NFL Hall of Fame, Five Who Are, Five Who Will Be Part One: Pittsburgh Steelers

Five Who Are There, Five That Will Be: Pittsburgh Steelers

Since 1933, a total of 23 players from the Pittsburgh Steelers have made it into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

These players hold a place in history reserved for the most prolific athletes in the game, and it is every player's dream to one day be inducted into the elite class of players who epitomize everything football.

The road to Canton is perilous, and many players who could have very well ended up there, have suffered career-ending injuries that have eliminated them from contention.

This looks at five Steeler players already in Canton, and five Steeler players who have the potential to one day be enshrined in the same glory for their impact on the game.

Let's start with the five who are already there, and acknowledge the man who has stamped his brand on the Steeler Franchise from top to bottom.

Art Rooney (1902-1988)

Art purchased the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1933, and in 1940 renamed them the Pittsburgh Steelers. The beginning of the Steeler era was not pretty and in the first eight years under Art Rooney, the team lost money; in fact the Steelers did not have a winning season until 1942, and did not win their first Super Bowl until 1975.

Art never lost faith in his team however, and in 1975, they defeated the Minnesota Vikings at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans by a final score of 16-6. The players presented Art with the game ball in the locker room after the game.

Mr. Rooney was much more than an owner, he was a vital component to the development of the National Football League as we know it today.

He was a pioneer in the football world and never settled for anything but the very best from his players, both on and off the field. In 1964, Mr. Rooney's bust was unveiled and he took his rightful place in the Hall of Fame.

The Steeler organization is the Rooneys, and to this day the family faithfully follows the footsteps of its founder. Players are expected to be every bit as professional on the field as they are off the field, and those who end up in Pittsburgh are always exceptionally proud to wear the Black and Gold.

Players who cause problems are usually traded or released, and it is a well-known fact that you play in Pittsburgh for the love of the game.

At the time of Art Rooney's death in 1988, the Pittsburgh Steelers had won four Lombardi Trophies. His memory lives on, and he will forever be the face of the Steeler Nation.

Dan Rooney (1932-Present)

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, Dan earned his place next to his father by being a key figure, not only in the Steeler organization, but also in the formation of the NFL as a whole.

He has held key positions in the National Football League, and was on the expansion board that allowed the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers into the league in 1976.

One of the great names in the game, Dan has been a moderator between team owners and players, and has always been known as a voice of reason.

It is safe to say that although he never played a single down, never sacked a quarterback, or even kicked a field goal, Mr. Rooney is as deserving as any player of his place in Steeler history.

Dan Rooney is currently the United States Ambassador to Ireland.

Ernie Stautner (1925-2006)

In 1950, the Steelers took a chance on a defensive lineman who wasn't quite the size of the other guys in the game.

At just over six feet, Ernie didn't quite fit the mold of the standard linebacker of the 1950's, but there was something special about Ernie, he played with a tenacity and ferocity that gave hope to the Steeler faithful.

Ernie was everything the Steeler organization represents, he was a team player with grit and determination in the trenches.

The Bavarian-born defensive beast lived the American dream. Earning the right to play in nine Pro Bowls and being named the Defensive Lineman of the year in 1957, Ernie paved his own road to Canton.

Terry Bradshaw (1948-Present)

The Louisiana native is the only quarterback in the NFL to win four Super Bowls. Terry wasn't always the beloved Steeler quarterback though, his first years in Pittsburgh weren't pretty.

He was heckled and harassed by fans unmercifully, but he still suited up and played. In the 70's the Steelers dominated the NFL, and Terry Bradshaw anchored an offense that played second fiddle to The Steel Curtain.

Terry has overcome the demon that tormented him throughout his pro career; he had suffered his severe depression in silence.

Today you can see him every Sunday on FOX NFL Sunday. He has a lot less hair, and the crew gives him a hard time, but Terry is always smiling, even when Frank Caliendo gets him in the cross hairs.

Jack Lambert (1952-Present)

When Jack Lambert lined up opposite the O-line, they knew that this was “gonna hurt.”

Lambert was the anchor of the Steel Curtain, and a man who took no prisoners. He had speed, agility and solid football knowledge on his side; you mix that with ferocity and determination, and it becomes obvious why many believe he was the key ingredient to the success the Steelers enjoyed in the 1970's.

If Rookie of the Year, nine consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and eight All Pro selections were not enough to seal his spot, his game-winning interception in Super Bowl XIV definitely earned him his place in Canton.

The Steel Curtain was the most dominant defense in NFL history and Lambert had plenty of back-up in Mean Joe Green, Jack Ham, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White, but it was Lambert who made the NFL rewrite the rules, and his toothless grin caused many players, including John Elway, to have nightmares after the game. Jack was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Class of 1990.

The Five That Will Be are all players from the new millennium, although there have been many before them who have left an indelible mark and will also one day end up in Canton.

Bearing in mind that there are at least 5 players on the current roster who have the potential to end up as Hall of Fame players, of the following, two of the five have retired.

The others are still active and will highly likely wear the Steeler uniform throughout their NFL career.

Ben Roethilesberger

Although he just finished serving a four game suspension for violating the NFL Player Conduct Rules for an incident in Georgia, Ben is still a top ranked quarterback, and in his seventh year, he already has two Super Bowl rings.

He is feared amongst NFL defenses for his ability to scramble out of the pocket and make big plays downfield.

His most memorable of these plays came in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XLIII, when he connected with Santonio Holmes in the end zone, for a touchdown that sealed the Steelers victory.

The majority of NFL quarterbacks go their entire career without hoisting one Lombardi, Ben has hoisted two, and with the quality of players surrounding him, he is sure to get to hoist one more.

This said, Ben has put his career in jeopardy several times, with two incidents involving allegations of sexual misconduct, and another when he was involved in a motorcycle accident in which he was allegedly not wearing a helmet.

Drafted in the first round of the 2004 draft, “Big Ben,” who had found great success with 2003 Miami Redhawks, found himself in the same draft that produced Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers.

After an injury sidelined Tommy Maddox, the Steelers put Ben in during a stormy game in Miami, where he succeeded in ripping out 15 straight wins, an NFL record for a rookie quarterback.

His style of play has kept him out of the discussions of “elite” quarterbacks, but his accomplishments speak for themselves.

Ben may not be a first-ballot inductee, his off-the-field performance has hung a dark cloud over his name that may be around for quite some time.

If he manages to turn his life around, stay out of trouble, and focus on what he is paid to do, Ben will eventually end up in Canton.

Last year, Big Ben signed a contract worth $102 million, that will keep him in Pittsburgh for the next eight years. Ben has stated that he wants to spend his entire career in Pittsburgh and wants to retire a Steeler.

Troy Polamalu

Drafted 16th overall in the 2003 draft, the former USC Trojan quickly became known as the most dangerous strong safety in the NFL.

Selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and 2008, Troy has become the safety the Rooney's had longed for.

If you ask any wide receiver or quarterback in the NFL who they feel they have to account to for every play from scrimmage, the majority will say Troy Polamalu.

With his trademark hair flowing behind him, Troy is known for blowing up plays both in front of and behind the line of scrimmage. His football knowledge and ability to read the defense is uncanny.

It doesn't hurt that his teammates consist of players like Lamar Woodley, Casey Hampton, and James Farrior.

After missing most of the 2009 season due to injuries, Troy is back. The Steeler defense seems to be missing a key component when he is not on the field, and becomes electrifying and deadly when he is.

Statistics show that when Polamalu is not on the field the defense has less turnovers and fewer interceptions.

Troy is not loud about his success, his smile is contagious, and his love of the game obvious, he has stated he has no intention of moving from team to team, and wants to play his entire career in Pittsburgh.

Troy signed a contract that puts him in Pittsburgh through 2011, the deal is worth just over $30 million.

With his million dollar hair (insured by Lloyd's of London), his killer smile, and his on-the-field performance, Troy is on his way to Canton and without a doubt, will be a first ballot inductee.

Hines Ward

Hines is that guy you can't help but love. He is the epitome of not only a wide receiver, but also of the consummate team player.

The former University of Georgia Bulldog was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1998 draft. His college stats were impressive, leaving him second to Herschel Walker in all time Bulldogs history.

In his 13th season as a Pittsburgh Steeler, he is enjoying a success that few have ever come close to. He has shattered Steeler records in receiving, passing John Stallworth on the all time leader-board, and eclipsing the 11,000-yard mark.

As much as Ward is respected for his ability to make big plays, he is also well respected for his blocking abilities. Ward was responsible for the hit on Cincinnati receiver Keith Rivers, that broke his shoulder and ended Rivers' season.

The NFL did not fine him for the hit, as it was a legal hit at the time; however, the following season would see new rules about blocking put in to place, these changes stemmed directly from that event.

The Baltimore Ravens were rumored to have placed a “bounty” on Ward and running back, Rashard Mendenhall, a bounty that Ward laughed about in an interview.

Although Mendenhall was injured in the game and left with a broken shoulder, Ward remained unharmed.

One of his most memorable traits is his ability to “lay the lumber” on a player, then go over and extend his hand to help that same player back up.

Hines is everything Steelers, and represents the highest quality and excellence that the Steeler organization has always had. There is no doubt he will be a first ballot inductee, and his smile will be forever etched in bronze.

Jerome Bettis

Jerome attended Notre Dame where he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1993. After the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995, Jerome spent his final season as a running back for the team. He was then picked up by the Steelers in 1996 and spent the next 10 seasons as their premier running back.

Under coach Bill Cowher, aka “The Chin,” Bettis enjoyed a career that shattered records, and made him the most dominant third-and-short running back in the NFL.

As far as running backs go, Jerome was not the atypical player, and at 5'11” and 255 pounds, he punished the line. Over his career, he ran for 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns.

He capped off his career with a win in his hometown of Detroit. It wasn't the typical win however, he left the NFL and the Steelers with a victory in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks, and ending his career by hoisting the Lombardi in front of his hometown crowd.

Bettis earned the name “The Bus” with his power running, and was always there to give protection to the quarterback on plays his number wasn't called.

He was loved both on and off the field and never one to let down his fans, at both training camp and games, Jerome happily signed autographs and shook the hands of the fans who adored him.

Since his retirement, Jerome has written several books on his NFL career, including "My Life In and Out of the Helmet,” and "My Unforgettable Run to the Super Bowl”. Both are available at Amazon. Jerome spent his career living and breathing the game, and will certainly be a first ballot inductee to the Hall of fame.

Bill Cowher

Although he played for the AFC North Rival Cleveland Browns, and Pennsylvania's other team, the Philadelphia Eagles, Bill Cowher left his thumbprint on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 1992 he succeeded famed Steeler head coach Chuck Noll. The Steelers seemed not to miss a beat and under his tenure they appeared in two Super Bowls; the first was a loss to the Dallas Cowboys 27-17, the second was Super Bowl Xl in which his team defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-10.

If that wasn't an impressive enough resume, under his coaching the Steelers won the AFC North eight times, played in 21 playoff games, and advanced to six AFC title games.

In 2007, after 15 years, Bill finally retired from coaching, but the players he left behind never forgot the impact he had on their lives.

Today “Coach” is a television personality on NFL Today on CBS, and is constantly in the rumor mill.

At the end of every season begins a series of rumors circling the question of where he will be coaching next year. If he ever does return to coaching, you can bet the team will enjoy great success.

On July 24, 2010, Bill suffered a great loss, his wife Kaye passed away at age 54. His former players who had known his wife were stunned, and the much loved Steelers' coach was embraced and supported by the men he once demanded the very best from.

Bill will be remembered in Steeler history, and his place in Canton is written in stone. Without question, he will be another first-ballot inductee.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

These are players who had outstanding careers in Blitzburgh, and are worthy of nomination into the Hall of fame. Among these are Greg Lloyd, Louis Lipps, Alan Faneca, all three of who are worthy of a place in Canton but unfortunately will probably never get past the nomination process.

The bar is set high, and many who have had incredible careers in the NFL will never see those hallowed halls. To all those greats who played the game and left everything on the field we salute you.

October is a “PINK” month in the NFL, all 32 teams will be sporting the pink ribbons to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Real men do wear pink, or maybe you would like to tell a linebacker that pink isn't his color. Good luck with that!

Next: AFC North rival the Baltimore Ravens

Sources: http://www.nfl.com/

http://www.steelers.com/

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/teams.aspx