The Pittsburgh Steelers' legendary four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, recently shared a captivating story from the glory days of the Black and Gold during an episode of Julian Edelman's Games With Names podcast.
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Steelers' Terry Bradshaw (12) uncorks a pass in Super Bowl XIV.
In this revealing conversation, Bradshaw reminisced about a pivotal moment that would forever alter the course of the Steelers' defense in the 1970s.
Steelers' Legendary Steel Curtain Is Born
Bradshaw vividly recalled an incident involving defensive end Dwight "Mad Dog" White during a practice session in the 1970s. In the heat of the moment, White delivered a thunderous hit, sending Bradshaw sprawling to the ground.
"He came through and he decked me, knocked me back over, a** kettle, helmet flew off. Practice. Found the football, got up, I tried to kill him. Boy I was pi****. He came over and I said, 'Let me tell you something, Mad Dog. You may lose with me, you'll never win without me!'"
Despite the initial commotion, both Bradshaw and White struggled to recall the exact words exchanged in their heated argument. The two sat on their helmets recounting the incident after practice.
"It took 30 minutes, but we go, and you'll never win without me. 'Yeah, that's it. Yeah, oh I like that,'" Bradshaw said White replied. "I said, 'Well I like it too, that's an original.' And it kind of became the theme of their defense. They used to use it all the time."
The era of the 1970s Steelers holds a special place in the hearts of Steelers fans fortunate enough to have witnessed their historic run. However, it was this argument, this clash of wills between Bradshaw and White, that helped fuel the legendary defense known as the Steel Curtain.
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Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood made up the greatest defensive line of the Super Bowl era.
The Steel Curtain, an iconic defensive line of the 1970s, stands as an indelible part of Steelers history. This formidable defensive unit served as the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, propelling the team to four Super Bowl victories (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) in a remarkable span of just six years.
The 1976 season for the Steelers began with adversity, as they found themselves with a 1-4 record and the loss of their star quarterback, Bradshaw. However, this challenging situation paved the way for one of the most remarkable defensive performances in NFL history.
Over the remaining nine games of the season, the Steel Curtain lived up to its name, recording an astounding five shutouts, with three of them being uninterrupted. They allowed only two touchdowns, both occurring in a single game, and conceded just five field goals. The average number of points allowed per game was a mere 3.1, and the Steelers boasted an average margin of victory of 22 points.
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“Mean” Joe Greene was a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain defense and a team that became a dynasty in the ’70s.
The Steel Curtain defense featured a formidable lineup of legendary players who made a lasting impact on the NFL and the Steelers franchise. "Mean" Joe Greene was a superstar defensive tackle who played for the Steelers from 1969 to 1981. He was a 10 time Pro Bowler (1969-1976, 1978, 1979), and a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1972, 1974). He earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Steelers All-Time Team, and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Alongside him was L. C. Greenwood, a defensive end who graced the Steelers' roster from 1969 to 1981. Greenwood secured six Pro Bowl selections (1973-1976, 1978, 1979). He was a vital part of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and the esteemed Steelers All-Time Team.
Additionally, Ernie Holmes, a defensive tackle who played for the Steelers from 1972 to 1977, made significant contributions to the team's Super Bowl victories in IX and X.
Completing this legendary lineup was White, a defensive end whose Steelers tenure spanned from 1971 to 1980. White received two Pro Bowl nods (1972, 1973). He was a highly regarded member of the Steelers All-Time Team.
The Steel Curtain is undoubtedly one of the most historic defenses in not just Steelers history, but NFL history. Bradshaw's perspective on what helped form this iconic defensive unit adds a fascinating layer to the cherished lore of the Steelers.
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