 games over Gabe Rivera who tragically only played in 6.

The NFL outlawed 00, which I think was unnecessary. The best Steeler to wear is was likely Johnny Clement. And for 0 ( Which I think isn't used these days ) , that woud be Jack Collins.

For those who want to debate it, here's a link with lots of names.

http://prod.static.steelers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/All_Time_Roster_Number_09_108698.pdf
 
Bill Dudley should get the nod at 3. When I get some time I will throw up my adjusted version.
Steeler Nation said:
Jordan DeFigio, @fidgenewton SteelerNation.com All the way back on April 12 (which feels like a couple decades ago), we started a series on our Instagram account (@steelernationcom) going through each number, who wore it in*Pittsburgh Steelers*history, and let our followers vote on who wore it best. This past week we concluded the series and we […]

Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
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The only number in which there was a real battle is #91,imo. As much as I hate to say this, I think I'd give #91 to Kevin Greene, he's a HOFer and loved his time in Pittsburgh. Aaron Smith was a fantastic football player and a great Steeler and spent a career as a Steeler but I still go with Greene. This is really the only number where there is a debate imo.

Papillon
 
I'm torn at the Beard over Captain Kirk. As much as I love the Beard, I would have given Kirkland the nod here. He was a beast in the middle at almost 300lbs, yet he was all over the field. He could punish the opponents run game, could rush the passer, and even for his big frame drop into pass coverage quite effectively. He was also the leader of the defense making the defense calls. I don't see how Kiesel, could get this spot over Kirkland IMOP.
 
papillon said:
The only number in which there was a real battle is #91,imo. As much as I hate to say this, I think I'd give #91 to Kevin Greene, he's a HOFer and loved his time in Pittsburgh. Aaron Smith was a fantastic football player and a great Steeler and spent a career as a Steeler but I still go with Greene. This is really the only number where there is a debate imo.

Papillon
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I think the thinking is Smith was a top notch run stuffer for so long and Greene had such a short span in Pittsburgh.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
6. Bubby Brister, QB. Playing for the Steelers for 7 seasons and taking over at the helm from a certain quarterback that will be named in a handful of numbers, Brister did well with the team and beat out Shaun Suisham and Devlin Hodges for the title of best to wear no. 6.
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Boom.
 
Steel Chooch said:
I'm torn at the Beard over Captain Kirk. As much as I love the Beard, I would have given Kirkland the nod here. He was a beast in the middle at almost 300lbs, yet he was all over the field. He could punish the opponents run game, could rush the passer, and even for his big frame drop into pass coverage quite effectively. He was also the leader of the defense making the defense calls. I don't see how Kiesel, could get this spot over Kirkland IMOP.
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Good call on your part, I revise my statement that #91 was the only real battle, #99 has a battle as well and I'm inclined to change my mind and go with Kirkland over the Da Beard. Good call.

Papillon
 
Only one player pre superbowl era (Stautner) made the list. Here are some players that I thought should have made the list:

80 Jack Butler. Hall of famer, better choice than Plax.

74 Frank Varrichione. Colon deserves some respect as a super bowl winner but his choice is influenced by recency bias. Varrichione is arguably the best tackle to ever play for the Steelers, making 4 pro bowls in the 1950s.

22. I would give Bobby Layne the nod here over Big Play.

35. John Henry Johnson is a hall of famer and 3 time pro bowler.

50. John Reger. Played LB and G in 50s and 60s. 3 time probowler.

81. Elbie Nicke. 3 time probowler in the 50s at end/de. Better choice than Johnson, IMO.

49. Jerry Shipkey. LB/FB/DB 2 time all pro, 3 probowls in the 50s. Also may have worn number 35.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/all-pros.htm
 
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No way Kirkland should have tied Keisel for 99. Keisel was the better player and did it as a 7th round draft pick.
 
Hines57 said:
No way Kirkland should have tied Keisel for 99. Keisel was the better player and did it as a 7th round draft pick.
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Much love and respect for Da Beard. However, I still feel Kirkland should have gotten this spot over him. Kirkland a two time All Pro, Team MVP, and named to the All Decade team of the 90's. Keisel, was only in one pro bowl. I've copied and pasted from an article from Behind the Steel Curtain below about the two. Look at Kirkland's stat's for only 9 season's with the Steelers vs. Keisel's in 13yr's. Regardless we were blessed as a team to have them both.

"A team-MVP in 1998 and 1999, Lorenzo Levon Kirkland was a long-time stalwart and leader on the defense and a member of the great Blitzburgh corps that featured Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene and Chad Brown. A second-round selection out of Clemson in 1992, the Consensus All-American was an amazing physical specimen that manned one half of the middle for nine seasons in Pittsburgh, six of those seasons with over 100 combined tackles. The two-time All-Pro cranked out 808 tackles, 19.5 sacks and 11 picks in his Steelers playing days. After leaving the Steelers after the 2000 season, Levon spent a season each with Seattle and Philadelphia before retiring. These Days, No. 99 is an outside linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Kirkland was named to the All-Decade team for the 90s and is considered an all time great in the Steel City."

"Most seventh-round selections aren’t expected to spend 13 seasons in the NFL, but a player known for his tackling prowess and a long, bushy beard did just that and became one of the most popular Steelers in recent history as well. Brett Keisel didn’t play right away in the Steel City, in fact he missed his entire second season due to a shoulder injury. “Da Beard” became a starter when Kimo von Oelhoffen left after the Super Bowl XL campaign and became a mainstay on the defensive line. Keisel was a team leader that brought grit and stability to the defense, tackling opposing players 409 times and recording 30 sacks in his career. Brett won rings in Super Bowl XL and XLIII and was finally selected to the Pro Bowl after the Super Bowl XLV season of 2010. Despite being released in 2013, Brett Keisel stayed in Pittsburgh and became a pillar of the community."
 
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