Steelers retired numbers: Which jersey numbers have they retired both officially and unofficially?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a historic franchise since its inception in 1933. Over the years, the organisation has been blessed to have had numerous legendary and iconic players. Yet, despite this fact, only a few Pittsburgh Steelers have retired numbers as of 2023.

Being one of the top franchises in NFL history, they have six Super Bowl victories, tied with the New England Patriots for most of all time. Besides, a team does not win as much as Pittsburgh has without having an array of great players come through. However, the question is, do the Steelers have any retired numbers?

A list of all Steelers' retired numbers

The Steelers have had many legendary executives and head coaches aside from the players often in the spotlight. After an in-depth analysis, Sports Brief came up with a list displaying Steelers' unofficially and officially retired numbers.

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Officially retired numbers

Unlike other sports, where you will find a couple of retired jersey numbers, Pittsburgh has three officially retired numbers and many unofficially retired numbers. Below is a list of the officially retired numbers in the team.

3. Ernie Stautner - Number 70

• Full name: Ernest Alfred Stautner
• Date of birth: 20 April 1925
• Place of birth: Cham, Bavaria, Germany
• Age: 80 years of age as of August 2023

Stautner debuted in the team in 1950 and spent his entire 14-year career with the team. He is renowned for being a nine-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro defensive tackle. His jersey number, 70, was the first number to be officially retired by the franchise.

2. Joe Greene - Number 75

• Full name: Charles Edward Greene
• Date of birth: 24 September 1946
• Place of birth: Temple, Texas, USA
• Age: 76 years of age as of August 2023

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Being the fourth overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft, Joe Greene spent 13 years with the Steelers and was a Pro Bowler in 10 of his first 11 seasons. The four-time All-Pro selection is allegedly among the biggest name in Steelers' franchise history.

3. Franco Harris - Number 32

• Full name: Franco Harris
• Date of birth: 7 March 1950
• Place of birth: Sewickley, Pennsylvania, USA
• Age: Died at 72

From the best quarterback in franchise history to the best running back, Harris spent the first 12 years of his career with the Steelers. He is renowned for being a nine-time Pro Bowler and was a part of the championship teams.

Having run for 1,000 yards eight times and double-digit touchdowns five times with the Steelers, Harris led the league with 14 rushing touchdowns in 1976.

Unofficially retired numbers

Aside from the officially retired jersey numbers, some are tired but not officially. Below is a list.

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9. Terry Bradshaw - Number 12

• Full name: Terry Paxton Bradshaw
• Date of birth: 2 September 1948
• Place of birth: Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
• Age: 74 years of age as of August 2023

The team drafted Bradshaw with the first pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, and they got their franchise quarterback. In 14 seasons, Terry Bradshaw finished with a regular season record of 107-51. He is known for being the best quarterback in franchise history.

8. Jerome Bettis - Number 36

• Full name: Jerome Abram Bettis Sr
• Date of birth: 16 February 1972
• Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Age: 51 years of age as of August 2023

As a Steeler, Bettis ran for over 10,000 yards and scored 78 touchdowns. He finished with over 1,000 or more yards during his first six years in the franchise. An All-Pro in 1996, Jerome Bettis led the league with 375 carries and was the most significant workhorse.

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7. Troy Polamalu - Number 43

• Full name: Troy Aumua Polamalu
• Date of birth: 19 April 1981
• Place of birth: Garden Grove, California, USA
• Age: 42 years of age as of August 2023

Troy Polamalu completely changed the way that the safety position was often played. He totaled 32 interceptions, 107 pass deflections, and 783 tackles with the Steelers. He is said to be one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the game. The Hall of Famer was a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro member.

6. Mel Blount - Number 47

• Full name: Melvin Cornell Blount
• Date of birth: 10 April 1948
• Place of birth: Vidalia, Georgia, USA
• Age: 75 years of age as of August 2023

Blount was another champion during his time in Pittsburgh. The defensive legend finished his career with 57 interceptions, including a league-leading 11 in 1975. He started 189 games for the Steelers and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

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5. Mike Webster - Number 52

• Full name: Michael Lewis Webster
• Date of birth: 18 March 1952
• Place of birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
• Age: Died at 50 years of age

Webster spent 15 years as a Steeler before finishing his career in Kansas City. The centre was a staple along the offensive line for the Steelers from 1976. His durability, pure toughness, and aggression made him one of the top linemen in the football arena.

4. Jack Lambert - Number 58

• Full name: John Harold Lambert
• Date of birth: 8 July 1952
• Place of birth: Mantua, Ohio, USA
• Age: 71 years of age as of August 2023

Jack Lambert could arguably find himself on the Steelers' Mount Rushmore. The linebacker is one of the top defensive players in franchise history. In fact, in 1976, Lambert won Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with two interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.

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3. Jack Ham - Number 59

• Full name: Jack Raphael Ham Jr
• Date of birth: 23 December 1948
• Place of birth: Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA
• Age: 74 years of age as of August 2023

Jack Ham is renowned for putting together one of the most incredible stretches in NFL history. In six consecutive seasons, he was a First-Team All-Pro every year.

Ham was a dominant force on the Steelers' defense, especially in the 70s. Pittsburgh is a franchise that has had an array of legendary defensive players, and any given list cannot be completed without Ham.

2. L.C. Greenwood - Number 68

• Full name: LC Henderson Greenwood
• Date of birth: 8 September 1946
• Place of birth: Canton, Mississippi, USA
• Age: Died at 67 years of age

Greenwood was a behemoth on the defensive end during his time in Pittsburgh. Moreover, he was a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro member, and All-AFC five times. He played when sacks were not an official stat. However, if they were, he would have led the Steelers six times with a total of 73.5.

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1. Hines Ward - Number 86

• Full name: Hines Edward Ward Jr
• Date of birth: 8 March 1976
• Place of birth: Seoul, South Korea
• Age: 47 years of age as of August 2023

Hines Ward was selected in the third round during the 1998 NFL Draft. He signed a three-year deal worth $885,000 as a rookie and was the fourth receiver on the depth chart. It did not take long for him to become a vital team option.

He turned in six 1,000-yard seasons with the Steelers and was a four-time Pro Bowler. Additionally, in 2005, Ward was named Super Bowl MVP.

From the list of the Steelers' retired numbers, you will realize that most of them played the defensive position. However, far from the fact, they all have left an unforgattable mark on the sport's arena as all of them are renowned for their impressive accolades.

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