Steelers Art

Joe Greene is a former all-pro American defensive tackle & 4x Super Bowl champion for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Greene was drafted in the first round of the 1969 draft from North Texas and is considered by many as one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history. ‘Mean Joe’ was the cornerstone of the legendary Steel Curtain defense of the Steelers in the 70′s. He was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987.

Jack Lambert is a former NFL linebacker and 4x Super Bowl champion drafted out of Kent State University. He is recognized among fans of the team as one of the best players to ever wear the black & gold. Lambert prided himself on his ability to hit hard and to intimidate opposing teams with his ruthless style of play. He was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1990.

Antonio Brown is a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was drafted in the 2010 NFL draft out of Central Michigan. In 2011, Brown became the first player in NFL history to have more than 1,000 yards in both receiving and returning yards in the same season. Antonio was selected for his first Pro Bowl in 2011, along with being named the Steelers MVP.

Ben Roethlisberger, nicknamed ‘Big Ben’ is the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft from Miami University (Ohio). Roethlisberger has accumulated numerous NFL and Steelers team records in his young professional career. He became the youngest Super Bowl winning quarterback in NFL history when he led the Steelers against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of twenty-three. He is one of the most efficient passers in the history of the game. Ben is a 2X Super Bowl champion and has played in the Pro Bowl twice. He was voted the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 and the Steelers MVP in 2009.

Hines Ward is a former all-Pro wide receiver and 2X Super Bowl champion for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is one of the most beloved players of all-time and is known both for his signature smile and for being one of the toughest blocking wide receivers in NFL history. I created this illustration to commemorate Hines Ward on his 1,000th NFL career reception which occurred in the final game of the 2011 regular season against the Cleveland Browns on January 2, 2012. Ward became only the eighth player in NFL history to achieve this stoic accomplishment.

Terry Bradshaw, nicknamed ‘The Blonde Bomber’ was the #1 overall draft selection of the 1970 NFL draft out of Louisiana Tech. He went on to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl championships in six seasons during the 1970′s. Aside from winning four Super Bowl championships, Bradshaw’s football career accomplishments include being honored as a 2X Super Bowl MVP and 3X Pro Bowl selection. He was selected a member of the NFL 1970′s All-Decade Team and enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1989.

Steelers Country is the name given for the Pittsburgh region and large areas of the country with a Steelers fan base. Despite early struggles, the Steelers have had a loyal following in western Pennsylvania and around the world since they came into existence when owner, Art Rooney found the team in 1933.  The Steelers fan base sky-rocketed during the 1970′s with their four Super Bowl championships. Fan clubs for the players were organized including Franco’s Italian Army, Bradshaw’s Brigade, Lambert’s Lunatics, along with several others. Steelers long-time radio announcer, Myron Cope originated the Terrible Towel which has become a signature identity of Steelers fans. Many consider the collapse of the steel industry as to the reason for the strong fan base in other cities across the country which grows to this day. The players blue-collar mentality and smash-mouth physical style of play were something the fans could easily identify with and relate to as those characteristics were mirrored in the steel mills through the generations.

This illustration commemorates the 40th anniversary of one of the most climactic and famous plays in all of sports. Franco Harris earned immortal fame with his ‘Immaculate Reception’ in the closing seconds of the AFC divisional playoff game. The game occurred on December 23, 1972 against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium and set the stage for the Steelers dynastic reign as Superbowl champions in the 70′s.

Rocky Bleier is a former NFL halfback and 4X Superbowl champion who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1971-80. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in December, 1968 and volunteered in the Vietnam War serving with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. On August 20th while on patrol in Heip Duc, Bleier was wounded in the left thigh by a rifle bullet and shrapnel was sent into his lower right leg from a grenade which exploded nearby. For his military valor, Rocky was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. One year after being wounded in Vietnam, Rocky reported for Steelers training camp and spent the next two full years rehabilitating his legs to not only walk, but earn a spot on the Steelers active roster. Since his retirement, Rocky tours the country as a motivational speaker and participates in many events for military veterans.

Troy Polamalu is a strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California (USC) earning All-American honors. Polamalu was chosen by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft and has been a member of two Super Bowl championship teams. Troy has been selected to the Pro Bowl 7X and was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, as well as a member of the NFL 2000′s All-Decade Team. Despite Polamalu’s hard-hitting style on the gridiron, he is known for being soft-spoken and deeply spiritual.

Heath Miller is a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a 2X Super Bowl champion. Miller played college football for the University of Virginia earning All-American honors and was considered the best college tight end in the nation. He is recognized for capitalizing on the opportunities he receives, rarely dropping a pass. Heath holds the record for the longest catch for a touchdown at Heinz Field.

Charlie Batch was a former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers’. Throughout his tenure, he exemplified what it means to be a class act both on and off the field. He is kind of the “hometown hero” to Pittsburghers as he grew up in nearby Homestead and began his football journey on the gridiron for Steel Valley HS. Best wishes to Charlie in his future endeavors as I am sure he will continue to fulfill his role as a goodwill ambassador to those here in the Steel City. Featured here is Charlie with the town of Homestead in the background and the Homestead High Level Bridge. Most Pittsburghers have traveled along this bridge on the way towards either Kennywood, Sandcastle or the Waterfront.