Steelers Throwbacks Named among NFL’s Best

Even with a new flood of contenders thanks to an NFL rules change, the throwback uniforms of the Pittsburgh Steelers finished as one of the league’s best in a ranking by CBS Sports.

The Steelers’ current throwbacks, which harken back to the uniforms that the team wore from 1969-96, were rated as the fourth-best throwback uniforms for the league this season.

“The Steelers have donned some interesting throwbacks in the past, but the ‘Steel Curtain’ era throwbacks are right for a franchise with a storied history,” CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr wrote. “These commemorated the 50th anniversary of the ‘Immaculate Reception’ last year, with vintage block letters and numbers and the removal of the Steelers logo on the chest.”

Compared to their regular uniforms, the Steelers’ throwbacks feature block numbers and do not have the team’s logo on the left chest.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)

The Steelers haven’t announced when they will wear their throwback uniforms this season, but one of the two games in which they salute the team’s history is a good bet. The club will add to its Hall of Honor on Oct. 28 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and wrap Alumni Weekend on Nov. 12 against the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers also usually wear the gold-numbered color rush jerseys once per season during a home game.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 21, 2022. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The top spot in the league-wide ranking went the Miami Dolphins for their 1972-inspired throwbacks that the team wore against the Steelers last fall. The San Francisco 49ers’ drop shadow 1994 look came in second, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return of their creamsicle uniforms and “Bucco Bruce” helmet logo.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) grabs Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

That uniform was only allowed to return because the NFL has now permitted teams to have two helmet shells to wear over the course of a season. The previous restriction to one was based on ensuring maximum availability of helmets for player safety. Tampa usually has pewter helmets, but will wear the white-with-orange look from their debut in 1976 this season.

The Steelers have worn only black helmets since 1962. They wore gold before that, notably in the 1940s and 50s in a look the team has reprised as another throwback.

Hines Ward at the Pittsburgh Steelers 2007 home opener. The Steelers beat the Bills 26-3. This was the 500th win for the Steelers, who wore the 75th year “Throwback” uniforms. — SteelCityHobbies | CC-BY 2.0