The Pittsburgh Steelers are known as being one of the greatest and most successful franchises in the history of sports. Their long history of success is attributed to an endless list of talented, dynamic, and highly physical players that are praised for their toughness. Tennessee Titans Head Coach, Mike Vrabel, was a guest on a recent episode of Barstool's Bussin' With The Boys podcast. During the episode, Vrabel took the time to reflect on his playing days for the Steelers while praising some of his Pittsburgh teammates for their toughness including Joel Steed, Levon Kirkland, and Dermontti Dawson.
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Former Steelers LB Mike Vrabel
Vrabel's Steelers Career
Vrabel was drafted by the Steelers out of Ohio State in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Vrabel was never a star on the Steelers defense as he did not see much playing time with the team and never made a start. However, he did make his impact felt early on in his career. During Vrabel's rookie year with the Steelers, he managed to sack New England Patriots quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, during the AFC Divisional round of the 1997 NFL season. The sack clinched a 7-6 victory for the Steelers in the low-scoring affair, however the Steelers would end up losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game the next week.
Vrabel would play three more years in the black and gold, but was never able to find his footing. He never eclipsed the sack mark in a season or recorded more than 20 tackles in a season for the Steelers. When his rookie contract expired following the 2000 NFL season, Pittsburgh would not re-sign Vrabel and eventually the Patriots signed him as a free agent. He would find more success in New England, winning three Super Bowls as a player.
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Former Steelers LB and current Titans' coach Mike Vrabel
Vrabel has been the Titans head coach since the day he was hired in 2018. Despite only being a head coach for five seasons, he has found some success early. He helped bring the Titans to the AFC Championship game in the 2019 season, and has been considered extremely consistent and successful so far in his tenure with the Titans. While on the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, host Will Compton asked Vrabel who some of the toughest players he has ever played with were.
"Joel Steed was a nose guard for Pittsburgh. Levon Kirkland. Dermontti Dawson was probably low-key one of the best players I ever played with. Man would reach three-techniques and he was a center. It was amazing. He could fly."
Vrabel would end up naming seven players in total, with three of them coming from his short time in Pittsburgh to start his 14-year NFL playing career. This says a lot about the tenacious and physical culture that has always been synonymous with Steelers football. Highlighting Dawson as one of the best players Vrabel has played with is nothing to take lightly either, as Vrabel was a member of the star-studded Patriots teams during the 2000s.
Dermontti Dawson
Dawson was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played guard during his rookie season, but became the team's starting center in 1989 after his Hall Of Fame predecessor, Mike Webster, retired. Dawson continued the outstanding legacy of the center position for the Steelers by having a highly decorated career, even being considered to have changed the center position.
Dawson is by bar the most accomplished player listed by Vrabel as his accolades are endless. He was selected First Team All-Pro six seasons in a row, and a Pro Bowler for seven seasons straight. Dawson is a member of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, which he was inducted into in 2012. He also is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall Of Honor, and he is on the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team.
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Steelers' Hall Of Fame center, Dermontti Dawson.
Joel Steed
Steed was a nose guard for the Steelers throughout the majority of the 90s, playing for the team from 1992 through 1999, which was his entire NFL career. The Steelers drafted Steed in the third round of the 1992 NFL Draft out of Colorado. He became the Steelers' starting nose guard before his second year with the team and was an extremely talented run stuffer, consistently being around the 40 tackle mark every year. He also recorded nine and a half sacks, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries during his career. Steed was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1997. He may not have been a perennial defensive star, but his run stuffing ability was crucial for the Steelers defenses in the 90s.
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Former Steelers nose guard, Joel Steed.
Levon Kirkland
Kirkland was a gigantic inside linebacker for the Steelers. He was drafted by the team in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft and played for the team through the 2000 season. Kirkland was eventually waived by the Steelers before the 2001 season. He went on to play for both the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.
During his time with Pittsburgh, Kirkland was a star linebacker that accomplished a lot in the black and gold. He was both a First Team All-Pro and Second Team All-Pro, as well as being a two time Pro Bowler, won the NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year Award in 1997, and was selected to the 1990s All-Decade Team. Kirkland is widely considered as one of the best linebackers in Steelers history.
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Steelers' Levon Kirkland (99) was a key part of the Blitzburgh Defense
Whether it's through these player's physicality or talent on the field, it's no question that they have left their mark in the Steelers history books. Even a couple decades after their playing careers have ended, they are still being remembered for their play style and skill level.
Who do you think are some of the toughest players to ever suit up for the Steelers, Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below!
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