The Pittsburgh Steelers have produced some of the greatest players in NFL history, along with a wealth of incredible stories. One of the most cherished figures among fans is the late Tunch Ilkin. Tragically, Ilkin passed away at the age of 63 due to complications from ALS in 2021. Despite his untimely death, Ilkin's legacy endures through the rich history he created.
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Former great offensive tackle Tunch Ilkin looks on during a home game in Pittsburgh.
Ilkin was not only a dominant player for the Steelers, but also enjoyed a long career as a broadcaster. Steelers fans are immensely grateful for the amazing stories Ilkin shared over the years. When he was drafted by Pittsburgh, Ilkin was awestruck by the team's storied history and the chance to be coached by the legendary Chuck Noll.
In his book, In the Locker Room: Tales of the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Playing Field to the Broadcast Booth, Ilkin recounted several incredible stories. One of the most shocking involved a fight with Keith Gary during a practice in his fourth NFL season. The altercation escalated to a point where Ilkin struggled to control his temper, illustrating the intense and competitive nature of those former Steelers teams.
“One day in my fourth season, Keith Gary and I were going at it, and it was a brutal practice. He would push me, and I would push him. One play, he grabbed my facemask and he twisted it. I went ballistic. I was screaming, ‘I'm going to f****** kill you!’ We were fighting and it got broken up, but I had snapped. Guys were trying to separate us, and all I saw was Gary over there and I was trying to get to him.”
Ilkin was so upset with Gary that he wanted to kill him. As the fight was being broken up, he saw Gary just sitting there, which only fueled his anger. Ilkin grew increasingly frustrated, desperately wanting to get to Gary. One of the people trying to stop him was Noll. In the chaos, Ilkin accidentally punched Noll, a mistake he deeply regretted.
“It seemed like the more guys that got in my way, the more my temper just went. I was going crazy and then I heard this voice, ‘All right, now I'm pissed off because you just punched me in the mouth.’ I looked at Chuck, and his lip was split. I said, ‘Oh. My. Goodness.’ All of the sudden, I went from a million miles an hour to, ‘Uh oh. I'm gone.’”
The stories of Noll's coaching days often recount practices that were notoriously grueling. Former players vividly remember these sessions as intense and heated, with tempers frequently flaring and fights breaking out. Ilkin was fully convinced he was going to be punished and released by the team. One of his teammates, John Goodman even told him he was going to be released. That never happened.
Steelers' Chuck Noll Took Many Hits During His Practices
One particularly memorable incident shared by Ilkin involved the legendary Mike Webster. Frustrated by the length of a practice, Webster picked up a fellow player and hurled him into Noll. This dramatic display prompted Noll to promptly end the practice.
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Steelers' Hall of Fame center, Mike Webster pass blocks during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on December 16, 1984.
It appears that Noll endured several hits during his iconic tenure in Pittsburgh, yet he never seemed to mind. In fact, he thrived on such rigorous sessions, believing they forged resilience and strength in his team. These brutal practices undeniably contributed to the Steelers' dominant run in the 1970s, a period marked by four Super Bowl victories. Noll's methods, though harsh, proved effective.
However, the intensity of these practices often led to less-than-friendly atmospheres. This is the nature of football—a sport where toughness and endurance are paramount. Ask any player in the league, and most would agree to endure grueling practices if it meant securing even one Super Bowl win. Now, consider winning four. Noll's unparalleled success solidifies him as the greatest coach in Steelers history. His influence is a cornerstone of the Steelers' storied legacy. Without Noll, Pittsburgh likely wouldn't boast six Super Bowl trophies in their collection.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' iconic Head Coach, Chuck Noll looks on before a game starts.
These grueling practices produced unforgettable anecdotes that Pittsburgh fans love to reminisce about. The glory days of Noll leading intense practices and the team hoisting Lombardi Trophies remain cherished memories. As the 2024 season approaches, Steelers fans are hopeful for a return to Super Bowl contention.
This offseason, Pittsburgh made significant moves to strengthen their roster, and many pundits believe these changes have improved the team. Steelers fans are optimistic that the 2024 season could mark the end of their playoff win drought and usher in a new era of success.
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