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Power Rankings: Steelers That Deserve to be in Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame Game was just played, and thought there were no new enshrinements for the Pittsburgh Steelers this year, the Black and Gold have plenty of familiarity with putting players and contributors into Canton. Pittsburgh has put 29 people, including players and contributors, into the Hall of Fame up to this point. There will undoubtedly be more that will join that group.
So, in this week’s power rankings, it is time to highlight some of those potential Steelers players that could make the Hall of Fame or deserve to make the Hall of Fame when everything is said and done.
Alan Saunders, Nick Farabaugh, and Cale Berger broke down the Steelers right now who deserve to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Our power rankings were compiled with each first-place vote getting 10 points and so on and so forth. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Ben Roethlisberger
There is a strong argument to be made Roethlisberger deserves to be a first ballot selection once he is officially eligible in just over four years. The most prolific passer in Steelers history, Roethlisberger is the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards (64,088), completions (5,440), touchdowns (418) and wins (165) at the quarterback position. Factor in his two Super Bowl titles, six Pro Bowl selections and longevity, and Roethlisberger fits seamlessly into a fraternity of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. His inevitable enshrinement in Canton will attract crowds of Steeler fans unlike any prior at Tom Benson Stadium.
L.C. Greenwood
Truly, of all the Steel Curtain era Steelers left, Greenwood is the one who deserves to be in Canton the most. Greenwood racked up 78 sacks, six pro bowls, 2 All-Pro selections, and was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-1970s team. Donnie Shell got the call before Greenwood, but in 2021 prior to his induction, Shell argued for Greenwood to get the honor next. In fact, out of all of the defensive linemen on the Steel Curtain, Greenwood led the group in sacks. When the big-time spotlight came on, Greenwood rose to the occasion, sacking Roger Staubach four times in Super Bowl X. He checks all of the boxes to get the induction. – Farabaugh
Antonio Brown
When he was at the prime of his craft, there was no better receiver in the NFL than Antonio Brown. The end of his career was anything but smooth, and that will hurt his candidacy. However, this is a player who eclipsed the magical 10,000-yard mark barrier, made big plays when it mattered and is one part of the Hall of Fame’s 2010s team. Brown racked up four-All Pros and seven Pro Bowls over his career. In addition to that, Brown has an Offensive Player of the Year Award to his name. He did not have the longevity he should have had, but he had more than enough to earn the enshrinement. – Farabaugh
Hines Ward
Hines Ward has significant Hall of Fame credentials, winning a Super Bowl MVP Award and another title, four Pro Bowls and three AP All-Pro selections. He also changed the game in terms of employing physicality at the wide receiver position, and had the NFL rulebook changed in order to protect defenders from him instead of the usual other way around. But he falls short when compared to his contemporaries in terms of receiving yards during a pass-happy league era. Ward finished with 12,083 yards, behind Reggie Wayne, Torrie Holt, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, none of which have gotten into the Hall of Fame either. Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins are coming, too. It’s going to be a tough ask for the committee to put Ward ahead of those players. — Saunders
James Harrison
Harrison was a key cog in two Super Bowl-winning defense, was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, and was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. He’s still the Steelers all-time sack leader with 80.5, and considering the talented pass rushers the team has had, that says a lot. Harrison’s somewhat surly demeanor during his playing days probably won’t do him any favors in the voting process. We’ll see how far he goes as a first-time eligible in the Class of 2023. — Saunders
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