The Pittsburgh Steelers Behind The Steel Curtain Dynasty Collection
The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). The line was the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, which won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) in six years.[1]
The Steelers began their 1976 season 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw. For the nine games remaining in the season, the Steelers recorded five shutouts (three of them uninterrupted), and only allowed two touchdowns (both in a single game), and five field goals. The defense allowed an average 3.1 points per game and the team had an average margin of victory of 22 points. Eight of the Steelers' starting eleven defensive players were selected for the Pro Bowl that year, and four would be selected to the Hall of Fame.[2]
The Steel Curtain included:
No. 75 "Mean" Joe Greene - defensive tackle 1969-1981, 4-time Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV), 10-time Pro Bowl selection (1969-1976, 1978, 1979), 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1972, 1974), NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, NFL 100 All-Time Team
No. 68 L. C. Greenwood - defensive end 1969-1981, 4-time Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV), 6-time Pro Bowl (1973-1976, 1978, 1979), NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
No. 63 Ernie Holmes - defensive tackle 1972-1977, 2-time Super Bowl champion (IX, X)
No. 78 Dwight White - defensive end 1971-1980, 4-time Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV), 2-time Pro Bowl (1972, 1973), Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
Greene is the only surviving member of the line, with the deaths of Holmes and White in 2008 and Greenwood in 2013.
I met Terry Bradshaw. He spoke at my Dad's college graduation. I shook his hand, and he knelt down- KNELT DOWN- to look me in the eye and tell me, "It's nice to meet you, son." I'll never forget that.
I'm 70-year-old this year and what a time it was being a young man watching the steelers from 1972 to this very day what a great team and a great time to be young watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, And guess what Ernie Holmes signed my grandson's football the year Roethlisberger Berger won his first Super Bowl.
The current Steelers players should watch this video.
It appears the current players have forgotten what being a Pittsburgh Steelers is all about
Did you notice throughout this whole program, it was always we. Never me or I. This truly was a team.
I didn’t… but I rewatched it and you are spot on.
Good point. Born in 67 fan of the KC Chiefs and the STL football Cardinals. As a kid if you loved football you knew all about the Steel Curtain. I loved watching #58 play. Great time to be a kid
The Greatest Dynasty of the Super Bowl Era. 🏈
It's not even close!!!! The GREATEST team in NFL HISTORY PERIOD END OF STORY!!!! 4 SB's In 6 years and should have been 5 in 6 years!!! Not 🚫 THOSE cheating SPYGATE DEFLATEGATE SOBs from New England and BASTON!!!! Screw them!!!!!!
I was lucky enough to have grown up in the 70's, what an introduction to the NFL. I still pull out my old football cards and relive the memories. Steeler nation for life! Thanks for the video, it made my day 👆😎
That’s cool I got steeler team sets from 1973 till 1984 I really like looking at the 1970s cards which includes Harris rookie Lynn Swann rookie, Lambert rookie , stalworth rookie and 2nd year terry Bradshaw and Joe green and many others.
Couldn't have said it any better
I was a teenager for most of seventies, but didn't become a Steelers fan til about 1983 when Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert were retiring Bradshaw having throwing arm issue and I believe Lambert with turf toe. Been a Steelers fan since til the day I die.🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈 4:32
Steeler Nation? There's only one NATION. RN4L
RIGHT, MY FAVORITE TEAM UNTIL BRADSHAW RETIRED!
Even a lifelong Dallas Cowboy fan like me cannot help but truly admire and respect what the Pittsburgh Steelers accomplished in the 1970s and the incredibly amazing, super talented and tough as nails players on their team. The city of Pittsburgh was going through some tough times in the 1970s and the Steelers with their four Super Bowl victories in 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 brought some much needed unity, happiness, joy and fun to their city and their fans. The Steelets even got a little help from the Pittsburgh Pirates with two Worlds Series wins in 1971 and 1979 and also the Pittsburgh Panthers won the 1976 college football championship. And those Pittsburgh Steelers from the 1970s built a foundation and tradition of winning that later Steeler teams rested on and inspired those to win a few more Super Bowls and be consistent winners throughout the past 40 to 50 years. Who knew and who could have forseen what the 1969 Pittsburgh Steelers with a record of 1-13 would go on to accomplish over the next ten seasons ?
Good to see Bud Carson getting the credit he deserves in this documentary.
Pittsburgh was magical in the 70’s. The Bucs fielding all black, Pitt with Moreno, Dorset and Hugh Green, The STEEL Curtain and Birdshaw’s arm….crazy!
I was born in 71. Farm kid middle of nowhere in Kansas. I was born loving sports. When i was 5, my older siblings were watching football. I saw the steelers and loved those black uniforms. The love affair was born with the Steelers. Mean Joe was my favorite. I got a poster of the steel curtain for xmas and i would fall asleep staring at that poster while listening to MNF with Jack Buck and Hank Stram. Tiny , red AM radio that i slept with by my ear. Something the younger generation will never understand, is how the NFL was back then. U had a noon game (always Steelers) and the late game(always Cowboys). Every one living in remote areas were predominantly Steelers or Cowboys fans. What made the rivalry so intense was the players spent entire careers with your team. The arguments of kids at school, family reunions, were intense. My love for the Steelers was gradually replaced by the chiefs, but i still root for the steelers. My hatred of the Cowboys will never leave. As a Chiefs fan we realize how fortunate we are to have Mahomes. I hate comparisons of greatest teams, players. The evolution of how the game is played make comparisons and stats moot. You can only use the eye test. For me, The 70s Steelers are the greatest.
The final words spoken in this documentary - by Jack Lambert - said it all. They spoke his heart, the hearts of his teammates, and that of Steeler fans everywhere.
😢 SNIFF ❤ 8:33
The steelers were not my favorite team but they were the best
Of all the incredible stats to hear, I still say the Steelers only having 3 Head Coaches since 1969 (It was '69, right?) is just unbelievable.
The best Team ever!!!
Without a doubt !!!
Let’s not forget the 72 dolphins!
@@glencastleberry8632 WAIT! WHAT? 😧 NOPE🤨
As a Steeler fan, I should say that was a hell of a video! Those Steelers teams were magical. Grade A excellence!
I really like it too!
Chuck Knolls description of the Immaculate Reception was spot on. Only the Emperor would justify the controversy with physics.
The football life series about the immaculate reception was excellent. They had the physics professor address, the flight and force of the ball, it was awesome
I grew up with the guy that painted that "steel curtain" banner. Paul Kazmierczyk.
That’s way cool!!! Iconic!
Yippee lol
OMG...I always wonder who made that, thanks!
Someone once said Winning one championship gets you a sentence in the history books. Winning two gets you a paragraph, but a dynasty gets you and entire chapter
And an entire wing in the Hall of Fame in Canton
I went to school in Pittsburgh in the 70's. The Steelers, The Pirates and The Penguins were winners all over the place. What a great time to be living in that incredible city! Steelers FOREVER~!
From Northside
I remember the game! It was celebrated equally to NewYears Eve. The game was replayed in tv the next day. May God Rest your soul Franco!
I'm a Raiders fan have been since early 70s people in Pittsburgh wouldn't have 4 Superbowls had it not been for the Defense.Hell every player on the defense is in the Hall of Fame. Talk about 85 bears or Tampa or the Ravens defense they were good but not for a decade. The Steelers were and always will be the Greatest ever.
I agree. They were amazing.
Like the video said, the offense carried the team in 78/79...
When I was a kid in Michigan I loved the steelers I could name Every player on the team back in the good old days football
Born in 71 I remember as a 6 year old watching the Steelers and that was my team for a lifetime. Lambert and Harris we’re my favorites
Same here… Growing up in western Pennsylvania we had a choice between Pittsburgh Cleveland, or Buffalo… The choice was easy. My favorites were Lambert and Ham. On offense, it was always Bradshaw
Go Cowboys.
Born in January 71…. Grew up in Philly but loved the 70’s Steelers…had that magnetic electronic game field with the Steelers and cowboys with a small white ball you would tuck under the arm of the plastic players as they haphazardly went around the “field.”
I was born in 1970. Growing up in Clairton. About 8 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. I loved the Steelers then. I had that magnetic game to!!!
Born in 69 grew up in Texas steelers where my team what a dynasty
never been a Steeler fan ever..... but these men were unstoppable
The legacy of the Steelers is unmatched. They are the greatest dynasty ever! After changes in football, they still managed to stay on top! Man o man. What a good documentary
I love this team when whas the real game we had the greatest team ever
Grew up in the 70's greatest team ever !!!
They had the best Play -Action -Pass -I ever saw..
That trap was devastating.
This was a great documentary.
I love it… I could watch it once a week and never get tired of it
I'm a " Oakland Raiders " fan this is a good and appreciated story the 70 's football was my favorite . To all the Owners Coaches Players who have passed God Bless--Rest in Peace 🙏
That great steel curtain defense and the Pittsburgh steelers of the 1970s team that team was made in heaven
RIP Franco Harris!!
Absolutely.
I am a Browns fan, unfortunately I can attest to the dominance of the Steel Curtain. 😢
I am a Cowboys Fan, and I know what you're talking about, they were awesome.
@@lamonthunt8711 The Cowboys and the Steelers played in two of the most competitive Super Bowls in Super Bowl X and Súper Bowl XIII. Nothing like seeing two great teams going toe to toe the whole game.
The Entire 76-77 team should be enshrined into the HALL OF FAME. COMING from a Bengals fan.
I agree wholeheartedly
Ron Shanklin most underrated Steelers receiver of all time #25 RIP!
He got overshadowed by Swann and Stallworth (the newcomers) but he was an amazing player
4 Championships in 6 years I would think is enough evidence to argue who had the best players/team against any other NFL club in the "modern" era. Here's to you Otto Graham and Bart Starr, you are not forgotten in Pittsburgh.
They weren't my favorite team but they had the best defense ever, just ferocious and mean hard hitting group of guys 😵💫🤕🤬
When the league had to change the way the defense could play because you're beating everyone up, you know you're the best ever.
Bradshaw and the passing game struggling while have all the playmakers there reminds me a little of the current Steelers. Kenny Pickett and passing game struggling but the running game and defense are solid. Let’s hope the offense comes along like it did then
Passing game was the best ever, had the two best wide receivers ever still til this day! I never saw them drop a pass!
@@DarrellPerry-di2ue yes for sure they got great. They struggled throwing the ball big time at the beginning of Bradshaw career though. Hoping KP does the same but it’s looking grim being hurt all the time/etc
Ron Shanklin most underrated Steelers receiver of all time #25 RIP!. never been a Steeler fan ever.....but these men were unstoppable.
In the end There is no Greater, in my life time! Love the 70's STEELER!
I agree 100 percent
That Immaculate Reception nonsense ticked me off. I'm watching the game knowing that the Raiders are going to win and here comes Franco. The feelings are still raw after 51 years, but seeing it live was something special. One of the top plays of all time.
Such GREAT AND MARVELOUS memories of the BEST NFL team of the 1970s!!!! #HereWeGoStleelers!! And enjoyed watching them play on TV as a kid during that great era! 😃😏🖤💛🖤💛🏈🏈🏈
I can’t watch them enough… Love it every day
BTW: I once stood beside #7 just before a game. He's just huge. Im 6'0" and I looked him right in the shoulder pad. He's well proportioned so he never seems portly. Big Ben is well named.
I was born in 1968, and grew up with the Steel Curtain Steelers. I wanted to be the kid in the Coke commercial, and I still have a crush on Terry Bradshaw. I lived ten miles from Penn State University, where Franco Harris caught the eye of the Steelers recruiting team. I root for three teams; my Steelers, the Philadelphia Eagles (only if they’re not playing against the Steelers), and whoever’s playing against the Dallas Cowboys!
Not to mention the linebackers, Andy Russell, Jack Ham( HOF ) and of course the legendary #58 Jack Lambert( HOF )!! There will never again be a group of linebackers equal to these three. NEVER!!!
Never. And never another defense like it either.
I can name a group of linebackers just as good. The Giants with Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks, Harry Carson, and Reason's. Even New Orleans with Pat Swilling, Sam Mills, Vaughn Johnson, and Rickey Jackson were pretty good too.
@@DWVigilante Are u kidding me? The Giants linebackers had the best defensive player of all time in Lawrence Taylor hof, Harry Carson hof, Carl Banks would have been hof if he played long enough. They had tougher competition also. The 49ers, Redskins, and Bears in the 80's. The Giants did not have hall of fame caliber players on the dline like the Steelers to help out the linebackers. The Giants won two super bowls with no hall of fame players from the offense too. The linebackers carried those teams to the Lombardi. Look at the rosters of those Giants teams.
ILB Jack Ham and 43 strong side OLB Jack Ham are percieved by many as the goat at their respected positions , OLB Andy Russell's name routinely came up on potential Hof induction , and remember the Steelers first SB winning team.wasnt a elite offensive team ,the second SB victorious team hasn't yet thoroughly explored Stalworth as a pronounced offensive threat ,thus the Steelers legendary defense and rushing attack was it's defined weapon . A Steelers defense that objectively has 5 players who can be considered the goat at their positions when Mean Joe Greene ,Mel Blount and Donnie Shell are included in the Lambert and Ham equation . Donnie Shell career 51 ints was #1 all time decades after his retirement for a ss ,his combined fum rec made him ,#1 in ss career turnovers , the Steel Curtain defense possessed 4defensive player of the year winners Green twice 72,74 ,Blount ,Ham ,75 by two separate sporting news organizations , 76 Lambert . Giants elite defense can't began to compare to that . The Steelers had to compete against 70's dynasty's dolphins ,Cowboys , 4 time sb losers Vikings ,One time SB winner , two time sb participant dynasty raiders who had the best winning pct in all of north American team sports , in 75 the afc central was the first div to have three teams win double digits wins ,Steelers 12-2 ,Bengals 11-3 oilers 10-4 ,the Steelers won all 4 contests vs those div foes . 5 times during the 70's the AFC Central had multiple teams make post season ,the 78''79 oilers were considered. arguably the best team.inthe NFL entering post season The rams were also a team.during most of the 70's who were viewed as being potentially the best team during a particular.season ,the Steelers opposition wasn't by any means horribly subpar in contrast to the giants .The Steelers accomplished more while having to turnover some of its roster obstacles after 77 . @@ralphcastro3046
@ralphcastro3046 there's always one guy who THINKS he knows best. So freaking delusional, sad really... slither back under your rock....
I have been a Steeler fan since 1970.Those defences were so much fun to watch.I hope the recent moves can get us back to respected ststus.
Rocky Blieier does not get the credit he deserves for how valuable a player he truly was. He could do it all. Block run, I think I saw him drop one pass, and could pick up the blitz. If he misses Cliff Harris blitzing in SB X, Bradshaw doesn’t even get the td pass off to Swann.
And played with the injures he got in Vietnam
"Don't knock the Rock!" Was a popular saying back then. I saw it all, I lived it all.
His autobiography 'fighting back' is one of the best books I have ever read. Read it, it is an excellent narrative of how he overcame battlefield wounds to become a Football legend.
That team was loaded with talent and that could be the reason for Rocky Blieier not getting the recognition that he deserves the 70s Steelers were a awesome team.
Aw dam yes he does all of the documentary's about him and his story
That 76 def was the best one year def ever, and yet didn't win the Super Bowl that year. 28 total points scorec against 9 games.
Without a doubt!
#64 Steve Furness my favorite Steeler!!
Damn, I love my team and my city of Pittsburgh.
As a Baltimore Colt’s fan I remember a playoff game in Baltimore when our QB Bert Jones was sacked by Greenwood. Jones made the mistake of throwing football into his face. The rest of game Greenwood made his life miserable. Steelers killed us that day. Man what a defense they had
From 1974 to 1976 Steelers Defense is the greatest Defense of unit was the greatest ever in NFL History the league that changed the game period
You betcha.
The “Mel Blount Rule “. He was so dynamic that they had to change the rules that you couldn’t touch a receiver beyond the 5 yard line. 37:20 37:21
Franco was sneaky fast. He grinded out some tough yards against my Cowboys in both Super Bowls.
No doubt
I was a teammate of Tom Beasley (#65) when at Va Tech. Tom came back to VT for a visit. He told us a bunch of stories about the Steelers. One story I remember was about Ernie Holmes. He indicated if Ernie didn’t feel like conditioning after practice with the rest of the d-linemen, he would just walk over and sit under a tree. Tom indicated none of the coaches really wanted to deal with Ernie, so he got to do his own thing.
They'll never be another steel curtain I'm happy to have seen it 😊 ☺️ 😄😊 R.i.power greenwood, Dwight,Holmes
I agree. They say the 85 Bears were greater… I disagree vehemently!
@@TWAF Chuck Noll & The Steelers have a link to pro wrestling while in San Diego Noll coached Ernie Ladd & in Pittsburgh he coached Ernie Holmes who wrestled in Houston. Bruno Sammartino almost played for The Steelers too
There are teams that are the cities to me its the STEELERS , PACKERS , BROWNS , they are the heart of their cities and thats why those cities love them.
One of those greatest games
I live outside pittsburgh during the whole steel d thing and I was a cowgoys fan during the 70's
Though I was born & raised in NYC my dad had the decency to raise me a Steelers fan in the '70s. And they're the only team in any sport that still makes me feel like an 8 year old when I see the uniform. Including the Yankees - my other favorite team.
1974 - the best draft in NFL (or perhaps any league's) history. Swann. Stallworth. Lambert. Webster. A roll call of Canton's elite.
"If I have to motivate you - I will fire you"- WOW
Few people comment on the PR skill that went into getting the Steelers a new stadium. It involved Pitt athletics, local politics, state politics, etc. The Rooneys played it perfectly. They went from a gate of 25,000 to 58,000 in 2 years.
The people of Pittsburgh are still paying for a stadium THEY VOTED DOWN
@@rvr1892 Oh, I'm completely aware if this. I thought it was an outrage. But you have to recognize the Rooneys used a lot of skill and a lot of political goodwill, and came out of it with a positive public perception. Also, I didn't live in Pittsburgh. The story got "0" attention in the non-sports media.
Great show Gentlemen 🔥 PBS4L. THIS IS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL SEASON.
Thanks for sharing! Great walk down memory lane! That team had basically had a star at every position. All gained through the draft. That defense lived in the opposition’s backfield. Even on simple plays they hit so hard. I fear the days of Steeler football may not arise again in my lifetime. Just lost two games on home turf to 2-win teams.
Can’t remember the last time my beloved Steelers were dominant. It’s a crying shame.
"If i could start my life all over again, U Dam well better believe I'd be a Pittsburgh Steeler." That says it All.!!
I'm a diehard Bengals fan here but the Steelers kicked our ass a time or two 😢
I grew up a Dolphins fan and when we beat the Steelers in '72 in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship game on our way to complete the perfect season, Csonka has said the week leading up to that game when watching film it was like looking in the mirror. Both Shula and Noll played for Paul Brown with the Cleveland Browns and built and coached their teams nearly identically.
The best team in the NFL today could not win against this team . They were built from the top to the bottom with perfect puzzle pieces.
I agree… from top to bottom, the best in history!
Man from a old School Steelers fan . I did appreciate your opening about having a hard schedule. Who cares We Here ! Let's Go! But like your prediction i think we could 13-4 and 11-6 is about right . Good Production
@1:31:50🏈 a perfect tight pass! 🏈
This documentar is awesome. Very good job.
Me and My Brother's Favorite Team
Anyone think it's strange that despite arguably being the most fabeled and dominant defensive line of the Super Bowl era, only one player from the Steel Curtain is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? L.C. Greenwood had excellent Super Bowl games against two HOF tackles (Yary and Wright), yet he is not in the HOF. He also had regular season accolades (Pro Bowls, All-AFC, All-Pro). Never mind 4 rings. There are defensive linemen from the SB era in the HOF who accomplished less.
I agree with you and think it’s because they don’t want that entire defense in the Hall of Fame. It is a shame!
AMEN AMEN AND AMEN. L C should be in the HOF
I'm 67 now...do the math...lol...I grew up 25 minutes from St Vincent College, by bicycle...lol...I saw it all...have 3 practice jerseys...got to touch them as they ended the practices, running between the " snow fence "...have pictures...as i got older...saw them at the local bars... Spring training here in Latrobe... Here we go Steelers, Here we go!!!!!!
Good stuff. Thanks for posting and be safe 🙏
Thanks, you too!
were you born it pitsburg?@@TWAF
@@user-si1hs5zj9elearn to spell!!!
Steeler nation owes a great debt of gratitude to Bill Nunn. He found the talent, which became the Steelers, defensive line and other players that the Steelers drafted on his recommendation. But I see other people have been taking bows for his work for years
2ME this was the Golden Era of football 🏈🏉 so much better than what we see today
Nobody's other team loves a true winner chuck knoll and the boys
Steel here!!
Great technique and fundamentals lead to more aggressive and legendary players.
Thanks for sharing this! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
You are so welcome!
Best Defense EVER.
You could definitely make that argument.
Great video! Love the Lambert picture @29:20
Ironically enough the Steelers gave rise to the description of the NFL north as the "black and blue division". An opposing coach said that "you will probably beat the Steelers but they will leave you black and blue".
My favorite NFL football team of all time my favorite Football player was Big Ben number 7
Gran nostalgia volver a ver a mi equipo de toda la vida. Tuve la suerte y la fortuna de verlos jugar y ganar esos super bowls inolvidables. Estos videos e historias espero se los pongan a ver a las nuevas promesas. Y eran shingadazos de los buenos. Harta nostalgia. Gracias mil por estos bellos recuerdos. Saludos.
41:32...the Steelers famous trap offense 👍🏿😁
Awesome.☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺
Thank you! Cheers!
💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤
But the Steelers had an offense also
The Steelers were a thorn in the Side of Houston. a Great Rivalry from the 1970's til this day/
Some time back I read a story about Bradshaw. He told of his struggles his first season or so. How there was so much to learn. He admitted to being a lost ball in tall grass. He was trying too hard, and trying to overthink everything. Finally there was THAT game. I don't recall what game it was or which season of his it was, but he tells of how after struggling early in the game, he broke the huddle, came up to the line and.... in an instant 'the light came on' for him. In that instant all the stuff he was trying to learn, all the things he was trying too hard at FINALLY jelled for him. Everthing suddenly made sense!
I have got chills 🥶
This was so good I almost forgot I was a cowboy fan back then!😂
STEELERS MAKE IT TOUGH by APOLOGETIX a great football song
Never forget how great the " peorple gang" was,!
America's Team The Pittsburgh Steelers .
Man that was awesome to watch. I grew up during those years. Damn I loved watching them destroy Houston and Dallas. Great times. You don't see smash-mouth football like that anymore.
No Narcisissism here and that stands out.
Rocky Blier was disabled from the Vietnam War and told by doctors he’d never run again. Never let someone else tell you what you can’t do.