The Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is right around the corner, even though two and a half weeks at this point seems like an eternity. The only tidbits of news we are getting are more related to a player’s personal life, rather than their actual performance on a football field. TJ Watt recently got married and teammates, past and present, were in attendance. Retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is becoming more active on his Channel Seven YouTube page as well. Cam Heyward has been active on social media, keeping things light-hearted, but also feeling a sense of disrespect from certain NFL reporters.
Just 2 gamechangers 🤔🧐🧐🧐
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) July 5, 2022
It looks like the first round pick is developing a tighter bond with his top tight end, Pat Freiermuth. However, I am not here to talk about all of that. This is a more debatable topic...
Who is on the Steelers Mount Rushmore?
I’ve put some criteria on this just so it isn’t overrun by Steelers of the 70’s: 1 Executive, 1 Coach, 1 Offensive Player, and 1 Defensive Player. HERE WE GO!
Executive: Arthur “The Chief” Rooney
This shouldn’t come as any shock because without him, the Steelers and what they stand for today do not exist. Rooney started the franchise in 1933 paying a fee of $2,500 to join the National Football League. He is an iconic figure within the franchise and his statue can be seen outside Heinz Field where he is sitting holding his signature cigar. Also, without him, the likes of Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II don’t exist, literally.
Honorable Mention: Dan Rooney
Coach: Chuck Noll
He was one of the most influential figures in turning the Steelers into one of the best franchises in the NFL. Originally hired in 1969, Rooney ultimately decided on the 37 year-old Noll after a recommendation from legendary coach, Don Shula. From there, the rest is history. A 4x Super Bowl Champion, Noll was able to establish a dynasty in the 70’s by building through the NFL Draft. He drafted Hall of Fame players like Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw, just name a few. From 1972-1984, Noll and the Steelers never had a losing season where he would end up with a record of 209-156-1 (including the playoffs) and be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Honorable Mention: Mike Tomlin
Offense: Hines Ward
Maybe it's because I'm a 90’s kid and didn't get to watch the likes of Lynn Swaan and the Steelers offense of the 70's, but you cannot deny the fact that Ward embodied the Steelers attitude. He may not have been a top 5 player at the position over his career, but he was undoubtedly the toughest. Ward was someone who made blocking a staple for a Steelers receiver. He always played the game with a smile on his face that drove defenders crazy, with a Mickey Mouse football tattoo too. No offensive player embodied the toughness and spirit of Pittsburgh quite like Ward did.
Honorable Mention: Terry Bradshaw, Ben Roethlisberger
Defense: “Mean” Joe Greene
Again, not a player I have watched live, but I respect the history and fact he was the building block of what became the Steel Curtain defense during the 70’s. Plus, it's hard to leave off a man who has a nickname including the word mean, that just wouldn't feel right. This was a player that was hand-picked by Noll in his first NFL Draft and would go on to do legendary things, even if he didn't want to be there at first. Greene isn't just the best player in Steelers history, he is one of the best to play the game ever.
Honorable Mention: The Steel Curtain
Now Steeler Nation, I want to hear who is on your Mount Rushmore. Drop a comment below!
