The Black and Gold is well represented in Canton, Ohio. These five talented members of the Pittsburgh Steelers are worthy candidates as well.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is in the books. Nine new members bring the total of busts in Canton, Ohio, to 371. It won't be long before the discussions begin for 2024. Later this month, the Seniors Committee will narrow down its nominees from 12 to three.
Every fan base would like to see more of their own in the Hall. Some of the great franchises in league history certainly have their shar, however, there's always room for more.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are well-represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their championship legacy, spurred by consistently talented defensive players (that continues to this day), make for great conversation as to who should be in Canton and still isn't.
All five players in this piece are already Hall of Fame eligible. Some have waited much longer than others while one is a recent addition. In any case, it's a list worth pondering.
Steelers that deserve stronger Hall of Fame consideration: 5. S Mike Wagner
He was a versatile defender who could hit with the best of them. He also had a nose for the football and came up with his share of big plays during the team's dynastic run of the 1970s.
Western Illinois' defensive back Mike Wagner was an 11th-round pick of the Steelers in 1971. That was part of a draft that included linebacker Jack Ham, defensive end Dwight White and defensive tackle Ernie Holmes. All were eventual starters on those formidable Pittsburgh defenses.
Wagner finished his 10-year career with 36 interceptions and a dozen fumble recoveries. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who also totaled five career postseason interceptions, the most notable being a key pick of Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach in Super Bowl X. He missed the second half of the 1979 season, including the playoffs, but still earned a fourth Super Bowl ring.
Steelers that deserve stronger Hall of Fame consideration: 4. OLB James Harrison
He came from the same school (Kent) that produced Steelers' Pro Football Hall of Famer middle linebacker Jack Lambert. While "Count Dracula in Cleats" was a second-round pick by the franchise in 1974, no one was willing to use a draft choice on James Harrison.
Pittsburgh signed him in 2002 but he was cut numerous times by the club and spent time on the practice squad. He played in only one game in 2002.
He signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2003 but was eventually cut, winding up earning a roster spot with Bill Cowher's team in 2004. Still, he didn't really come into his own until his fifth year in the NFL. From 2007-12, he combined for 60.0 sacks, 29 forced fumbles, four interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
Harrison was named to five Pro Bowls over that span and earned All-Pro honors twice. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. His 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 27-23 win over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII is one of the great plays in league history.
Harrison's 15-year NFL resume includes brief stints with the Bengals and Patriots. It reads 84.5 sacks, 34 forced fumbles and 17 takeaways. There are also 11.0 sacks and one memorable pick-six in 22 playoff contests. Worth noting that he is coming off just his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, so stay tuned.
Steelers that deserve stronger Hall of Fame consideration: 3. WR Hines Ward
He's one of only 14 players in NFL history with at least 1,000 career receptions. However, Hines Ward was far more of a complete football than a wide receiver putting up big numbers. The third-round pick in 1998 from the University of Georgia did so much for Bill Cowher's team and later, Mike Tomlin's club. That included a lot of dirty work, which Ward seemed to enjoy.
In 14 seasons with the franchise, he finished with exactly 1,000 catches. That was good for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdown receptions. He also added one rushing touchdown. Ward was named to four Pro Bowls and was part of three Super Bowl teams. The Steelers won two of those clashes and he was named Super Bowl XL Most Valuable Player in the club's 21-10 over the Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit.
Speaking of the postseason, he was part of eight Steelers' playoff teams. He's tied for seventh in NFL history with 88 catches. Those added up to 1,181 yards and 10 scores in 18 postseason contests.
Perhaps the two things that stand out the most about the hard-working performer is his nose for the first down mark and his blocking prowess. Ward has been a Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalist seven times but never a Finalist.
Steelers that deserve stronger Hall of Fame consideration: 2. LB Andy Russell
A mere 60 years ago, the Steelers used a 16th-round draft choice in 1963 on University of Missouri linebacker Andy Russell. He played in all 14 games as a rookie, picked off three passes and recovered a fumble. Under Buddy Parker, the team finished with a 7-4-3 mark.
He sat out all of 1964 due to a military obligation. When he returned in 1965, he would be part of a franchise that suffered through seven straight losing seasons.
In 1969, the Steelers hired Chuck Noll to be their newest head coach. The team went 1-13 in his debut but steadily improved in 1970 (5-9) and '71 (6-8) thanks to some spectacular drafting. During the bad times, Russell was a standout for the Black and Gold. The club broke through in 1972, winning a division title with an 11-3 mark.
The rest is history. He was a key part of the Steelers' first two Super Bowl teams (IX and X). In the 1975 divisional round, he picked up a Colts' fumble and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown. That was an NFL record that stood until a year ago.
Russell was named to the Pro Bowl in seven times in 12 seasons. He totaled 18 interceptions (1 TD), 38.0 sacks (via Pro Football Reference) and 10 fumble recoveries in 168 regular-season games. He, along with Pro Football Hall of Famers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert made up one of the greatest linebacking corps in NFL annals.
Steelers that deserve stronger Hall of Fame consideration: 1. DE L.C. Greenwood
He is high on numerous lists by writers giving their opinions on what players still haven't gotten their due when it comes to enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 1969, new head coach Chuck Noll and the Pittsburgh Steelers used the fourth overall pick in the draft to select a talented defensive tackle named Joe Greene from North Texas State. He would be named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and wound up the cornerstone of those great teams of the 1970s.
That same year in the 10th round, the team added to their defensive front with the selection of 6'6", 245-pound defensive end L.C. Greenwood (Arkansas-Pine Bluff). He would not start a game during his first two seasons, but he soon became a fixture on a defensive front that would eventually blossom into the "Steel Curtain."
He and Greene, both who played 13 seasons, would be joined in 1971 by draft choices Dwight White and Ernie Holmes. They would emerge as one of the relentless defensive lines in the game's history. Greenwood spent his career harassing opposing quarterbacks but was also extremely effective against the run.
Nonetheless, he finished with 78.0 sacks in the regular season (via Pro Football Reference) and 12.5 QB traps in 18 postseason contests. The gifted defender was a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro and a four-time Super Bowl champion. Meanwhile, those golden shoes were hard to miss.