The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the inductees of the team's Hall of Honor in 2024. It's one of the most prestigious privileges as a member of the black and gold. After the 2023 induction, there are only 53 members. Those inducted are required to have made significant contributions to the organization, as well as the community, while exemplifying what it means to be a Steeler.
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers cold weather games are a thing of beauty and grit with a deep history of using the cold to their advantage.
The Hall of Honor began recently back in 2017, which is surprising considering the history of the organization. The size of the classes each year have varied in order to honor the players from long ago, but they have now dwindled down to four. In 2023, the class consisted of four former players. In 2024, the organization announced that Casey Hampton, Jason Gildon, Willie Parker and Dick LeBeau will all be inducted.
LeBeau is the only name inducted in 2024 who didn't suit up for Pittsburgh, but he was the driving force behind Pittsburgh's dominant defenses in the 2000s and 2010s. He was one of the main reasons Pittsburgh was able to add to their trophy case in 2005 and 2008. Parker and Hampton were also on those Super Bowl-winning teams. Parker holds the record for the longest run in Super Bowl history, with a 75-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XL.
Hampton made it to five Pro Bowls thanks to his amazing run-stuffing ability, and also recorded a big sack in Super Bowl XL. Gildon spent his time with the Steelers in the 1990s and early 2000s. He never got the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but he still made a huge impact in Pittsburgh as he sits in the top five for sacks in franchise history.
They join the players who were inducted a season before them in 2023. That class included James Harrison, Ray Mansfield, Gerry Mullins and Aaron Smith. All four players won multiple Super Bowls during their time with Pittsburgh.
MARK HUMPHREY / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Steelers linebacker, James Harrison (92).
According to the team website, in order to be inducted, a player must have played for Pittsburgh for three seasons, have been retired for at least three seasons, and possess noteworthy achievements and accolades. It's safe to say these three players have done that, and then some. LeBeau's impact speaks for itself. They all made the Steelers better during their time with the organization and that will now be enshrined forever in the Hall of Honor. The ceremony for the new Hall of Honor class will be held during the 2024 season when the Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns on December 8th.
Steelers Will Be Able To Honor A Legend In 2025
After the 2024 season concludes, Ben Roethlisberger will have been retired for three full seasons. This makes him eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Honor with the 2025 class. It seems like this is as much of a sure thing as possible. He is widely considered the best quarterback in the history of the organization, despite the four Super Bowl rings sitting on Terry Bradshaw's fingers.
sportingnews.com
Steelers franchise QBs, Terry Bradshaw (12) and Ben Roethlisberger (7) will go down as two of the best to ever play the game of football.
Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, and it will be good to finally see him get some recognition. Throughout his career, he was constantly playing in the shadows of guys like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. Roethlisberger will have several big years ahead of him as he becomes eligible for the Hall of Honor in 2025, and then the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.
What do you think of the 2024 Hall of Honor class? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
