Steelers vs. Packers: Power Ranking the Teams' Past Super Bowl Heroes

The two most storied franchises in NFL history are squaring off in Super Bowl XLV. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers combine for nine Super Bowl wins.

None of those wins came easily and each had its own heroes. There are plenty of names to choose from when considering the most heroic figures in the two teams' Super Bowl histories.

Here are those heroes, ranked by influence.

14. Willie Parker, Super Bowl XL

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

DETROIT - FEBRUARY 05: Willie Parker #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs for a Super Bowl record 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brian

Willie Parker had a modest 10 carries for 93 yards in Super Bowl XL, while Jerome Bettis carried 14 times.

But it was Parker's Super Bowl record 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave the Steelers the boost they needed in a sloppy game.

13. Officiating Crew, Super Bowl XL

Harry How/Getty Images

DETROIT - FEBRUARY 05: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks argues a call with referee Bill Leavy after throwing a pass out of bounds to receiver Darrell Jackson #82 in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL

The Seattle Seahawks not only had to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL, they also had to beat the officiating crew.

Ben Roethlisberger's rushing touchdown couldn't be confirmed or overturned under further review, so the call simply stood. A questionable offensive pass interference call nullified a Seattle touchdown. There was a phantom holding call against the 'Hawks.

A personal foul against Matt Hasselbeck while making a tackle was hotly contested.

Referee Bill Leavy admitted to making two crucial mistakes in 2010.

12. Brett Favre, Super Bowl XXXI

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

26 Jan 1997: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers passes the ball during Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allspor

With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Brett Favre's career, it's strange to think that he's only won one Super Bowl.

It wasn't a legendary performance, but it was important and timely.

Favre completed 14-of-27 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He added a rushing touchdown.

11. James Harrison, Super Bowl XLIII

Doug Benc/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes an interception in the Cardinals endzone in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Flori

James Harrison's 100-yard interception return touchdown to end the first half of Super Bowl XLIII was one of the most scintillating plays in Super Bowl history.

The play was potentially a 14-point swing that changed the complexion of the entire game. The game was decided by four points and likely would have had a different winner without Harrison's magical rumble.

10. Chuck Noll, Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV

Ken Levine/Getty Images

23 Sep 1990: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won the game, 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport

Chuck Noll is the reason that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the powerful franchise they are. Noll drafted pretty much all of the Steelers' Super Bowl heroes from their four wins in the the 1970s.

Noll provided the mindset necessary for the Steelers to be a perfect four-for-four in Super Bowls under him.

9. Franco Harris, Super Bowls IX, X

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

1984: Running back Franco Harris #32 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs during a game in the 1984 NFL season. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Franco Harris was phenomenal in Super Bowl IX, rushing for 158 yards and a touchdown. But his less-sparkling game in Super Bowl X may have been more important.

Harris had a modest 44 rushing yards and two touchdowns as well as three catches for 66 yards.

8. Max McGee, Super Bowl I

Max McGee wasn't supposed to play in Super Bowl I. But starting wide receiver Boyd Dowler went down with an injury and McGee had to step up.

He did so by catching seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. McGee stepped in and made it look like he was still in his prime.

7. Steel Curtain Defense, Super Bowl IX

Ken Levine/Getty Images

23 Sep 1990: Pittsburgh Steelers coach (Mean) Joe Greene looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won the game, 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport

The Steel Curtain Defense of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the most iconic defenses in the NFL's history.

It flexed its muscles in Super Bowl IX, holding the Minnesota Vikings to 119 yards of total offense and nine first downs and recording a safety.

The defense was led by "Mean" Joe Green and Jack Ham.

6. Desmond Howard, Super Bowl XXXI

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

26 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Desmond Howard of the Green Bay Packers moves the ball during Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsp

Desmond Howard provided one of the most electric special teams performances the Super Bowl has ever seen in Super Bowl XXXI.

Howard totaled 244 return yards, including a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter that really put that game in hand for the Packers.

Howard was named MVP of the game.

5. Vince Lombardi, Super Bowls I, II

If only the Super Bowl would have been implemented earlier, Vince Lombardi would have won more than anyone.

But he only got to coach in two of them and won them both. Lombardi's player preparation helped offset injuries to star Paul Hornung and wide receiver Boyd Dowler in Super Bowl I.

4. Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl XLIII

Doug Benc/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a touchdown in fourth quarter against Aaron Francisco #47 and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie #29 of the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond

With less than a minute left to play and down three points, Santonio Holmes made a diving, toe-dragging catch in the corner of the end zone amidst multiple Arizona defenders to win Super Bowl XLIII for the Steelers.

Holmes had nine catches for 131 yards and that one all-important touchdown.

3. Lynn Swann, Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV

Lynn Swann's performances as a wide receiver in Super Bowls is unmatched. His four catches—including that outstanding diving grab in the second quarter—went for 161 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl X, earning him MVP honors.

Swann had seven catches for more than 100 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XIII. In Super Bowl XIV, he had five catches for 79 yards and yet another touchdown.

2. Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 21: Retired Quarterback Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers holds up his old number during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field on October 21, 2002 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won 28-10.(P

Terry Bradshaw is a four-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP. He threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns in Super Bowl XIII.

He followed that up with 309 passing yards and two touchdowns in Super Bowl XIV. His command of all four games was irreplaceable.

1. Bart Starr, Super Bowls I, II

Bart Starr was picked in the 200th overall in the 17th round of the 1956 NFL Draft. All he did was become a Hall of Fame quarterback and win two Super Bowls. (He also won plenty of NFL Championships.)

Starr was named MVP of both Super Bowls he played in. He threw for 250 yards and two scores in the first Super Bowl ever held. In Super Bowl II, he threw for 202 yards and a touchdown.