The outstanding performance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top players over the years has influenced the sports betting experience of fans of the Black and Gold. 32 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame mentioned players, come from the Steel City. In this article, we will be exploring the top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers players of all time.
The Legacy of the Pittsburgh Steelers – A Franchise of Champions
The Black and Gold have stunned the NFL world since 1970 with a regular season record of 444-282-2. Overall, "Blitzburgh" has won 480 games including playoffs.
The Steelers have reached the final round of the AFC playoffs 16 times. With six Super Bowl titles to boast. The Black and Gold have hosted more AFC championships than any other NFL team. This puts the team on a twin podium with the New England Patriots who have won equal numbers for the Super Bowl title.
Through various periods of the club’s history and growth, the Steelers have known legendary players to whom the team’s unquestionable dominance is attributed. As far back as 1970, Franco Harris and Mean Joe Greene steered the Steelers in the path of NFL glory. Betiton Sport offers the best online betting tips and competitive odds to help you bet on sports while enjoying the NFL games.
The Greatest Pittsburgh Steelers Players of All Time
The players who feature on our list of greatest Pittsburgh Steelers are inducted into the Hall of Fame. We chose the best Steelers of all time based on their football achievements, postseason performance, longevity with the club, and off-field contributions.
10. Rod Woodson – (Cornerback)
Woodson was drafted by the Steelers in 1987 and played for them until 1996. He then played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1997, the Baltimore Ravens from 1998–2001, and the then-Oakland Raiders from 2002–2003. In 2000, Woodson won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
9. Jerome Bettis – (Running Back)
In his first season with the Steelers, Bettis rushed for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons with the Steelers. In 1997, he rushed for a career-best 1,665 yards in the first 15 games. He holds the Steelers' franchise record for rushing yards in a single season when including postseason play, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
8. Lynn Swann – (Wide Receiver)
Swann played wide receiver for the Steelers his entire NFL career, wearing number 88. He was named All-Pro in 1975, 1977, and 1978, and was selected for the Pro Bowl each of those years. In 1978, he was voted a First Team All-Pro. In 1975 and 1977, he was voted a Second Team All-Pro. At the time of his retirement, his 364 receiving yards in four games ranked first in Super Bowl history.
7. Troy Polamalu – (Safety)
Polamalu led the Steelers to seven playoff appearances in 12 years. He won five division titles, Super Bowls XL and XLIII, and was named First Team All-Pro four times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 and is known for his "range, explosiveness, and impact on the field.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
6. Hines Ward – (Wide Receiver)
Ward holds the Steelers' all-time records for receptions and receiving touchdowns. He was Super Bowl XL MVP and his playing style was known for his tough, physical blocking ability as much as his receiving skills.
5. Ben Roethlisberger – (Quarterback)
Roethlisberger was one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. He retired with 64,088 career passing yards, 418 touchdowns, and 5,440 completions, and spent all 18 years of his career in Pittsburgh. He won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and helped the Black and Gold win eight AFC North division titles.
4. Franco Harris – (Running Back)
Franco Harris’s time spent with the Steelers cannot be forgotten, being one of the most prolific running backs of the Black and Gold. Harris was renowned for his “Immaculate Reception” in December 1972. During an AFC playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, in the final moments, Harris caught the ball in mid-air off of a deflection and scored an astonishing winning touchdown.
3. Jack Lambert – (Linebacker)
Lambert was named to nine consecutive Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro eight times. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and is a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. He was also named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.
2. Terry Bradshaw – (Quarterback)
Terry Bradshaw is considered one of the greatest players in Pittsburgh Steelers history, leading them to four Super Bowl victories and being widely regarded as a very good quarterback during his time with the team; he is often cited as the best quarterback in Steelers history and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Joe Greene – (Defensive Tackle)
Joe Greene’s contribution to the defense of Pittsburgh was a game-changer to the team’s trophy-winning spree. He is reputed to be one of Steelers’ best players ever. For 13 seasons, Greene led the Steel Curtain defense, masterminding a defensive tackle position that helped the team win four Super Bowl Championships.
Greene’s career was littered with prestigious awards. He was a 5x First Team All-Pro, 10x Pro Bowler, and Rookie of the Year in 1969. In the 1974 season, Greene was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year as he helped his team win their first trophy in Super Bowl IX.
Sports Betting and the Pittsburgh Steelers
Defining your online sports betting strategy when wagering on Pittsburgh matches is crucial to enhancing your sports betting experience.
How the Steelers’ Performance Affects NFL Betting Markets
As the game has evolved through the years, the Steelers have shown dominance in high-pressure games. Sports betting markets are influenced by the performance of the Steelers per game. As retired Pittsburgh Steelers players leave room for new athletes to fill the gap, hence careful analysis and research are needed when engaging in American football betting.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers offensive linemen Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier work out with the team.
Punters can wager on pre-match markets or take advantage of live betting opportunities. The NFL betting odds may fluctuate based on the following reasons:
Injuries
Poor team form
Betting on the Steelers – Key Considerations
To make the most of your NFL betting experience, it is important to consider wagering on betting markets that you master. Three popular types of betting markets include:
Spreads
Moneyline
Prop Bets
To stay ahead of your betting online experience, the following tips can be used to guide you:
Research on and analyse the historical performances of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Focus on the defensive and offensive strengths of the team, when betting.
Conclusion
The best Pittsburgh Steelers players of all time have contributed to the success and reputation of the club. The top 10 players from the Black and Gold have each found a spot in the Hall of Fame, pending Roethlisberger and Ward. Betting on the Steelers games involves rigorous research, analysis, and statistics, which you will find at Betiton.
