Tag: John Stallworth

Who is the greatest WR in Steelers history?

Cast your vote for who the greatest receiver is in Steelers history.

The 33rd Team offered up their Top 10 wide receivers of all time and they included former Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown at No. 8 but he was the only former Steeler to make the cut.

This got us thinking about where Brown fits historically among the best receivers in franchise history. There are really four guys who can make an argument to be on top including Brown. As an old-school fan, I grew up watching John Stallworth and Lynn Swann and while their numbers weren’t great, both guys made their biggest plays in the biggest moments and you cannot diminish their impact on what is the greatest dynasty in NFL history.

Then there is Hines Ward. He’s quietly the statistical leader of the Steelers and one of only 14 players with 1,000 or more career receptions. Ward epitomizes everything it means to be a Steeler. He’s also been an impact player in the most meaningful of moments.

Then there is Brown. In terms of overall talent, Brown stands above the other three. And in terms of numbers, Brown had the greatest six-season stretch in NFL history. But you have to include Brown’s meltdown at the end of his time with Pittsburgh and the fact that for all his numbers, in one Super Bowl with the Steelers, a loss by the way, Brown caught one pass for one yard.

Cast your vote and let us know who you consider the greatest wide receiver in Steelers history.

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33rd Team feeds the ego of former Steelers star wide receiver

33rd Team has Antonio Brown as their No. 8 wide receiver of all time.

When it comes to the NFL, the debate of best of all time at any given position is just fuel for a heated argument. Aside from a consensus about who is at the top at any position, trying to sort out a Top 10 is an even more daunting task.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have several players who could be considered in the Top 10 of their respective positions. This includes wide receiver where Pittsburgh has three former stars in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But when Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team put out of his list of the 10 best receivers of all time, he included a different former Steeler.

Valentino put Antonio Brown at No. 8 all-time but did not include Hines Ward, John Stallworth or Lynn Swann anywhere on the list. Here’s what he had to say about Brown.

Antonio Brown’s achievements on the field make an easy case for his entry into the NFL Hall of Fame. Having clinched a Super Bowl title and earned first-team All-Pro honors four times, along with a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Brown altered the perception of being a dominant wide receiver. Standing at just 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, Brown was virtually unstoppable at his peak.

The bulk of Brown’s impressive stats were accumulated from 2013 to 2018, though he had already made a Pro Bowl appearance in his sophomore year in 2011. During this six-year period, he consistently caught at least 101 passes each season, never dipping below 1,284 yards or eight touchdowns.

He topped the league in receptions and yards twice and in touchdowns once. His most prolific season in 2015 saw him reel in 136 catches for a staggering 1,834 yards.

He’s 25th in yards, 21st in receptions, 26th in touchdowns, and third in yards per game. But self-inflicted mistakes cut his career short, producing only 91 receptions for 1,084 yards and nine touchdowns after turning 31. His lack of longevity in his later years hurt his argument for landing higher, but his peak is impossible to erase. 

Putting aside all of Brown’s nonsense, there is little doubt he’s the most talented receiver in Steelers history. And his six-season stretch from 2013-2018 is unmatched in NFL history. His status as a Hall of Famer is far more debatable given the length of his career and off-field issues.

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Several national NFL writers make the case to enshrine Steelers’ Bill Nunn

With first ballots due next week comes a national urge to induct Steelers’ Bill Nunn into Hall of Fame.

Since early 2020, national pro football writers have made a significant push for former Steelers assistant personnel director and scout to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If you Google Bill Nunn and Hall of Fame, you’ll easily find a dozen links from writers who believe it’s beyond time Nunn is recognized for his contribution to the Steelers.

NFL columnist Jim Trotter is the latest to make a case for enshrining Nunn. According to Trotter, the initial ballots for contributors for the 2021 HOF class are due July 31.

Per Ed Bouchette, who has been equally vocal on Nunn’s behalf, a committee is expected to meet virtually in August to vote in one contributor to the 2021 Hall of Fame. If the recent outpouring of interest in Nunn being enshrined is any sign, he could finally be a finalist.

The contributor category was added in 2014 to recognize “outstanding contributions to professional football in capacities other than playing or coaching.”

We whole-heartedly agree that Nunn deserves to be honored with a bronze bust. After all, he was responsible for the scouting and drafting of players, including Mel Blount, Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Donnie Shell — each who are Hall of Famers in their own right. It’s hard to believe that the Steelers would be a dynasty today if it weren’t for those legendary players.

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WATCH: Steelers-Rams Super Bowl 14 in its entirety

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be presenting Super Bowl XIV on Facebook and YouTube channels Sunday evening.

In 1980, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team to win four Super Bowls when they beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 in Super Bowl 14.

There’s no need to dig out the VCR to relive the matchup, fans can enjoy every magic moment of the gridiron battle via Facebook or YouTube.

For fans seeing it for the first time, you’re in for a treat. Not only does the victory make this game special, but there are some bonuses the Steelers have added, including interviews with wide receiver John Stallworth and safety Donnie Shell.

Coverage starts Sunday at 6 p.m.

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Former Steelers safety Donnie Shell announces Hall of Fame presenter

Donnie Shell, former DB of the Pittsburgh Steelers, announces his presenter for the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.

Safety Donnie Shell, a member of the famed 1970s Steel Curtain, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame by his daughter, April Nicole Shell.

“The thing I really enjoyed was hearing the comments and advocacy of my teammates,” Shell said to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I will cherish that forever. That is awesome. I told my son keep everything from the websites, save it all for my grandkids. To see how they thought of me as a teammate. I knew some of that, but when they expressed that and it came out in articles, it almost brought tears to my eyes.”

Shell is one of 10 seniors who will be enshrined as part of the Centennial Class of 2020. Shell had a shot to be inducted in 2002 when he was in the top 15 of balloting.

Undrafted in 1974, Shell joins four teammates previously inducted into the HOF from that same rookie class: Wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth; linebacker, Jack Lambert; and center, Mike Webster.

To this day, Shell’s career interceptions (51) stand as the most in NFL history for a strong safety. He had at least one INT in each of his 14 seasons. He also had 19 fumble recoveries, one of which he took 21 yards for a touchdown.

Shell enjoyed many accolades during his time with the Steelers. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and was the Steelers MVP in 1980. He saved several potential six points from being scored in Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV.

Shell is the 26th Steeler to be inducted into the HOF.

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