UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their Hall of Honor Class of 2024 on Saturday afternoon during a ceremony at Saint Vincent College. The class features nose tackle Casey Hampton, outside linebacker Jason Gildon, running back Willie Parker, and defensive mastermind of the Steelers’ two Super Bowl titles in the 2000s Dick LeBeau.
To be considered, a player must be retired at least three years and played a minimum of three seasons for the Steelers. Former coaches and contributors had to make significant contributions to the team and community.
“We were excited to introduce the 2024 class this year of our Hall of Honor. Just a great group of Steelers,” team president Art Rooney II said following the announcement.
Rooney started off by saying how special it is to see LeBeau honored.
“Coach LeBeau, just unusual I would say for an assistant coach to go in,” Rooney said. “I’m not sure how many times that will happen. He’s just a remarkable person, just so loved by his players. Just a class guy. A football guy. Spent so many years in the league, just so respected by other players and coaches and people around the league. Like I said, a little unusual for an assistant coach to go into the Hall of Honor, but I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.”
LeBeau, who’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his legendary career as a defensive back with the Detroit Lions, is the creator of the zone blitz. In his 13 years as defensive coordinator over two stints, the Steelers finished in the top-10 in total defense 11 times, five of those times the team had the top overall ranked defense.
LeBeau is one of the most respected defensive coordinators in NFL history. He’s also a coach that Steelers players loved playing for. He was a mentor for many. Players often referred to him as “Coach Dad.”
“The guys that played for him just loved playing for him. Didn’t want to let him down, and I think that was a part of the success,” Rooney said.
Rooney called all four new members of the Steelers Hall of Honor to relay the news. He said LeBeau was a little taken back at first.
“I think he was surprised,” Rooney said about LeBeau’s reaction when he called him that he made the Steelers’ Hall of Honor. “I started asking him about (LeBeau’s new book “Legendary”), and I think he thought I was calling to tell him what a great job he did on the book. When I changed subjects on him a little bit, he was a little taken back. He was with his wife at the time. They were excited to hear about it.”
Nose tackle Casey Hampton anchored the Steelers’ defense in the 2000s, appearing in five Pro Bowls. He was the catalyst for several No. 1 ranked run defenses, and was a part of two Super Bowl championship teams.
“Of course, Casey Hampton just so popular with his teammates. Just a rock in the center of that line. I know a lot of people will be excited to see Casey go in,” Rooney said.
Running back Willie Parker, who signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina in 2004, went on to be a two-time Super Bowl champion with the team. His 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL is still a Super Bowl record.
“Of course, Willie the Super Bowl record is great, but just a great career. A solid performer. To see somebody come in undrafted like that and have that kind of success, it’s exciting to see him go into the Hall of Honor now,” Rooney said.
Outside linebacker Jason Gildon’s 77 career sacks ranks fourth overall in Steelers history, ahead of Steelers greats L.C. Greenwood (73.5 sacks) and Joe Greene (66 sacks). Only T.J. Watt, James Harrison and Cam Heyward have more career sacks. Gildon was the Steelers’ all-time sack leader until James Harrison surpassed him in 2016. His 58 tackles for a loss and 18 forced fumbles also rank among the franchise’s best.
“Jason, who’s here (at Saint Vincent College) today, setting the sack record and really stepping in at the time where we really didn’t know what we were getting in Jason. For him to come in and set the sack record was great to see,” Rooney said.
The Steelers will honor their 2024 Hall of Honor Class on Dec. 7 when they host the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.