The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their Super Bowl victories during the 1970s and the 2000s, but the organization also went to a Super Bowl at the end of the 1995 season. The organization got there by relying on key players, and one of the core pieces of the group was defensive end Ray Seals. The defender entered the NFL ahead of the 1988 season, and he joined the Steelers in 1994 after spending most of his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Former Steelers defensive end Ray Seals on the sideline during a home game in the mid-90s.
It was announced within the last week that Seals had passed away at the age of 59 as plenty of posts have been seen of social media highlighting the greatness of Seals' career. A whole new generation of Steelers fans got to learn about Seals as fans posted some of his best plays, while new fans can also acknowledge how special Seals was, as he skipped college and still made it to the NFL.
PIT vs CLE - 9/11/94 Week 2
— Kyle Chrise (@kylechrise) April 5, 2025
Trailing 10-7 on their own 28.
Ray Seals sacks Vinny Testaverde.
Browns would end up missing the FG.#rayseals #steelers #60minmen pic.twitter.com/HQxZgRKt8h
Seals was only on the field for two seasons with the Steelers, but the defender was able to make an impact. He recorded over 15 sacks throughout his career in Pittsburgh, over 80 tackles while adding an interception and two forced fumbles. He was a game-wrecker at times, which current fans of the NFL should be able to appreciate.
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Former Steelers defender Ray Seals looks to make a play in Super Bowl XXX.
Steelers Saw A Big Role From Ray Seals In Super Bowl XXX
Pittsburgh's Super Bowl trip in 1995 was a disaster as the Dallas Cowboys led the Steelers 20-7 after three quarters. Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O'Donnell had a horrific game as he was forced to throw the ball 49 times since the Steelers were trailing so much, which was largely due to his three interceptions. As bad as the game was for Pittsburgh, Seals was able to make an impact.
Seals was credited with a start in all three of Pittsburgh's postseason games at the end of the 1995 season, and he was a staple on the defensive line during the year. He actually recorded a sack during Super Bowl XXX as he was able to take down Troy Aikman. He didn't record any other statistics in the game, but a sack is a huge play to come up with on that stage.
Stephen D. Cannerelli
Former Steelers defensive lineman Ray Seals after a game during the mid-90s.
What Seals did to begin his NFL career is completely unheard of nowadays. He did not play any collegiate football for whatever reason he had at the time. However, he was in the NFL roughly five years after graduating high school, which makes him a complete rarity when it comes to the history of the league. The NFL world will miss Seals, and we here at SteelerNation offer his family condolences and well wishes.
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