Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Mount Rushmore.
By: Mike Lindsley
Next in line for the “ML All-Time Mount Rushmore Series” is one of the most glorified, successful football franchises of all-time, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Players, front office executives and coaches are included. Let’s see what this list looks like for the Steel City’s finest.
Joe Greene. The Pittsburgh Steelers are known around the world for their defense from the 1970’s and the “Steel Curtain.” Well, “Mean Joe” was the anchor. Four-time Super Bowl champion, 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 1970’s All-Decade Team and a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Greene turned the whole team around with his presence and demand for greatness. He was a terror who pulverized quarterbacks and chased down running backs. Plus, he could actually cover anyone from running backs to tight ends to receivers because he was such an amazing athlete. There wasn’t even a double team to stop him. Greene is widely considered the greatest defensive lineman in pro football history. Greene was also a pioneer for athletes in later years with his famous Coca-Cola commercial that debuted in 1979 and was aired during the 1980 Super Bowl. It showed his softer side, but more importantly allowed athletes an opportunity to see what a commercial endorsement could do, especially black athletes. Greene entered the Hall of Fame in 1987. The greatest Steeler of them all.
Art Rooney. Nothing would have been possible without Rooney, the founder and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers with the original name of “Pirates” (just like the baseball team) in July, 1933. The Irish-American preached loyalty, teamwork, patience and consistency from the beginning, all current franchise staples handed down to his son. “The Chief” was famous for standing-up for the right thing, including being the only owner to vote against moving the rights of the New York Yanks to Dallas. Rooney’s leadership was second to none and he was one of the most respected owners around the league. Rooney’s Steelers became a power in the early 1970’s thanks to advanced scouting and hiring the “right” people. That all came from the top. Art Rooney entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964. The Steelers are a football model that many teams have tried to copy over the years and a Top 5 NFL franchise of all-time and much of the credit can be given to Rooney.
Chuck Noll. Some say that Noll is overrated because he had all the offensive and defensive parts and that anyone could have coached those 1970’s Steelers. That’s a lame argument. Noll was a master motivator and got all of his players to buy into what this franchise was becoming, elite and all-time, not just a flash in the pan. Practices were looked upon as big games. Responsibility was the only option. Love for your teammates was a no-brainer. Respect for everyone in the organization was a must. Noll coached Pittsburgh for 23 seasons and won those four Super Bowl titles, four AFC crowns and nine Central Division championships. Noll won 209 games and posted a 16-8-0 record in the playoffs. Add to that winning records in 15 of his final 20 seasons. 1993 Pro Football Hall of Famer. Noll was a wizard when it came down to drafting a player he knew was great but would become more elite than any other player taken (think Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf in later years). Noll was also incredible at developing players. Noll was very focused and knew exactly what he wanted and needed to make Pittsburgh into a dynasty. In 1969, Noll selected Joe Greene #4 overall. Over the next few years, Pittsburgh, with Noll’s guidance, selected Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris and then four more future Hall of Famers in the 1974 Draft, including Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert and Mike Webster. Noll also knew Pittsburgh and helped the morale of the city with his blue collar approach to football. The legendary coach also gave plenty of opportunities to black players and coaches. 1970’s and 1980’s All-Decade Teams. One of the best head coaches ever.
Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw for sure had plenty of weapons like Harris and Stallworth and Swann, but he also energized a city and fan base and his teammates with his relentless energy and Aw Shucks attitude that was welcomed because of how clutch Bradshaw was in the big games. Look back at those NFL Films throws that Bradshaw made in the final game, rolling out of the pocket and hitting his receivers right in the hands. Some of the most perfect Super Bowl throws in history were made by Bradshaw. He, like everyone on the 1970’s Steelers, captured four Super Bowl rings but also added the big game MVP in Super Bowls XIII and XIV. He won NFL MVP in 1978 and is a Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team member and NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team member. 1989 Pro Football Hall of Famer. His numbers don’t jump out like a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning (212-210 TD-INT ratio, for example), but it was his demeanor, influence and clutch play on the ultimate stage as a quarterback, the most important position in football for decades, that make Terry Bradshaw a member of the All-Time Pittsburgh Steelers Mount Rushmore.