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America Loves CountdownsCountdown #39: Best Steelers by Jersey Number
What's in a number? For some Steelers fans, the jersey numbers of particular players are etched in our memories forever. This week's America Loves Countdowns® series takes a look at the best individual players in Steelers history for each of the 100 jersey numbers that have been worn over the past 76 seasons. This was not an easy task. Some of these numbers were complete duds with almost no one decent qualifying for the right to be called the best ever to wear said number. So don't be shocked to see players who you may have thought were not that good filling up some of these spots, because there may have not been much competition. Another problem was that players sometimes wore different numbers during their time in Pittsburgh (especially in the earlier days), so I tried to go with the number a guy seemed to wear for the longest period of time. This was not an easy task, but that's why I get paid the big bucks. Oh wait.... anyway, on with the list!
0: Johnny Clement (1946-48) - Wins by default since Jack Collins was the only other player to wear this number and since it is no longer allowed. 1: Gary Anderson (1982-94) - At the time he retired, he was the league's all-time leading scorer. 2: Jon Staggers (1970-72) - Once returned a punt for a touchdown, which by itself qualifies him as the best #2 over the five other players who wore this number. 3: Jeff Reed (2002-present) - Dependable kicker who has mastered the tough Heinz Field surface. 4: Dan Stryzinski (1990-91) - His punts didn't travel far but they hung so high that few could ever return them, a big plus back in the era of dangerous return men like Mel Gray, Eric Metcalf, and Deion Sanders. 5: Craig Colquitt (1978-81, 83-84) - Serviceable punter who wins at this spot for not messing up in Super Bowls the way that Bobby Walden did and for not having much competition at #5. 6: Bubby Brister (1986-92) - Before you start going nuts, keep in mind that only three other players have ever worn this number: Jim Elliott (a punter for one season in the 1960's), Thomas Cosgrove (a halfback who apparently played in a Moonlight Grahm-esque one game for the 1935 Steelers), and Chester "Swede" Johnson (another back who gained all of 113 yards while wearing that number in 1940). Bubby at least had personality! 7: Ben Roethlisberger (2004-present) - Two Super Bowls in first five seasons. 'Nuff said. 8: Tommy Maddox (2001-05) - Still holds multiple team passing records. Also benefits from being only Steeler to wear #8 since WW2. 9: Norm Johnson (1995-98) - Rarely ever missed a clutch kick and once admirably won his job back after being unceremoniously dumped. 10: Santonio Holmes (2006-present) - That Super Bowl catch made him a Pittsburgh legend regardless of what happens from here on out.
11: Howard Hartley (1949-51) Recorded 10 interceptions in 1951, second in franchise history only to Mel Blount's 11 pics in 1975. 12: Terry Bradshaw (1970-83) Winner of four Super Bowls and best QB in team history. 13: Lee Mulleneaux (1935-36) - Another winner by default. Amazingly, only one other player has worn this number since o-lineman Mulleneaux in 1936 (1950's quarterback Bill Mackrides, who started three games and threw five interceptions). 14: Neil O'Donnell (1990-95) - Though I was tempted to give this one to Shayne Edge for that time he picked a fight with the Oilers, Neil was a solid QB who took us to a Super Bowl, so he deserves some credit. 15: Johnny "Blood" McNally (1934, 37-39) - Not only was he a Hall of Fame receiver who also coached the Steelers, he also had the coolest nickname in team history. 16: Mark Malone (1980-87) - He wasn't very good but he also had the misfortune of trying to follow in Bradshaw's footsteps. He also once got the Steelers to an AFC Championship Game, so that's at least something. 17: Joe Gilliam (1972-75) - NFL's first black starting QB was very close to becoming the man who led the dynasty until he threw it all away. 18: Mike Tomczak (1993-99) - Made up for with heart what he lacked in atheletic gifts. Went 15-8 as a starter in the mid-1990's. 19: Max Fiske (1936-39) - Early offensive star gets the nod over the other guys who wore this number and barely ever played.
20: Rocky Bleier (1971-80) - Hard to believe that a key piece of the Steelers dynasty was told by doctors that he would never be able to play again after being wounded in Vietnam. 21: Chuck Cherundolo (1941-48) Was named to the pre-1970 Legends Team by the Steelers when they celebrated their 75th anniversary. 22: Bobby Layne (1958-62) - While the Hall of Fame QB was never able to replicate what he did in Detroit, he was able to curse his former team for the next 50 years. 23: Mike Wagner (1971-80) - Led the NFL in interceptions, made multiple Pro Bowls, helped lead the best defense ever to four Super Bowls. 24: J.T. Thomas (1973-81) - Benefited from being part of a great group of DB's, but was a decent player in his own right, earning a Pro Bowl berth in 1976. 25: Ray Mathews (1951-59) Three-time Pro Bowler in the mid-1950s; played both RB and WR. 26: Rod Woodson (1987-96) One of the few defensive players in NFL history who was able to single-handedly win games. 27: Glen Edwards (1971-77) Was so overshadowed by other members of the 1970s defense that few people realize that he was voted MVP of the first Super Bowl team or that he made it to multiple Pro Bowls. 28: Lupe Sanchez (1986-88) - Another number with very few choices, so Lupe gets this one for being another example of a guy who often performed beyond expectations. 29: Barry Foster (1990-94) Yes, he was a bum who could have accomplished so much more, but he still holds the team record for rushing yards in a season (1690 yards in 1992), and for that he deserves this spot.
30: Larry Anderson (1978-81) - Underrated kick returner whose record day in Super Bowl XIV helped the Steelers win a close game over the Rams. 31: Donnie Shell (1974-87) Didnt let the fact that he was undrafted stop him from making it to five Pro Bowls. 32: Franco Harris (1972-83) Still the teams all-time rushing leader and, oh yeah, made some famous catch once against the Raiders. 33: Merril Hoge (1987-93) Courageously overcame being a slow white guy to become an effective rusher, especially in the 1989 playoffs when he posted back-to-back 100 yard games. 34: Andy Russell (1966-76) Made the Pro Bowl seven times while helping the Steelers establish the defense that would win them their first two Super Bowls. 35: John Henry Johnson (1960-65) Hall of Fame back was the first 1,000-yard rusher in franchise history. 36: Jerome Bettis (1996-05) One of the top five rushing yards leaders in NFL history who will always be remembered for his powerful running style, which we fans just loved to watch. 37: Carnell Lake (1989-98) With all due respect to Troy Polamalu, Donnie Shell, and Mike Wagner, the versatile and big-play Lake was the best safety in Steelers history. 38: Sidney Thornton (1977-81) Mostly a backup but became invaluable to the Steelers when Franco Harris went down with an injury in 1979. 39: Willie Parker (2004-present) Two-time Pro Bowl running back holds the Super Bowl record for longest run thanks to his unforgettable 75 yard dash against the Seahawks.
40: Preston Carpenter (1960-63) - Lanky tight end earned a Pro Bowl berth in 1962. 41: Lee Flowers (1995-02) Good run-stopping safety who had a big mouth but managed to play above his true level of athletic talent. 42: Dick Hoak (1961-70) After putting in 10 great seasons at running back, Hoak went on to coach for the Steelers for an additional 36 years! 43: Troy Polamalu (2003-present) Perennial Pro Bowler has established himself as the best strong safety in the game. 44: D.J. Johnson (1989-93) - Sure, he benefited from playing CB opposite Rod Woodson and he got kicked out of his final game as a Steeler (the 1993 AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Kansas City), but he rang up a good amount of interceptions and had funky-looking hair. 45: Jimmy "Spiderman" Allen (1974-77) - Another case of not having much to pick from. Allen's best season came in 1977 when he picked off five balls and recovered a couple of fumbles. 46: Frank Lambert (1965-66) - Not many gems at #46 either, so I'll go with Lambert, who led the NFL in punting yards in 1965 (although it probably helped that he also punted more times than anyone else that year). 47: Mel Blount (1970-83) You know you are the best in a sport at something when they intentionally change the rules to try to stop you! 48: John Rowser (1970-73) In just four seasons with the Steelers, he picked off 17 passes, returning 2 for scores. 49: Dwayne Woodruff (1979-90) Durable cornerback became a team MVP and was the last remaining member of a 1970s Super Bowl team.
50: David Little (1980-92) Even when the Steelers were bad, they still had a great group of all-pro linebackers led by Little. 51: James Farrior (2002-present) When the Steelers signed the guy who would become a team MVP, an all-pro, and the heart of a two-time Super Bowl winning defense, I wrote on this site that it was a mistake. Oops. 52: Mike Webster (1974-89) Hall of Fame center holds numerous team records, including most seasons (15) and most games (220). 53: Bryan Hinkle (1981-93) Never received the accolades that he deserved from the rest of the NFL, but teammates knew how vital he was to the defense and voted him team MVP in 1986. 54: Hardy Nickerson (1987-92) He may have acted like a jerk more often than not, but he was a damn good linebacker. 55: Joey Porter (1999-06) What made Porters defensive leadership so unique was not his ability to talk big, but rather his ability to be able to back up that talk more often than not. 56: Ray Mansfield (1968-76) The man who held the franchise mark for consecutive games played upon his retirement actually wore #73 for his first four seasons before donning #56 for the 1968 season. 57: Mike Merriweather (1982-87) May have gone down as one of the best linebackers in team history had he not sat out the entire 1988 season because of a contract dispute. 58: Jack Lambert (1974-84) The meanest yet most loved player ever to wear the black and gold. 59: Jack Ham (1971-82) Arguably one of the best outside linebackers who ever played.
60: Dale Dodrill (1951-59) Consistent defender who was voted to four Pro Bowls during his career. 61: Brian Stenger (1969-73) Probably the worst number in team history. No one who has worn it has lasted very long. Giving it to Stenger since he actually made it four seasons. 62: Tunch Ilkin (1980-92) Best known today as a great broadcaster, but he was also a two-time all-pro tackle. 63: Dermontti Dawson (1988-00) Arguably the best center of the past 20 years who deserves a spot in Canton. 64: Jeff Hartings (2001-06) Very good center who played in multiple Pro Bowls. 65: John Jackson (1988-97) Durable tackle who I will always remember for the great moment when he leapt about 10 feet into the air following Pittsburghs go-ahead touchdown in the 1995 AFC title game. 66: Alan Faneca (1998-07) Seven-time all-pro was the best guard of his era. 67: Gary Dunn (1976,78-87) Consistent D-lineman who started for the 1979 championship team. 68: L.C. Greenwood (1969-81) May very well be in the Hall of Fame if not for the fact that he was overshadowed by so many other great defenders. 69: Ariel Solomon (1991-95) - Extremely slim pickings for this number; giving it to Solomon, who worked his way up from 10th round draft pick to full-time starter.
70: Ernie Stautner (1951-63) Pretty easy choice considering that this is the only number that the franchise has ever offcially retired. 71: Charles Bradshaw (1961-66) Twice selected for the Pro Bowl while anchoring the o-line in the early 1960s. 72: Leon Searcy (1992-95) Dominant tackle whose free agent departure in 1996 sent the o-line reeling for the next several seasons. 73: Craig Wolfley (1980-89) - Decent lineman who was unfortunate enough to play for mostly bad teams. 74: Frank Varrichione (1955-60) Tackle who made the Pro Bowl five out of the six seasons he played for Pittsburgh. 75: Joe Greene (1969-82) It has been argued by people more knowledgeable than me that Greene is the greatest player in the history of the Steelers. 76: John Banaszak (1975-81) - Fan favorite who was one of the unheralded but important pieces to The Curtain. 77: Marvel Smith (2000-08) Most underrated Steeler of the past decade. 78: Dwight White (1971-80) One of the original members of the Steel Curtain and integral part of the dynasty. 79: Larry Brown (1977-84) Changed his number when he made the switch to o-line in 1977.
80: Jack Butler (1951-59) - His 52 career interceptions still rank 2nd all-time in Steelers history. 81: Elbie Nickel (1948-49, 1951-57) - Dan Rooney called Nickel "the best tight end in Steelers history"; still the team's all-time receptions leader amongst tight ends 50 years after his retirement. 82: John Stallworth (1974-87) Often overshadowed by flashier teammate Swann, Hall of Famer Stallworth ended up with most of the team receiving records by the time it was all said and done. 83: Louis Lipps (1984-91) Versatile receiver and kick returner; remember folks, theyre not booing, theyre "Lou-ing". 84: Buddy Dial (1960-63) Teams leading receiver for all four seasons that he wore #84; still one of the team's all-time yardage leaders. 85: Gary Ballman (1962-66) - Big play receiver who twice made it to the Pro Bowl. 86: Hines Ward (1998-present) Holds numerous team records, was MVP of a Super Bowl, and is one of the toughest football players of this era. 87: Roy Jefferson (1965-69) Team MVP, multiple Pro Bowls, and a huge reel of highlight worthy plays that would have made him a star in the Sportscenter era. 88: Lynn Swann (1974-82) Hall of Fame receiver was not only graceful, but came thru when it mattered most. 89: Ernie Mills (1991-96) Clutch receiver whose catch against the Colts in 1995 vaulted the Steelers into the Super Bowl.
90: George Webster (1972-73) - Since this number seems to be solely reserved for backup d-linemen like Travis Kirschke, Jeff Zgonina, and Justin Kurpeikis (Penn State sucks), I'm giving it to Webster, the quick linebacker who was a star in the AFL even if he only had a short stint later in Pittsburgh. 91: Aaron Smith (1999-present) All you have to do to understand why Smith belongs here is watch tape of the final games of the 2007 season when he was injured. 92: Jason Gildon (1994-03) If James Harrison had just one or two more great years under his belt, this would have gone to him, but as it stands, its hard not to give it to the teams all-time sack leader. 93: Joel Steed (1992-99) Quiet run-stuffer who never got the credit he truly deserved. 94: Chad Brown (1993-96, 2006) Was dominate at both inside and outside linebacking spots. 95: Greg Lloyd (1988-97) The scariest SOB who ever played for the Steelers. 96: Brentson Buckner (1994-96) Slim pickings at this spot, so Ill give it to underachieving Buckner, who could have been a lot better than he was. 97: Ray Seals (1994-96) While only here for a short time, Seals was a sack machine, recording 15.5 of them over the two seasons he donned the black and gold. 98: Casey Hampton (2001-present) It has been nearly impossible to run against the Steelers this decade and four-time all-pro Hampton is a big reason for that. 99: Levon Kirkland (1992-00) Mammoth inside linebacker was so dominate at his position that Denver FB Howard Griffith had to resort to chop-blocking him during the 1997 AFC Championship Game. An incredulous Kirkland asked Griffith, "Why do you have to use cheap tactics like chop-blocking?" Griffith replied by asking, "Why do you have to be a 300-pound linebacker?" |
