PITTSBURGH – Iconic former Steelers players such as “Mean Joe” Green, Terry Bradshaw and Jerome Bettis are practically synonymous with the dynastic franchise itself. While many former players remain immortalized in the townfolks’ souls, some have chosen to remain in town long after their playing days ended.
And according to Pittsburghers, many remain as much a part of this blue-collar city as the rolling mountains, the three rivers that slice through the town, and the yellow-painted bridges and buildings (almost everything downtown has a gold tint to it).
As they march onward towards an unprecedented eighth Super Bowl title — the Steelers already own an NFL record seven Super Bowl titles — rolling out visited the city of “Black and Yellow” to find out about the ones who remain as inextricably intertwined within the cultural fabric as they were during their playing days.
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis could have walked off the playing field after retirement and right into the mayor’s office. He was, and remains, that beloved. The bruising running back allowed the Steelers to ride his broad shoulders, seemingly carved in granite, to Super Bowl XL, using a combination of his iron will and unquestioned leadership. According to the New Pittsburgh Courier managing editor Ulish Carter, Bettis has always been a very gregarious and community oriented individual. Even though he is considered an immortal in his Detroit hometown, where he received a key to the city, his roots are firmly planted in the hills of Pittsburgh. He opened Jerome Bettis Grill 36, his jersey number, in June 2007 and has a very active life in the community.
Lynn Swann, unarguably the most physically gifted receiver the Steelers ever had and one of the most spectacular the NFL has ever seen, still receives love in Pitt. The man with conservative political leanings used to have to lean in seemingly physically impossible ways to yank in some of QB Terry Bradshaw’s bombs. Though he hasn’t played in three decades, several of Swann’s awe-inspiring catches still receive heavy rotation on NFL highlight reels to this day. His unsuccessful gubernatorial bid notwithstanding, Swann continues to call western Pennsylvania his home.
Other players who have retained their local ties after playing days include Hall of Fame defensive back Mel Blount and “Mean Joe” Green. Future Hall of Famer Hines “Elbows” Ward, a man who delivers emergency room-type blocks as a receiver, and Pennsylvania native and current quality backup QB Charlie Batch both are also very active in the Steeler community, Carter stresses. –terry shropshire
