Sports Illustrated has recently released a new book, ‘Pittsburgh Steelers: Pride in Black and Gold’, covering the entire history of the franchise, with stories by noted SI writers Dan Jenkins, Paul Zimmerman and Damon Hack.

Mark Mravic, Pittsburgh native and Steelers fan, was the co-editor for this book.  I had the pleasure and privilege of having a small Q&A with Mark about his fandom and what it was like putting together a book like this.  I have a copy of this gem and will be doing a book review of it over the next few days.

NPC: You’re a native Pittsburgh’er and grew up with the Steelers.  Was there ever a time you started to write about/for the organization, and what was that like for you?

I didn’t really begin covering the Steelers professionally until I assumed the role of pro football editor at SI before the 2005 season. They made the Super Bowl that year, so I’ll take some credit for that. I think—hope, anyway—that I compartmentalize my rooting interest (it’s never waned, unlike with the Pirates) and treat the Steelers objectively, like any other team. You’re probably not in this business if you didn’t grow up a passionate fan of some team.  

In the final minutes of the Cardinals-Steelers Super Bowl, I certainly was pulling for Pittsburgh, but the professional side was at the same time planning out what our coverage would be should Arizona win (and admiring the performances of Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner). I’ll admit to cheering when Santonio Holmes caught that winning touchdown pass. That lasted about two seconds, and then it was down to work. By the way, because of our schedule, I fly back to New York the morning of Super Bowl Sunday—I need to be in the office on Monday and can’t risk bad weather fouling up travel plans—so I’ve never attended the Super Bowl. Maybe the Steelers will make it in two years, when the game is at the Meadowlands.

It is fun to be in the Super Bowl city when the Steelers are playing, because those towns transform into transplanted versions of Pittsburgh—you see black and gold all over the place and hear that very distinctive ‘Burgh accent. I don’t get back to Pittsburgh enough, so it’s a little taste of home. 

But when it is time to do a critical story of the Steelers, there’s no hesitation. When the Ben Roethlisberger scandal broke a few years ago, we went after the story with all of our resources and did a very harsh but definitive cover piece. It’s one of my proudest professional moments. 

NPC: What do you feel makes the Steelers such a special franchise – not just in the NFL but in all of sports?

They have been family owned since their founding in 1933, and have never lost that local touch—the Rooneys have always been an integral and respected part of that community. The Steelers mean as much to their town as any team in any sport, maybe more so. They started winning Super Bowls in the ’70s just as the steel industry was dying out, and the football team in a sense replaced the steel mills as the heart and soul of the city, how it defines itself and presents itself to the rest of the country. Those Super Bowls gave the city and the region something to rally around as the industry declined. Now Pittsburgh has bounced back and refashioned itself as a city of research, healthcare and education, but those strong blue-collar roots remain, as does the love of the Steelers. And no small point—the stadium sits right there across from downtown, at the confluence of those three rivers. It draws the fans into the city and connects them with it in the way a suburban stadium never can. 

NPC:  What’s your greatest or fondest memory involving the Steelers?

Wow. Here’s one I’m almost embarassed to admit: I missed the Immaculate Reception. I was 10 at the time of that game, and so caught up in the Steelers that I couldn’t bear even the possibility that they would lose that playoff game to the Raiders. So instead of watching, I went to the movies with a friend of mine. When I got back home that afternoon my family said, “You’ll never believe what happened.” That was a lesson learned. 

All of those Super Bowl wins were great to watch, and we’ve done some terrific stories on the Steelers through the years, but I guess my fondest memory would be watching the Packers-Steelers Super Bowl with my family. My daughter, who was about 10 at the time, had her Polamalu shirt on, and I think my older son had his Lambert jersey. Yes, the Steelers lost, but at least I wasn’t at the movies—I could share the experience with my family.

NPC: Who is your favorite player all time?

My favorite player is actually Walter Payton—I went to college in Chicago and lived there for many years afterward, during his playing days. I just developed an immense respect for the way he played the game. (Again, it took some objectivity to run our cover piece last fall excerpting Jeff Pearlman’s Payton biography, depicting his very troubled life post-football).

As for the Steelers, I love all those old guys from the ’70s teams, but I guess Jack Lambert would be my favorite.

NPC:  The book is great.  The pictures are powerful and the content captures the spirit of the Steelers.  What was it like to work on this project?

Amazing—imagine you’re a lifelong fan of a team and being let loose in the archives of Sports Illustrated. Reading those old stories was great, but what’s really fun is going back through the photo archives. SI photographers shoot hundreds (and these days, with digital cameras, sometimes thousands) of pictures at game. Just a handful make it into the weekly magazine (and a few more now go on SI.com and the ipad). That means a vast trove of pictures that, for those Super Bowls for instance, may not have been seen in 40 years or more. Going through that stuff is a dream come true.

NPC:  What are your thoughts about the current state of the organization?

The Steelers remain strong—they’ve been profoundly smart about coaching hires—first Chuck Noll, then Bill Cowher and now Mike Tomlin—and having such stability and leadership from the head coach keeps the whole organization grounded and on the right path. The Steelers almost always contenders, and they’re well respected throughout the league for the way the team is run.

NPC:  Do you ever make it back to games at Heinz Field?

I catch the Steelers when they’re here in New York, but I’m sorry to say I have not been to Heinz Field yet—again a product of our work schedule. Now I’m doubly inspired to get there.

To think - this guy was supposed to play quarterback at Kent State.

Just sitting around the house tonight thinking about what this Steelers defense could be like in 2012.  Some key veterans are in need of really stepping up.  Some rookies need to grow up quickly and contribute to a defense in need of depth.

There’s one player in particular who needs to refocus and channel some Steelers of old – Lawrence Timmons.  Timmons will be entering his 6th season with the Steelers, and is coming off a season that was a falloff from 2010.  Timmons had a lower output in tackles (42 less) and struggled to defend the pass across the middle.  It’s unclear what happened between 2010 and 2011 that caused an uncharacteristic drop – he’s improved every year in all facets of the ILB position, and was poised to be even better in 2011.  Granted, the Steelers still ranked as the top defense in the league in 2010.  However, with the loss of defensive leader and veteran James Farrior, it’s either Foote or Timmons who needs to step up in a big way.

And, I’m not just talking about routine play either – plugging holes, getting to ball carriers, batting down some passes.  No.  Timmons needs to become a force in the middle of the field for this Steelers defense.  And who better to channel than good ol’ #58 to stir up some intimidation and bone crushing hits.  As the below video mentions, Lambert didn’t have to hit hard (even though he did on most occasions).  He just needed to play well and intimidate the other team with that toothless glare.  And, it worked.

So here’s to Mr. Lambert.  Check out the video below that is a nice treat and tribute.  Then go out to the parking lot between Heinz Field and PNC Park.  Get some candles out, do some ‘ooooo’ing and ‘ummmm’ing and get the living spirit of #58 to make its way over to #94.  It’ll be fun.  Kinda like Angels in the Outfield – his Christopher Lloyd to our Tony Danza….. but without the bad acting….. eeeesh.

5. 1972 Steelers

(11-3)

Lost in Conference Championship Game to Miami (21-17)

After a 5-9 finish in 1970 and a 6-8 finish in 1971, the new and improved Steelers under Chuck Noll appeared ready for a breakout season in 1972, and set their sights on a postseason berth. When you talk about seasons where one can pinpoint exactly where a franchise’s fortunes change for the better, it would be 1972 for the Steelers, and boy was the rebuilding process finally headed in the right direction.  After 40 years of almost perpetual losing, and not even a postseason victory to their names, the Steelers of 1972 changed the culture of the franchise.  Three terrific years of drafting by Noll sprinkled in with some veteran holdovers from the 60’s such as Ray Mansfield and Andy Russell finally blossomed into an 11-3 season, and the franchise’s first ever Division title.

The Offense was of course a ground-based attack, and was led by 1972′s 1st Round Draft pick and future Hall of Famer Franco Harris.  Harris earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and paced the team with 1,055 Yards rushing and 11 total Touchdowns (10 Rush and 1 Reception).  Veterans Frenchy Fuqua and Preston Pearson also shouldered some of the load and rushed for a combined 929 Yards and 4 TD’s (Fuqua: 665 Yards and 4 TD’s, Pearson: 264 Yards).

Yet during a season where the Steelers finished 2nd in the League in Rushing Yards, 3rd year Quarterback Terry Bradshaw showed some marked improvement.  Bradshaw threw 12 TD’s compared to only 12 INT’s with 1,887 Yards Passing and a career-high 346 on the ground with 7 TD’s in 1972.  While those are not necessarily “sexy” totals, they were good considering the fact that he threw 46 Picks combined during his first two seasons and was a turnover machine early in his career.  While Ron Shanklin and Frank Lewis were not a “Stallworth and Swann duo,” they still put up respectable stats for the team (Lewis: 27 Catches for 391 yards and 5 TD’s, Shanklin: 38 Catches for 669 Yards and 3 TD’s), and complimented the Steelers’ ground game enough to rank the Steelers 5th in the League in Total Points for the year.

’72 also saw the beginnings of the “Steel Curtain” Defense, as the unit ranked 2nd in the League in fewest Points Allowed (175) and 1st in fewest Rushing TD’s Allowed (6).  “Mean Joe” Greene, Dwight White, and Andy Russell made the Pro Bowl, and 2nd year Linebacker Jack Ham led the team with 7 INT’s.  The Defense was a turnover driven unit and finished with a League leading +22 Turnover margin, as the Secondary of Mike Wagner (6 INT’s), Glen Edwards (1 INT), Mel Blount (3 INT’s), and John Rowser (4 INT’s) were ball-hawks to be reckoned with that season.

The team started the season a tad sluggish at 2-2 and lost a close game to the defending Champion Cowboys in Week 4 at Texas Stadium.  Yet after the Dallas game, the Steelers reeled off Wins in 9 of their next 10 games to finish the season with an 11-3 record, and avenged their only Loss during the stretch when they beat Cleveland 30-0 in Week 12.  The stage was set for a Divisional Playoff showdown between the Steelers and Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium.

Harris' catch and run is arguably one of the greatest plays in N.F.L. history. Image Courtesy of sportsillustrated.cnn.com

After the Steelers let a 6-0 lead slip through their fingers when Ken Stabler ran for a 30 Yard TD, it did not look good for the Steelers.  But I guess December 23, 1972 was just the Steelers day, because from his own 40 Yard Line, Terry Bradshaw uncorked a pass over the middle which changed football history forever.  I don’t think that I need to refresh anyone on what happened next, so I will let the picture to the right here illustrate the ridiculous combination of luck, hustle, and overall awesomeness do the talking for me:

Because of the N.F.L.’s then-wacky postseason format, the Steelers got to play the Conference Title game at home the following week against the 15-0 Dolphins which had beaten Cincinnati the week before.  The Steelers appeared to be riding high off of “The Immaculate Reception” and the subsequent 13-7 victory, actually raced to an early lead against Miami.  Yet a brilliantly planned and executed Fake Punt-Run by Larry Seiple of the Dolphins swung momentum Miami’s way, and the Steelers eventually lost the game 21-17 in spite of their valiant effort.

Pittsburgh likely would have beat Washington in Super Bowl VII the following week had they won, and it could have been a cherry on top of a “Cinderella Season” had the Steelers advanced to the title game and won.  Still, 1972 was the ultimate “building block” year of the franchise because it paved the way for four decades of greatness which we have witnessed ever since.

4. 2010 Steelers

(12-4)

Lost in Super Bowl XLV to Green Bay (31-25)

The 2010 season looked doomed before it began as 2x Super Bowl winning QB Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games of the regular season because of some “restroom indiscretions” with a woman of in Milledgeville, Georgia.  Add to that the fact that the Steelers became the “poster-boys” for Roger Goodell’s crusade to eliminate physical football and all its remnants from the League, and cover his and the League’s behinds from future law suits in the process.  Yet this 2010 team seemed to only respond to hard times as they rode to a 3-1 record during Ben’s absence (kudos to Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon), a 12-4 regular season record, an A.F.C. North title, and an A.F.C. crown.

In spite of Big Ben’s absence, a make-shift Offensive Line (aside from Rookie Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey), and Bruce Arians’ questionable play-calling, the Offense performed quite well when you consider the circumstances and their production.  Running Back Rashard Mendenhall set career highs in Carries (324), Rushing Yards (1,273), and Touchdowns (13), and totaled 1,440 Yards from scrimmage.  Backup Isaac Redman had 2 TD catches, and none more famous than his all-around stellar catch and run to win the game and Division against Baltimore in December of that season.

2010 also illustrated how terrific the Steelers’ Wide Receiving corps was.  2nd year man Mike Wallace stepped in for the recently departed San-smokio Holmes and caught 60 Passes for 1,257 Yards and 10 Touchdowns.  Between Wallace, the crafty veteran Hines Ward, Rookies Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown, and Tight End Heath Miller the Steelers had quite the group of pass-catchers as Ben threw for 3,200 Yards and 17 TD’s in 12 regular season games.

Yet what I will always remember about 2010 was how incredible the Defense played that season.  As a unit, the Steelers finished 1st in Points Allowed, 2nd in Total Yards Allowed, 2nd in Turnover Margin with +17, and 1st in all major categories against the Run (Fewest Yards, Fewest Attempts, and Fewest Touchdowns).

This is "Steelers Football" in 2010 at its best. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Inside Linebacker Lawrence Timmons got jobbed when he did not get a Pro Bowl berth, but he was a “Tackling Machine” like the fictional Bobby Boucher in 2010.  Timmons led the team with 134 Tackles, grabbed 2 INT’s, had 10 Passes Defended, and 3.0 Sacks.  Not to be outdone, the ageless James Farrior had his best season since 2004 and made 109 Tackles and 6.0 Sacks as the Steelers’ Inside Linebackers formed the most reliable duo in the League that season.  Undeterred by the League’s campaign to thwart him, Harrison still notched 100 Tackles and 10.5 Sacks as him and LaMarr Woodley (10.0 Sacks) had 10.0+ Sacks apiece during the regular season for the third time as teammates.

The Defensive Line played just as stellar as all the units as Casey Hampton, Ziggy Hood and Pro Bowler Brett Keisel stood firm and allowed the play-makers to do what they do best. The real star of the Defense in 2010 was Troy Polamalu as he earned Defensive M.V.P. honors that year.  Polamalu was a one-man-wrecking crew from his Strong Safety spot and made 7 INT’s on the season to go with highlight reel defensive play after highlight reel defensive play.

The Steelers had an incredible comeback win over the Ravens in the Divisional Round, and then held on for dear life and eventually prevailed over the Jets the following week for the A.F.C. crown.  The only thing which stood between Pittsburgh and their 7th Super Bowl title were the hot Wild-Card Green Bay Packers.  Unfortunately for the Steelers, Super Bowl XLV was simply not their day as they committed too many costly mistakes, and the Packers to their credit capitalized on them when they needed to do it.

2010 was almost a glorious “Eff You” season to Roger Goodell and the rest of his cronies throughout the League.  I know that I would have paid top dollar to see the look on Goodell’s face had he been forced to give the Lombardi Trophy to the Steelers, but it just did not happen.  Regardless, this 12-4 team played consistent football at an extremely high level through the entire season.  Had this group just taken it one step further, you could argue that this team would have been the best one in franchise history over the last quarter century.

10. 1982 Steelers

(6-3) Strike-Shortened Season

Lost in Conference Playoff 1st Round to San Diego

The 1982 strike-shortened season was sort of “The Last Hurrah” for many of the ’70′s Steelers.  1982 was also special because it marked the franchise’s 50th Anniversary, the first season the Steelers’ Defense employed a 3-4 Front, and it marked the final “full” season of Terry Bradshaw’s great career.

Speaking of Bradshaw, when he was “on” that season, there was little teams could do to stop him as he tied for the League lead with 17 TD passes during the 9 game season.  In addition, Bradshaw also led the League as 7.1% of his completions went for Passing TD’s that season as the Steelers enjoyed a solid season on the Offensive side of the ball.

Running Back Franco Harris also had himself a decent season as his career with the Black & Gold was winding down, placed 9th in the League in Rushing Yards (604) and Yards Per Carry (4.3), and even led the team in receptions with 31.  Overall, the Steelers ranked 8th in the League in Rushing Yards and averaged 131.9 Yards Per Game as Harris and Frank Pollard led the way behind the blocking of Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Mike Webster and member of the franchise’s 75th Anniversary squad, Tackle Larry Brown.  As for the passing game, future Hall of Famer John Stallworth earned himself a Pro Bowl berth as he hauled in 27 Passes for 441 Yards and 7 TD’s, and proved to be Pittsburgh’s most potent threat at the Wide Receiver position.

Jack Lambert notched another Pro Bowl berth to his belt in 1982.. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE

While the once dominant “Steel Curtain” Defense was collectively continued to age, the top veterans still performed at a high level in 1982.  Donnie Shell and Jack Lambert were named 1st Team All-Pros and Defensive Back Dwayne Woodruff tied with Shell for the team lead with 5 INT’s.  Holdovers from the 1970′s, Defensive Linemen Gary Dunn and Tom Beasley also had fine years getting to the Quarterback (6.0 Sacks apiece), as the Steelers employed a 3-4 Defensive scheme for the first time in their team history.  For the year,  Pittsburgh finished 4th in Total Points Allowed, 1st in Rushing Yards Allowed, and only allowed one 100 Yard rusher the entire 9-game season (Joe Cribbs, Buffalo).

The Steelers started off 1982 hot as they beat Dallas (36-28) and then defending A.F.C. Champion Cincinnati (26-20) in successive Weeks.  Bradshaw threw for 6 Touchdowns combined in both games including the game-winner in Overtime to defeat the Bengals at Three Rivers Stadium.  In spite of Pittsburgh’s hot start, there was no football to be played until late November, and the Steelers looked a tad inconsistent over the final two months.

During the final 7 contests the Steelers looked good (Large Margin Wins over Houston, New England, Cleveland, and Kansas City) and also not so good (Shutout Losses to Buffalo and Seattle).  Nevertheless, the Steelers finished with a 6-3 record, and in the ’82 8-team per Conference Playoff format were given the #4 seed and scheduled to play San Diego at Three Rivers Stadium in the first Round of the postseason.

Sadly for the Steelers, they gave up a 28-17 lead in the 4th Quarter, and Pittsburgh was sent home for the rest of the winter.  After the 1982 season ended, the Steelers saw Lynn Swann and Jack Ham retire, and would eventually see players like Bradshaw (who only played in 1 game in 1983), Harris, Lambert, and Mel Blount leave in the near future.  Even though Pittsburgh made the Playoffs in 1983 and 1984, 1982 and it’s Playoff format would have given this team a much better shot at winning, and the Steelers as a team stacked up against the rest of their postseason foes much better in 1982 than they did in 1983 and 1984.  Alternate history and scenarios aside, the Chargers ended Pittsburgh’s season in 1982, and Pittsburgh would not play another postseason game at home for another decade.

9. 1992 Steelers

(11-5)

Lost in Divisional Playoff Game against Buffalo (24-3)

I remember the 1992 Steelers not having many high expectations.  They had a new Coach for the first time since the late ’60′s (Bill Cowher), A.F.C. Central rival Houston was a heavy favorite to go to/win the Super Bowl, and the Steelers had a Quarterback controversy brewed between Bubby Brister and Neil O’Donnell.  However, there were a few things which many did not account for in 1992.

First, there was the fact that there was quite a bit of young talent on the roster left over from the Noll years, the Offensive Line was a solid bunch, the Defense under Dom Capers was primed to explode, and Running Back Barry Foster would have a season for the ages that many outside of Pittsburgh do not usually remember.

In 1992, the Steelers’ Offense ran on the strength of Barry Foster.  That season, Foster led the AFC in Rushing Yards with 1,690 and scored 11 TD’s on the ground.  Foster was even a potent pass-catching threat, and finished second on the team in Receptions with 36.  Foster, who was named 1st Team All-Pro that year, set the then-team record for Yards from Scrimmage in a season with 2,034, made the Pro Bowl, and tied an N.F.L. record for the most 100 Yard Rushing Games in a season with 12.

Quarterback Neil O’Donnell made his first and only Pro Bowl in his second season as a starter and threw for 2,283 Yards and 13 TD’s in 12 games as a starter.  The Wide Receiver trio of Jeff Graham (49 Catches for 711 Yards and 1 TD), Ernie Mills (30 Catches for 383 Yards and 3 TD’s), and Dwight Stone (34 Catches for 501 Yards and 3 TD’s) were O’Donnell’s (and Brister’s) top receiving threats in 1992.  Tight Ends Adrian Cooper and Eric Green (who was suspended during that season for violating the League’s drug policy) chipped in with 5 total receiving Touchdowns as well, and Fullbacks Merril Hoge and Leroy Thompson contributed a total of 50 Catches for 509 Yards and 1 Touchdown through the air to help O’Donnell and Brister when they subbed for Foster in 1992.

Foster had over 300 yards on the ground during Pittsburgh's 3-0 start, Image Courtesy of life.com

The Defense under new Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers flourished as “Blitzburgh” was beginning to form.  Linebackers Hardy Nickerson, Pro Bowler Greg Lloyd, Jerrol Williams, and David Little all wreaked havoc in Capers’ Linebacker-friendly scheme and terrorized Quarterbacks and Offenses as a whole.  The Defensive Line led by Donald Evans and Gerald Williams stuffed the run and even chipped in some Sacks (3.0 apiece).  And the Secondary, led by 1st Team All-Pro Cornerback Rod Woodson had yet another awesome year, as Carnell Lake, D.J. Johnson, Larry Griffen Rookie Safety Darren Perry all helped out a club which had a +11 Turnover margin on the season.

The Steelers shocked quite a few people when they went 3-0 out of the gate, including an impressive win over Houston in the Astrodome on Opening Weekend.  Despite dropping their next two games, the Steelers quickly rebounded and won their next three to sit at 6-2 at the midway point in the season.  The highlight of their second 3-game win streak was a 21-20 victory over the Oilers at Three Rivers in the teams’ second meeting.  The win gave the Steelers control of the A.F.C. Central and a full head of steam as they geared up for the second half of the season.  Pittsburgh finished the rest of the season 5-3 despite losing O’Donnell for four weeks down the stretch to an injury.  Former starter Bubby Brister filled in adequately and went 2-2 during O’Donnell’s absence as Pittsburgh secured the #1 seed in the A.F.C., but O’Donnell was given the green light to start the Steelers’ first Home Postseason game since 1982 against Buffalo.

Despite losing at home in the Divisional Round 24-3, and being bested by the veteran Bills who would go on to appear in their 3rd straight Super Bowl, 1992 was an extremely important year for the franchise.  The two biggest reasons were A) The gap from Noll to the future looked to have been adequately bridged, and B) The franchise finally appeared to be headed in the right direction after the hum-drum decade of the 1980′s.  While they may not have won, this season set the wheels in motion for another five straight postseason appearances by the franchise.

8. 1997 Steelers

(11-5)

Lost in Conference Championship Game against Denver (24-21)

If I had to pick a “favorite” Steelers team from my child-hood it would be the 1997 group.  Were they overly dominant on either side of the football?  No.  Did they make numerous mistakes?  Absolutely.  Were they pretty to watch at times?  Nope.  But you know what?  They were one very important thing: Exciting.  And the 1997 Steelers came within a few mistakes from defying the odds and winning a title that season.

1997 marked the Kordell Stewart’s first season as a full-time starting Quarterback, and he was a human highlight film so many times that year (like accounting for all 5 Touchdowns in the Week 15 win against Denver).  Statistically, Stewart was incredible in 1997 as Kordell went 236 for 440, passed for 3,020 Yards, 21 Touchdowns, and added 476 Yards Rushing with 11 Touchdowns to boot.  Stewart had some solid pass-catchers at his disposal though, as Yancey Thigpen was the go-to-guy in 1997.  In Thigpen’s Pro Bowl contact year he made 79 Catches for 1,398 Yards an 7 TD’s.  While Charles Johnson (46 Catches, 568 Yards, and 2 TD’s), Courtney Hawkins (45 Catches, 555 Yards, 3 TD’s), and Tight End Mark Bruener (6 Touchdown Catches) all had solid seasons for Pittsburgh, the Steelers were still a running team, and Jerome Bettis had the season of his career in 1997.

While Kordell may still be a polarizing figure in the Steel City, nobody can deny his wonderful 1997 season, Image Courtesy of sportsgridnet.com

In a season which the Steelers led the N.F.L. in Rushing Attempts and Yards, Bettis set career highs with 1,665 Yards and 375 Carries behind a stout Offensive Line which was anchored by Future Hall of Fame Center Dermontti Dawson.  During the regular season, “The Bus” scored 9 Touchdowns total (7 Rush, 2 Receiving), and ran for 111.0 Yards Per Game over his 15 regular season contests.  Whether it was his rumble on a shovel pass for a Touchdown in Overtime against Jacksonville for the Division lead in Week 8, or when he scored the game winner of his 3 Touchdowns in 142 Yards Rushing performance against the Cardinals in Arizona for another Overtime win, Bettis was clutch for his team when he was needed most.

While they were a bit more porous in 1997 (finished 11th in Total Points), the Steelers Defense still proved to be quite tough tin 1997, and Carnell Lake proved to be the super-star. Lake had a season for the ages as he played both his Strong Safety spot and filled in at Cornerback.  In ’97, Lake led the team in Sacks (6.0), notched 60 Tackles, had 2 Forced Fumbles, Returned a Fumble for a Score in a thrilling Week 4 victory over Indianapolis, and Picked Off 3 Passes to earn 1st Team All-Pro honors.  The rest of the Defense had a nice season as well as the front three of Pro Bowler Joel Steed, Kevin Henry, and Nolan Harrison started a combined 48 games, and 1st Team All-Pro Linebacker Levon Kirkland (126 Tackles) and Earl Holmes (96 Tackles) were tackling machines on the inside for Pittsburgh as the Steelers led the League in Fewest Rushing Yards and Touchdowns allowed.

Despite starting 1-2 (and Bill Cowher almost tackling Jaguar player Chris Hudson on Monday Night Football), the Steelers came back and won 10 of their next 12 games, and won many in thrilling fashion.  Whether it was coming back from 21 down in Baltimore in Week 6, 10 down the following week against the Colts, the aforementioned Over Time wins against the Jaguars and Cardinals, 14 down at home against Denver, or winning in Over Time against New England to sew up the #2 seed in the A.F.C., this Steelers team refused to quit and finished the year with an 11-5 record.

After they won a sloppy yet heartstopping game 7-6 over New England in the Divisional Round, the Steelers squared off against Denver for the right to go to the Super Bowl.  Unfortunately, Pittsburgh faltered in the final two minutes of the 1st Half and could not overcome turnovers and John Elway as they lost the game 24-21.  Of all the Steelers’ Playoff losses which I remember, the one to Denver at Three Rivers one hurts the most and will hurt the most until my dying day.  For a full explanation click on these links here and here.  The 1997 team was one of just raw excitement because you could never count the team out of any game.  So many late-game comebacks, and Kordell Stewart was the toast of the N.F.L. that entire year.  As sad as the ending was, I will always remember how fun this team was to watch, and how talented they were.