Mike Webster – Syndication Server

Steelers to wear throwback jerseys in honor of Super Bowl IX 50th anniversary

In Week 7 against the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers will wear throwback uniforms inspired by their Super Bowl IX win in the 1974 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will wear throwback jerseys, inspired by their Super Bowl victory 50 years ago, against the New York Jets in Week 7. Super Bowl IX holds a special place in the hearts of all Pittsburgh fans because it was when the Pittsburgh Steelers earned their first Lombardi Trophy, kicking off a journey to become arguably the greatest NFL franchise of all time.

The 1974 season not only resulted in winning the greatest trophy in all of professional football, but it was also responsible for perhaps the greatest draft class in Pittsburgh sports history, producing five Pro Football Hall of Famers: WR Lynn Swann, LB Jack Lambert, WR John Stallworth, C Mike Webster and SS Donnie Shell.

In that Super Bowl, played at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans on Jan. 12, 1975, the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6. Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain defense held quarterback Fran Tarkenton and the Vikings to 119 total yards, which is still a Super Bowl record low.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1846265288439824434

The beloved block-number-style jerseys are coming back in Week 7, and along with the classic look, gray face masks will also return, which were part of the iconic look of this phenomenal team. The Steelers will look to dominate the Jets in classic Steel Curtain fashion, not only to improve their record to 5-2 on the season but to perform at a level the 1974 Steelers would be proud of.

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Brain of former Steelers lineman donated for CTE research

The brain of former Steelers guard, Carlton Haselrig, was donated for CTE research.

After former Steelers offensive lineman Carlton Haselrig died last month, his family followed through on his wishes to donate his brain to Boston University for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) research.

Work is being conducted to diagnose CTE through blood tests or imaging; however, the only way to currently detect it is after death.

Boston University has described CTE as a “progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma (often athletes), including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head that do not cause symptoms.”

“Life starts with family. Carlton was big on family, he respected everyone, inspired his loved ones, and ensured to always support those he encountered,” his family said in a statement. “As his family, we have promised to do our part and uphold the values Carlton has built, starting by executing his desire to donate his brain for CTE research.”

Before joining the Steelers, Haselrig was a six-time national champion heavyweight wrestler at the Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

According to a 2017 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, CTE has been found in 110 of 111 former NFL players who donated their brains for research.

Former Steelers, Hall of Fame center Mike Webster and offensive tackle Justin Strzelczyk, were both found diagnosed with CTE after their deaths. Since Webster’s tragic death in 2002, other high-profile players — including Junior Seau, Frank Gifford, and Kenny Stabler — were diagnosed with CTE postmortem.

In 2017, then-Steelers cornerback Artie Burns said he believes he has CTE.

I definitely know I have it. I’m going to [test positive for] CTE. I don’t need a test. Is it going to tell me how much I have? We play a physical sport, man. Humans are not made to run into each other.

The league is continuously working to make pro football a safer game through protocols, rule changes and improved helmets.

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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.

Very Happy to have my daughter April Nicole Shell as my presenter for the Pro Football HOF in September.
See you in Canton!
Donnie

— Donnie Shell (@donnie_shell) April 5, 2020

“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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The NFL’s 25 best postseason players from the Super Bowl era

Maybe one day Patrick Mahomes or, who knows who else (Joe Burrows even? Heh. Too soon? Too soon?) might join this list, but for now, let’s go with these 25. Some were clear choices while others you might dispute for someone else, but it’s obviously a list full of Super Bowl MVP QBs, so guessing the top 10 or 12 should be easy. The rest are guys you sometimes forget about. With research, marginal recall and experts’ input, here’s the final call.

(Editor’s note: These are not ranked, although the first few are the ones that quickly became clear.)

Tom Brady

He’s at the top of the list for reasons: He’s guided the Patriots to nine (!) Super Bowls and six titles and he has four Super Bowl MVP trophies, all NFL records.

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