Troy Polamalu played 12 seasons of pro football, all for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even as a safety, Polamalu was the face of the team's defensive stoutness. Polamalu won DPOY honors in 2010 and was named to 6 All-Pro teams (4 First Team and 2 Second Team nods) and earned 8 Pro Bowl invitations. Polamalu has a legitimate claim to the title of the greatest safety in NFL history.
Jack Ham was the best outside linebacker of his era. The Pittsburgh Steelers legend recorded 21 fumble recoveries and 32 interceptions in 12 seasons, in addition to 25 sacks (unofficial). Ham earned eight straight Pro Bowl nods from 1973-1980, winning six straight First Team All-Pro selections from 1974-1979 in this period and two Second Team nods. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Franco Harris was the starting fullback for the Steelers' Steel Curtain dynasty of the 70s, winning four Super Bowls with them. Through 13 seasons in pro football, Harris earned 9 Pro Bowl invitations during his career, including one in his final season with the Seahawks. Harris also had a First Team All-Pro selection and two Second Team nods to his name.
Ernie Stautner played 14 seasons of pro football with the Pittsburgh Steelers, missing only six games during this period. The trailblazing nose tackle earned 9 All-Pro selections, including four First Team and five Second Team nods. The German-American defensive star was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Maurkice Pouncey is considered the greatest center of the 2010s, as evidenced by his selection to the All-Decade Team. Pouncey also won the Rimington Trophy in college. Through 11 professional seasons, Pouncey racked up 9 Pro Bowl invitations, 2 First Team All-Pro nods and 3 Second Team selections.
The original "Iron Mike" is often considered the greatest center in pro football history. Mike Webster was the fulcrum of the Steelers' offensive line during the Steel Curtain's run of four Super Bowl wins. Webster played 17 seasons of pro football, with 15 of them in Steelers colors. Webster compiled 6 First Team All-Pro selections, 2 Second Team All-Pro nods and 9 Pro Bowl invitations between 1978-1987.
Jack Lambert was the premier middle linebacker of the 1970s along with Dick Butkus. As the starting middle linebacker for four Super Bowl teams with Pittsburgh, Lambert earned a DPOY title in 1976, the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1974, 6 First Team All-Pro nods, 2 Second Team selections and 9 straight Pro Bowl invitations from 1975-1983.
"Mean" Joe Greene was perhaps the single most feared defensive lineman of the 1970s. During his 13-year pro football career, Greene compiled a whole cabinet of honors - two DPOY awards, the Defensive Rookie of the Year for 1969, 5 First Team All-Pro nods, 3 Second Team selections and 10 Pro Bowl invitations. It's safe to say that "Mean" Joe Greene was the defensive centerpiece of the Steel Curtain.
