The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rich history when it comes to Hall of Famers. As they celebrate the induction of Bill Cowher and Troy Polamalu by playing in the Hall of Fame Game, let’s take a look at the full list of the Steelers’ Hall of Famers.
How many Hall of Famers do the Pittsburgh Steelers have?
The Steelers have 32 Hall of Famers who were part of their organization for at least a year. 26 Hall of Famers have their primary contribution to their Hall of Fame candidacy while part of the Steelers organization.
Steelers players in the Hall of Fame
Dates in parenthesis represent the years played for the Steelers.
Alan Faneca, Offensive Line (1998-2007)
Alan Faneca is a six-time first-team All-Pro who earned a selection in the 2000s All-Decade Team. He was selected to nine straight Pro Bowls and finished his career with a Super Bowl (XL).
Bill Dudley, Tailback/Halfback/Quarterback/Defensive Back (1942, 1945-46)
Looking back to when football was very different, Bill Dudley was one of the stars of his era, putting up stats on offense and defense. The Hall of Famer’s career was spread over three teams, but with the Steelers, he led the league in rushing yards twice, and in 1946, he also led in interceptions. A member of the 1940s All-Decade Team, he was the league MVP in 1946.
Bobby Layne, Quarterback (1958-62)
Layne put up the majority of his stats when playing for the Detroit Lions. However, he is credited in the Hall of Fame as part of the Steelers, thanks to the five years he spent there to finish his career. He received two second-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl nominations with the Steelers and was included in the 1950s All-Decade Team.
Dermontti Dawson, Offensive Line (1988-2000)
Centers and long snappers do not always get the headlines, but Dermontti Dawson dominated in the 1990s. He was named a first-team All-Pro in six straight seasons and to seven straight Pro Bowls. Those honors saw him named to the 1990s All-Decade Team.
Donnie Shell, Safety (1974-87)
A highly decorated individual, Donnie Shell has four Super Bowl rings (IX, X, XIII, XIV). On top of that, he was sent to five straight Pro Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro in three of four years.
Ernie Stautner, Defensive Tackle (1950-63)
When the Pittsburgh Steelers retire your number, that is the true mark of respect. Ernie Stautner deserved that honor with four first-team All-Pro and five second-team All-Pro selections to go with nine Pro Bowls. He was named the Best Lineman in the NFL in 1957 and was selected as part of the 1950s All-Decade Team.
Franco Harris, Running Back (1972-83)
The accolades surround Franco Harris. A four-time Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV), including a Super Bowl MVP (IX), as well as the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1972. Harris was named to the 1970s All-Decade Team, led the league in rushing touchdowns in 1976, and went to nine straight Pro Bowls.
Jack Butler, Defensive Back (1951-59)
Named to the 1950s All-Decade Team, Butler reeled off four straight first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. He also led the league in interceptions in 1957.
Jack Ham, Linebacker (1971-82)
Named to both the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Jack Ham won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV) and was named a first-team All-Pro in six straight years.
Jack Lambert, Linebacker (1974-1984)
Another linebacker named to both the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Jack Lambert had a fantastic career. He achieved the impressive feat of being nominated to both the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams, won an NFL Rookie of the Year award, and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. That is not even to mention his four Super Bowl rings (IX, X, XIII, XIV) and six first-team All-Pro selections.
Jerome Bettis, Running Back (1996-2005)
Jerome Bettis had a second wind to his career with the Steelers. In 1996, he won the Comeback Player of the Year award and was named a first-team All-Pro that same season. He also took home the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and finished his career with a ring in Super Bowl XL.
Joe Greene, Defensive Tackle (1969-81)
“Mean” Joe Greene is the third Steelers Hall of Famer named to the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. He had his number (75) retired by the Steelers — and rightly so. His career honors include two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, Defensive Rookie of the Year, NFL Man of the Year, the 1970s All-Decade Team, and five first-team All-Pro selections. On top of that, he has four Super Bowl rings (IX, X, XIII, XIV).
John Henry Johnson, Running Back (1960-65)
Not as highly decorated as some of the others on this list, John Henry Johnson remains one of the franchise leaders in rushing yards for the Steelers. He was named to four Pro Bowls and selected as a second-team All-Pro twice.
John Stallworth, Wide Receiver (1974-87)
The first of two Steelers Hall of Famers at the wide receiver position, Stallworth is the less highly decorated of the two. Stallworth was selected as a first-team and second-team All-Pro once each and went to three Pro Bowls. He had four Super Bowl rings (IX, X, XIII, XIV) and won the Comeback Player of the Year in 1984.
Lynn Swann, Wide Receiver (1974-82)
The more decorated of the two receivers, Lynn Swann was selected to the 1970s All-Decade Team and won a Super Bowl MVP award (X). He was named the NFL Man of the Year in 1981, a first-team All-Pro in 1978, and won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV).
Mel Blount, Cornerback (1970-83)
Another extremely decorated Steelers Hall of Famer, Blount was named to both the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. He also made the 1980s All-Decade Team, led the league in interceptions in 1975, and was named Defensive Player of the Year that same season. Furthermore, he was part of the four Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1970s and ’80s.
Mike Webster, Offensive Line (1974-88)
“Iron” Mike Webster was named to two Anniversary Teams (75th and 100th), two All-Decade Teams (70s and 80s), seven first-team All-Pro selections, and won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). His seven All-Pro selections came in consecutive seasons, showing incredible consistency.
Rod Woodson, Defensive Back (1987-1996)
Another player who spread his career across several teams, Rod Woodson had a large amount of his success with the Steelers. Woodson won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and received five first-team All-Pro selections in Pittsburgh. He was named to both the 75th and 100th Anniversary Teams and was selected in the 1990s All-Decade Team.
Terry Bradshaw, Quarterback (1970-83)
Terry Bradshaw finished his career with an NFL MVP award, two Super Bowl MVP awards, led the league in passing yards twice, and was named to the 1970s All-Decade Team. He was decorated individually and as part of a team with four Super Bowl wins (IX, X, XIII, XIV).
Troy Polamalu, Safety (2003-14)
The newest member of the Steelers’ Hall of Famers is Troy Polamalu. Polamalu has all the accolades to celebrate, whether it is two Super Bowl rings, an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, or a selection to the 2000s All-Decade Team. During his career, Polamalu had four first-team and two second-team All-Pro selections.
Steelers players who are inducted based on performances with other teams
The following players are all inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and spent at least one season with the Steelers. However, their main accomplishment as a player came when representing other NFL teams on the field.
Dates in parenthesis indicate when the player played for the Steelers. Team in italics identifies the team they are associated with in the Hall of Fame.
- John McNally, Wingback/Tailback (1934, 37-38) Green Bay Packers
- Kevin Greene, Linebacker (1993-95) Los Angeles Rams
- Len Dawson, Quarterback (1957-59) Kansas City Chiefs
- Marion Motley, Fullback (1955) Cleveland Browns
- Robert (Cal) Hubbard, Defensive Line/Offensive Line (1936) Green Bay Packers
Which Steelers coaches are in?
Dates in parenthesis represent the years spent with the Steelers.
Walt Kiesling (1937-39 as a player, 1940-42, 54-56 as a coach)
Walt Kiesling had a fascinating career both as a player and coach. On the field, he was named part of the 1920s All-Decade Team and a three-time All-Pro. His on-field exploits were largely done away from Pittsburgh, but he had two stints as Steelers head coach.
Chuck Noll (1969-91)
A very decorated coach, Chuck Noll oversaw four Super Bowl victories for the Steelers. He was named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, as well as the 1970s and 80s All-Decade Teams.
Bill Cowher (1992-2006)
Taking over from Noll was a tough ask for Bill Cowher, but he returned the Steelers to postseason glory immediately. It took a long time for him to win his sole Super Bowl. Yet, the Steelers challenged more times than not under Cowher’s guidance.
Which other former members of the Steelers organization find themselves immortalized in Canton?
Dates in parenthesis represent the years spent with the Steelers. Team in italics identifies the team they are associated with in the Hall of Fame.
Bert Bell, Owner/Head Coach (1940-46) Philadelphia Eagles
The man credited with the idea for the NFL Draft, Bert Bell was assured his place among Hall of Famers, even if his role with the Steelers was somewhat smaller. Only head coach for one year, he was an owner of the Steelers for six years before going on to be NFL commissioner for 14 years post-Pittsburgh.
Art Rooney, Founder/Chairman/Owner (1933-88)
A major part of NFL history, Art Rooney owned the Steelers from 1933 and oversaw four Super Bowl victories in that time. Throughout history, the Steelers franchise has been a major part of the NFL, with Rooney highly-revered among other NFL owners.
Dan Rooney, General Manager/President/Owner (1969-1970, 1975-2016)
Dan Rooney has served multiple roles within the Steelers, even spending two years as general manager. He took over as team president in 1975 and oversaw six Super Bowl victories for the organization. The stability of the Steelers franchise in terms of their head coaches is a credit to both Art and Dan Rooney’s patience and long-term thinking.
The Rooney Rule — created in 2003 — was named after Dan Rooney, who was a part of the league’s diversity committee. The NFL policy requires all 32 teams with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one diverse candidate for the position.
Bill Nunn, Assistant Personnel Director/Scout (1970-2014)
Lesser known in terms of his role in Pittsburgh’s organization, Bill Nunn spent 45 years with the Steelers. During his time as the assistant personnel director, the Steelers built one of the most dominant teams in NFL history.
Ben Rolfe is a Senior Managing Editor at Pro Football Network and is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can find him on Twitter @BenRolfePFN.