The Pittsburgh Steelers have three numbers officially retired. Ernie Stautner's number 70, Joe Greene's 75, and most recently added was 32 for legendary running back, Franco Harris. It is noticeable that the list does not include Terry Bradshaw, who won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award in back-to-back years (1979 and 1980). Jersey retirements are on the minds of many fans of Pittsburgh sports after the Pittsburgh Penguins sent Jaromir Jagr's number 68 to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday. Joe Starkey of 93.7 The Fan thinks it's about time the franchise buried the hatchet with their first franchise quarterback and gave him the honor he deserves.
Lucy Schaly / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Pittsburgh Penguins legend, Jaromir Jagr's number rises into the rafters at PPG Paints Arena during a ceremony on Sunday, Feb 18.
Jagr has had a complicated relationship with the Penguins. The five-time Art Ross Trophy winner was traded to the Washington Capitals in July 2001 due to the financial struggles of the Pens. He was often booed by Pittsburgh fans during his returns while playing for other teams. In 2011, Jagr returned to the NHL after playing in Russia's top league, the KHL. There were rumors that he might sign with Pittsburgh, but he ended up signing with the Philadelphia Flyers. However, the relationship between Jagr and the Penguins has since improved, and it was a special moment for both fans and the team to honor the legendary player.
On his Monday show on 93.7 The Fan, Starkey expressed his opinion that it is time for the Steelers to do the same with Bradshaw.
"The fact that Terry Bradshaw's jersey isn't retired is a franchise embarrassment. I don't care what his relationship was like when he left the Steelers. I don't care about anything he's said or done. It's a joke."
Starkey continued that in every other city in America that has an NFL franchise, a player with Bradshaw's resume, particularly at the game's most essential position, wouldn't be retired. His resume includes an AP MVP Award in 1978, two Super Bowl MVPs, four Super Bowl rings, and in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pittsburgh did enshrine him in the Ring of Honor in its inaugural class in 2017, but Starkey doesn't think that is enough for the original TB12.
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Steelers' Terry Bradshaw scouts the defense before a snap in Super Bowl XIII.
Starkey believes retiring a jersey should be reserved for only the most exceptional athletes. While he understands that it is not possible to retire all 22 numbers of players who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he argues that the quarterback, who played a pivotal role in the 1970s dynasty, is a special case. He agreed that the Penguins just gave the Steelers a lesson in bringing back a franchise legend whose relationship with the organization and the fan base was strained.
"I know there's been some peace made with him coming back for a ceremony with his daughters and things like that, but there needs to be the ultimate peace made with Bradshaw and the ultimate honor bestowed upon him. Retire that man's jersey."
A longtime fixture in the Pittsburgh sports media landscape, Bob Pompeani, joined Starkey on the show and was asked if the animosity between Bradshaw and the franchise was the only thing holding a jersey retirement back. He said he doesn't see any other reason that there could be.
Steelers' Next Jersey Retirement Should Be Reserved For Ben Roethlisberger
There are only two quarterbacks in franchise history to lead the team to a Lombardi Trophy: Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. Pompeani and Starkey agreed that retired jerseys should be the greats of the greats, and quarterbacks in football deserve greater respect.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrates after winning his second Super Bowl.
Starkey and Pompeani agreed that the Steelers should not retire anyone's jersey until Bradshaw's number 12 is retired. However, they both acknowledged that the next player to have his jersey retired will be Roethlisberger. The Miami (OH) product played only for the Steelers, is fifth on the all-time passing list, and is a future Hall of Famer. Bradshaw and Roethlisberger are integral to the Steelers' history and thus deserve the highest honor the team can bestow upon them.
Do you agree with Starkey that it's long past time the Steelers retire Bradshaw's jersey? Do you agree Roethlisberger should be next? Comment below!
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