On Wednesday's episode of Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, Steelers' Heyward and his co-host Hayden Walsh welcomed comedian Joey Mulinaro. They discussed a variety of topics but one of them was discussing who was the most underrated Steeler of all time. Heyward said that he felt Casey Hampton was completely underappreciated.
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Linebacker LaMarr Woodley #56 and defensive lineman Casey Hampton #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sack quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Heinz Field on December 20, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Packers 37-36. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Hampton lovingly referred to as "Big Snack" was a soft-spoken, but hard-hitting nose tackle who played for the Steelers from 2001-2012. He helped Pittsburgh win two Super Bowls and was selected to play in five Pro Bowls. He was a first-round draft pick for the Steelers and spent his entire career with the team. Hampton played in 157 regular season games, recording 350 tackles, nine sacks, three passes deflected, four forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.
During the podcast, Mulinaro shared that Steelers Hall of Fame Safety, Troy Polamalu said during his speech that Heyward was one of the players on the current team that would have fit in well on the 2005 Super Bowl team.
Photo Credit: Not Just Football with Cam Heyward YouTube
Cameron Heyward On How Casey Hampton Held The Steelers Defense Together
Heyward said it was quite an honor because many of the players from that era do not get the respect they deserve, none as much as Hampton.
"If you look back at that 2005 game versus Seattle Seahawks they shut down Shaun Alexander, like completely shut down the running game. Mr. Rooney, old man Rooney, gave the (Lombardi) trophy to Hamp to have on the plane and said we want you to be the first one to take it off the plane. They said Hampton broke down in tears, for Mr. Rooney to go back on the plane when everybody's just gone at this point after the Super Bowl. Hampton was in tears because he was the reason why they won that game," Heyward said.
"Aaron Smith, Brett Kiesel, Joey Porter, Lamar Woodley and James Harrison who was on the Special Teams at that time. Then you had Troy Polamalu, you had Ryan Clark, Chris Hope. I'm not even talking about their inside linebackers, they had James Farrier, Larry Foote, Ike Taylor you had B-Mac (Bryant McFadden). You know these guys, you know I love looking at the ESPN cover. It was like, is this the best defense ever? And you see those stats they're crazy. That defense was just special and I don't think a lot of those guys get enough respect," Mulinaro said.
Mulinaro went on to relay funny stories that have emerged about the players on that defense. He said they had a running gag before the games, during warm-ups the EQ (equipment) guys would all come out and try to wrestle Hampton. Hampton stood about 6'1" and weighed about 325 pounds, he was as strong as an ox and they weren't getting him down. Heyward added that Hampton and Foote also had a speed-walking competition before every game and Hampton always won.
TAMPA, FL - February 1: James Farrior #51, Casey Hampton #98 and James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate with cigars in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers won the game by a score of 27-23. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
That defense was certainly memorable and amazingly talented. They showed up, put their nose to the grindstone and played old-school Steelers smashmouth football. Hampton was a huge part of why that defense was so successful. Unfortunately, nose tackles rarely get the accolades they deserve so it is wonderful to hear that Mr. Rooney recognized his important contribution to the team and more importantly showed Big Snack how grateful he was.
What is your favorite Hampton memory? What do you think of when you think of that defensive line? Comment below!
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