The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for their hard-hitting defenses for decades. Whether it was the "Steel Curtain" in the 1970s or "Blitzburgh" in the 1990s, or any of the groups in between, opponents come knowing they are going to take a beating. This has given them quite a reputation over the years. They are both feared and respected and sometimes come off as "a*******" according to a former opponent.
Associated Press
“Mean” Joe Greene was a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain defense and a team that became a dynasty in the ’70s.
Those "a*******" include some of the biggest, toughest names in the NFL. While currently opponents fear Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, they all emulated the men who came before them, including Joe Greene, James Harrison, Jack Lambert, and Troy Polamalu to name just a few.
These players spend time in the Steel City and leave their mark, which gives the next generation a road map of what is expected. We are seeing that emerge now with Keeanu Benton, Joey Porter, Jr., and Nick Herbig. We hear how these greats are revered by the younger generation, but we don't always get to hear about the impression they left on the opponent.
Steelers Defenders Left Lasting Impression On Kyle Long
Heyward, who has played defensive tackle for the Steelers since he was drafted in 2011, has left a lasting mark on the organization. A six-time Pro Bowler and the current Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year, Heyward is a leader on and off the field. He embodies exactly what you'd think a Steelers defender would: tough and relentless on the field and a champion for his city off the field.
NFL
Steelers' Cameron Heyward finally won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, seen here with Prince Harry.
He recently appeared on the Green Light podcast, which is hosted by Chris Long and Kyle Long. The Long brothers are the sons of NFL legend Howie Long and have that NFL family legacy, like Heyward. On the recent episode, Kyle, who was an offensive guard for the Chicago Bears, shared with listeners about his first introduction to the Steelers' defense.
"My introduction to the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, it was my rookie year, 2013, and we went up to Heinz Field on Monday Night Football. During one of those plays, I'm blocking, maybe I was blocking you (meaning Heyward), or trying to block you and the play ended, and I'm trying to walk back to the huddle. I'm walking by a pile and [Brett] Keisel tabletops me over a pile. I go to put my hand up for him to pick me up and he psyches me out. I got up and I was like, 'Uh, you're that guy, huh,' and he was like, 'I guess so.' In my brain, I was like, I guess all the Pittsburgh Steelers are just a*******," recounted Kyle.
Kyle goes on to say that he wasn't really surprised. He grew up watching Harrison, who was "the biggest bully in the world." But he was curious who Heyward viewed as that archetypal Steelers defender during his time in Pittsburgh.
Heyward said that he would have to give that honor to Vince Williams. While people don't always think of Williams, Heyward said he just doesn't get enough credit, mentioning that one year as an inside linebacker, he had about seven sacks. He told the Longs that if Williams "gets you in the hole, he is going to make you pay."
Jeffrey Phelps / AP
Steelers fan favorite, Brett Keisel (#99) displays "da beard" and gets excited in the middle of a regular season away game during his NFL career.
The Steelers players may have been a******* that night, but the Bears got the best of them, winning 40-23. While Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed more passes than Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, he also threw two costly interceptions.
What do you think about Kyle's story? Are you surprised opponents view the Steelers that way? Is that a good or bad thing? Who do you see as the prototypical Steelers defender? Click to comment below.
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