There were plenty of great players before the 70s

http://media3.steelers.com/
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Legends Team Press Release
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

To many it might seem like football started in Pittsburgh during the 1970s, when Chuck Noll led the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships.

That is when the love affair between the city and the team really took shape. The players were household names, from the rookies to the Hall of Famers.

The town was football crazy during that time.

But football kicked off well before the 70s in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers were founded in 1933 and from that time until the 1970 season a lot of great players wore the black and gold. That is why, as a part of the team’s 75th Season Celebration, that they announced an All-Legends team on Tuesday.

Those who were selected to the Legends Team were standouts for the team prior to 1970. The Steelers will introduce an All-Time Team, which all players were eligible for, later in the season at their 75th Gala on Nov. 4.

For now though, it’s the ones who took the field before 1970, some of them Hall of Famers as well, that will be recognized and will be honored on Sunday when the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field.

“A lot of people in this town didn’t know football existed before 1970,” said Dick Hoak, a running back for the Steelers from 1961-70 who went on to coach the team’s backs until this year. “This is certainly a great honor. I played with a lot of great players that played before 1970. It’s an honor to be named with these guys.”

Hoak and Jack Butler, a defensive back from 1951-59, were on hand for the announcement. They shared stories about those on the team with them, particularly quarterback Bobby Layne, but they also shared their pleasure with being a part of the exclusive group.

“Naturally it’s an honor and a privilege, especially being born and raised here in the city of Pittsburgh,” said Layne. “To play for the hometown team was a privilege.”

Bobby Layne

Steelers Legends Team - Offense

Quarterback: Bobby Layne (1958-62)

Running Back: Dick Hoak (1961-70), John Henry Johnson (1960-65)

Tight End: Elbie Nickel (1947-57)

Wide Receiver: Roy Jefferson (1965-69), Ray Mathews (1951-59)

Center: Chuck Cherundolo (1941-42, ‘45-48)

Offensive Guard: Mike Sandusky (1957-65),Bruce Van Dyke (1967-73)

Offensive Tackle: Charley Bradshaw (1961-66), Frank Varrichione (1955-60)

Kicker: Armand Niccolai (1934-42)

Steelers Legends Team - Defense

Defensive Line: Eugene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb (1961-62), Ben McGee (1964-72), Bill McPeak (1949-57), Ernie Stautner (1950-63)

Linebackers: Dale Dodril (1951-59), Myron Pottios (1961-65), Jerry Shipkey (1948-52)

Defensive Back: Jack Butler (1951-59), Bill Dudley (1942, ’45-46), Howard Hartley (1949-52), Clendon Thomas (1962-68)

Punter: Pat Brady (1952-54)