The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced their exciting Hall of Honor class for 2024. Four legendary figures from the team will be inducted this year: running back Willie Parker, Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau, Casey Hampton, and Jason Gildon. Steelers Team President Art Rooney II acknowledged the difficulty of selecting just a few individuals for this honor, given the organization's storied history filled with all-time greats.
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Steelers Hall Of Honor At Acrisure Stadium.
Gildon was a standout linebacker during his time with the Steelers from 1994 to 2003. He finished his career with 520 tackles, 80 sacks and two interceptions. Gildon spent his first two seasons as a key contributor on special teams before becoming a consistent starter on defense in 1996.
#Steelers Hall of Honor LB Jason Gildon remembers first sack vs a @Pitt_FB all-time great #Pitt pic.twitter.com/rsbdKzK4vs
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) July 27, 2024
Gildon has been in Pittsburgh since he was announced as a 2024 inductee, taking time to speak with the media. He reminisced about his first-ever sack, which came against Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, recalling every detail and emphasizing how much it meant to him.
“It was against a hometown kid named Dan Marino. I can remember that. That was my first one and it was one of those things where I was subbing in. I was very excited and it happened to be third down. I’m thinking don’t mess up.”
Marino was a highly regarded prospect coming out of the University of Pittsburgh. The Steelers had a chance to draft the hometown star, but chose to pass on him. Marino has openly said that he believes Pittsburgh made a significant mistake by not selecting him. There was even a possibility of him ending his career with the Steelers, but that never materialized.
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Former Dolphins QB Dan Marino gets ready to throw a football.
It seems the Steelers might have indeed missed out by not drafting Marino. Concerns about rumored recreational drug use and a slight dip in his college statistics reportedly deterred the Steelers from picking him. Gildon was pleased to have sacked Marino during his career and still remembers the specific offensive tackle he beat to bring down the legendary quarterback.
“I went by and Richmond Webb was the tackle. That’s how memorable it was. I got down on the ground thinking that was my first one. I was happy with it and I was looking forward to more.”
Steelers' Jason Gildon Had Breakout Season In 2000
Gildon was a standout player, but he didn't have the opportunity to play on one of the all-time great Steelers teams. He was part of the team during a transitional period, long after the glory days of the 1970s. The Steelers had experienced three straight losing seasons before Gildon's breakout season in 2000, where he recorded 13.5 sacks, 75 tackles, and one touchdown. He emerged as the star of the Steelers' defense, leading them to their first winning season in three years.
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Former Steelers outside linebacker Jason Gildon in action against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite not being part of a Super Bowl-winning team, Gildon made a significant impact in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans will be thrilled to honor him alongside Hampton, Parker, and LeBeau, all of whom are deserving of their spots in the Hall of Honor.
30 years ago today….
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) April 25, 2024
Steelers draft Jason Gildon (3rd round, 1994)
⬇️ Gildon’s first career sack was at Dan Marino’s expense and he beat an All-Pro left tackle to do it. pic.twitter.com/96jHFpVeJ8
One memorable moment from Gildon's career is his first sack, which came against Marino. Gildon's detailed recollection of that play shows how much it meant to him, and Steelers fans enjoy hearing such stories from former players. The thought of what might have been if Marino had played for the Steelers instead of the Dolphins remains an intriguing "what if" for many fans.
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