The Pittsburgh Steelers have the most storied franchise in the NFL. Not only are they tied for the most Super Bowls with six, but some of the game's most historic names have donned the black and gold. This all began in the Steel Curtain era, where the team developed arguably the greatest defense ever assembled.
Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood made up the greatest defensive line of the Super Bowl era. (Photo: Getty)
On it, there were several Hall of Famers and all-time greats. On Wednesday, ESPN gathered votes from 50 analysts on the best player at each defensive position of all-time. No Steeler player topped their position, but several were still mentioned. Here's how the Steelers players fared at their respective positions:
- DT "Mean" Joe Greene: 2nd, five (10%) votes
- LB Jack Lambert: 4th, three (6%) votes
- CB Rod Woodson: tied-for-2nd, five (10%) votes
- CB Mel Blount: tied-for-5th, one (2%) vote
- S Troy Polamalu: tied-for-4th, two (4%) votes
Those were the five defenders that received votes at being the best of all-time at their position. Linebacker Jack Ham is the notable omission here, as he spent his days alongside Lambert. Although Lambert gets a majority of the recognition and praise, some argue that Ham was actually a better player. At linebacker, Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis was voted the best linebacker of all-time with 23 (46%) votes. He was followed by a pair of Chicago Bears all-time greats in Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary before Lambert's appearance in fourth.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 14, 1980: (L to R) Linebackers Jack Ham #59 and Jack Lambert #58 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watch the action from the sidelines during a game on September 14, 1980 against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by: Bill Amatucci Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
As for defensive tackle, current Los Angeles Rams star, Aaron Donald, took home a majority of the votes. He received 78% (39 total) of the votes for the defensive tackle position, which was the second-most votes of any position, just one behind Lawrence Taylor, who took over the edge rusher position. Despite coming in second place amongst defensive tackles, "Mean" Joe Greene somehow received just five votes. Many still consider him the best DT ever, despite Donald's dominant run over the last eight years/
Deion Sanders took home the most votes at cornerback with 32 (64%). Rod Woodson was tied-for-second behind Sanders with former Green Bay Packers defensive back, Charles Woodson. Mel Blount ended up in the "others receiving votes" category with a few other corners, all of which had just one vote. Safety Troy Polamalu slotted in tied-for-fourth, as Ronnie Lott was voted the greatest safety ever. Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins followed Lott with the second and third-most votes overall. Polamalu was the only Steeler mentioned from the modern-day dominant defenses from the black and gold, as a guy like James Harrison is the only notable omission from that era.
No Steelers players voted as best at their position
- Edge rusher: Lawrence Taylor, 40 (80%) votes
- Defensive tackle: Aaron Donald, 39 (78%) votes
- Cornerback: Deion Sanders, 32 (64%) votes
- Safety: Ronnie Lott, 27 (54%) votes
- Kicker/punter: Adam Vinatieri, 22 (44%) votes
- Returner/special-teamer: Devin Hester, 29 (58%) votes
What Steelers players were snubbed? It's not the first time it's happened this off-season. Which guys should have received more votes? Do you agree with the "GOATs" at each position? Let us know your thoughts on this article, from ESPN, in the comments below, yinz!
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