INSIDE: Hall of Honor unveiling • Tomlin talks offense

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FROM THE EDITOR | BOB LABRIOLA Steelers show great resiliency

CINCINNATI — Their business is one where nothing means more than the final score, but for long stretches on this night that just didn’t seem to Linebacker Vince Williams came up with one of the two matter. The final score from Paul Brown Stadium Steelers sacks in the second half. was going to identify one of the teams as the win- ner and the other as the loser, and the Steelers Digest Photo/KARL ROSER needed the victory to get them one step closer to winning the AFC North Division and at the same time keep them even with the New England of adversity tonight, a lot of it created by us turn- Patriots for home-field advantage in the postsea- ing the ball over early and a lot of it created by son. Cincinnati. They came to play, and they got after us It was important for the Steelers to defeat the in the first half of the game. They dominated and Bengals here because doing that would put them won possession downs on both sides. They con- in a position where a win over the Ravens would verted third downs with their offense, and we clinch them another AFC North Division title. And weren’t able to get off the field. It was difficult for it’s important to win a division title because that’s us to win third downs on our side. the first step toward making a run in the playoffs. “You also probably have to acknowledge that it And it’s important to have a good won-loss record was difficult for those men to stay focused and play in winning a division title because that’s how a team with their brother laid flat. That’s an element of ball can earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs. as well. Thankfully, the guys stayed on task, and we And it’s important for them to keep winning to give were able to do the things necessary in the second themselves their best chance to capitalize on that half to have us march back, and that (deserves) upcoming date with the Patriots. credit.” All of that was very important, and then sudden- The Steelers played without Haden and Mitchell. ly it wasn’t. Shazier was injured in the first few minutes. They With 11:26 remaining in the first quarter of a still also lost Shazier’s replacement, Tyler Matakevich, scoreless game, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to a shoulder injury, which meant they were down dumped the ball over the middle to wide receiver to their last healthy inside linebacker in L.J. Fort. Josh Malone. Ryan Shazier came up quickly and Antonio Brown was less than 100 percent with a made the tackle, only this time the play was not toe injury. A holding penalty wiped out a 96-yard routine. Shazier drove his shoulder into the receiv- 13 penalties — a 38-yard pass interference by Dre kickoff return by Martavis Bryant. er, and as soon as he hit the turf he reached around Kirkpatrick — and Chris Boswell’s 30-yard field goal “We have a no-blink group,” Tomlin said. and grabbed at his own back. As he laid prone on made it 17-3 at halftime. “We’ve been under duress in that stadium against the ground, his arms were moving but his legs were Then behind the closed doors of their locker that team before. Maybe that past experience not. room during the 12-minute halftime, the Steelers helps us in some way, but largely it’s the men and It soon became apparent that this was a poten- gathered themselves. pulled Coty the belief in each other — belief in our approach — tially grave situation, because as medical personnel Sensabaugh, who seemed to be wearing a target and making the necessary plays to make that belief rushed onto the field to attend to Shazier and play- that Andy Dalton exploited with seven completions reality.” ers from both teams went to their knees in prayer, to A.J. Green for 77 yards and two touchdowns in Maybe it was some combination of belief and his legs never moved. Not at all. When they that first half, and replaced him with rookie Cam wanting to win for a fallen teammate, and it was brought out the cart and the back-board, his legs Sutton. That was the only personnel move, but Bell and Brown and Martavis Bryant and Ben never moved. As Shazier took a ride off the field no there wasn’t much else to do, what with Joe Haden Roethlisberger making plays for the offense, and one ever wants to see anyone have to take to be and Mike Mitchell both inactive and Shazier in the the defense got second-half sacks from Vince loaded into an ambulance and transported to a hospital. Williams and Bud Dupree in allowing the Bengals trauma center at an area hospital, the final score of On the first play of the second half, Dalton again only three more points and 100 yards of offense a game and the ramifications of that final score went to Green, but Sutton broke up the pass, and over the final two quarters. The Steelers did pull could not have seemed more insignificant. maybe that set a tone. The Bengals went three- out the victory with a second straight game-ending Between then and the final 30 seconds of the and-out on that possession, and following the punt field goal from Chris Boswell, and then they got first half the Steelers played like a group that had a the Steelers went 78 yards in nine plays, and after some very good news. vision of a teammate fighting for his quality of life Bell turned another dump-off completion into a 35- Shazier’s condition was improving, and he would stuck in their heads as they saw their deficit grow to yard touchdown, it was a ballgame, 17-10. not need surgery. As the Steelers left here with a 17-0, but in those final 30 seconds Le’Veon Bell “I can’t say enough about the mental toughness seventh straight win and a 10-2 record and their took a dump-off pass and turned it into a 33-yard of that group that’s in the locker room,” Tomlin said seeding atop the AFC intact, that was what really gain and then the Bengals committed one of their during his postgame press briefing. “We faced a lot mattered to them.

STEELERS DIGEST • 3 ON THE COVER

VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 9 (681) Wide receiver Antonio Brown had another strong per- formance for the Steelers in the Monday night game DECEMBER 16, 2017 • $4.95 | against Cincinnati, topped by his game-tying touchdown INSIDE in the fourth quarter. Cover Photo/KIRBY LEE/AP STORY LINES 9 Steelers-Bengals game coverage 15 Steelers-Packers game coverage 27 Hall of Honor unveiled 30 Hall of Honor profile: Dick Hoak VOICES 3 Bob Labriola 5 Coach Mike Tomlin 25 Just My Opinion DEPARTMENTS 35 Steelers roster 37 Steelers Stuff 38 Coming Up

NEXT ISSUE The next issue of Steelers Digest will be print- ed Dec. 18 and will include complete recaps of

CLEATS FOR A CAUSE: Several Steelers players took advantage of the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign in the games against the Baltimore Ravens and New Week 13, with Martavis Bryant showing his support for the city of Las Vegas and linebacker Bud Dupree looking to bring atten- England Patriots as well as analysis on all the lat- tion to Shriners Hospital for Children with the message “Love to the rescue.” Digest Photos/RYAN MEYER est developments involving the team.

THOMAS N. CURTIS, Publisher ANDREW E. COHEN, Managing Editor BOB LABRIOLA, Editor ARMANDO MATO, Creative Director ALAIN POUPART, Associate Editor JIM WEXELL, Associate Editor TERESA VARLEY, Assistant Editor KARL ROSER, Photographer BILL DALEY, Design & Composition ANNE MARIE FLORENCE, Customer Service STEELERS DIGEST subscription information 1-800-334-4005. STEELERS DIGEST is a member of the Professional Football Publishers Association. STEELERS DIGEST (USPS 003-803) (ISSN 1044-2855) is pub- lished twice a month Sept. through Dec., Monthly Feb., April/May, July and August by Steelers Digest, J.V., at 53 Curtiss Parkway, Miami Springs, FL 33166, (305) 594-0508. Periodicals postage paid Miami, Florida and additional mailing offices. Annual subscription rate in USA 12 issues/$49.95. Newsstand rate of $4.95 per issue. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited without permission from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send Address changes to STEELERS DIGEST, P.O. Box 526600, Miami, FL 33152-6600. STEELERS DIGEST is the official magazine of the Steelers, and is published by Curtis Publishing Company. COACH’S CORNER | MIKE TOMLIN Discussing play-action, the no-huddle, and how young players see NFL history

Q. Let’s start by talking about play- action. How would you explain play- action to the average fan? A. The best way to explain it is that offenses generally have a base set of core running plays, plays they run that fit their personality. Different offenses might have different core running plays, but whatever your core running plays are often- times your play-action passes off those actions. So whatever your base-core high-volume runs are, most teams have coordinated play-action passes off those to lean on that and utilize that in an effort Play-action for Ben Roethlisberger and every to get chunks of yards in the passing game. other quarterback always works best when the running game is producing.

Q. What is the offense trying to accom- Digest Photo/KARL ROSER plish by using play-action on the way to getting chunk yardage in the pass- ing game? A. Quite simply, they want their run plays and their run-action pass plays to look exactly the same to the defense. From a keys standpoint, they don’t want the defense to know whether it’s the running plays or the run-actions that accompany them. And if you’re running the ball effectively, you have a chance to have a lot of success with the play-pass. But interestingly in today’s NFL, teams often use the play-pass in an effort to set the run up. Meaning they’ll lead with their play-action passes and then they’ll infuse their run game to supple- high-hat or low-hat along the offensive line long quarterback turns his back to the defense or takes ment it. It’s just one of the interesting evolutions of before that mesh point happens between the quar- his eyes off the defense in an effort to sell it. And today’s NFL. terback and the back. If you’re talking effective also, when you’re talking about selling the run, or play-action pass, you better start with the offensive the offensive line blocking for the run, the linemen Q. Are there specific players on defense line and make sure their pad level is exactly the are susceptible to (pass-rush) games and twists and that play-action is designed to same as it is on running plays. pressures and so forth from the defense, they’re attack? less light on their feet from an adjusting standpoint Q. How do you teach the offensive line- A. Second-level defenders. Usually you think when you’re loading up and selling the hardcore men to handle those kinds of situa- linebackers, but it’s second-level defenders. In a 3- run-action. Like in everything, there is risk and 4 scheme, it’s not necessarily the outside lineback- tions? reward, and that’s part of the cat-and-mouse game ers, but it’s the inside linebackers. Anytime safeties A. Often you teach your offensive linemen to that is football. block the run itself. Big picture, from a theme are down in the box as an eighth run defender, Q. Who are the good play-action teams those guys are included as well. Those are the guys standpoint, all things being equal, you want your in the NFL? you’re trying to affect with the run-action in an offensive linemen to block the run, and to teach it effort to gain an advantage in the passing game. as such I think that’s how you get the energy and A. It really changes from year to year. Often if the pad level that provides the illusion you’re look- you ask me which are the good play-action teams, Q. What goes into an effective play- ing for. I’ll tell you it’s the teams that are running the ball action fake? well. That’s usually the case. If you look at it histor- Q. Are there any disadvantages to the A. Pad level of your offensive line, first and fore- ically, and by that I mean in recent years, it’s those most. A lot of people, when they think about play- offense when it comes to using play- teams that are running the ball effectively. If you action, they think about the hand usage of the action, such as the quarterback hav- look at today’s NFL right now, that’s one of the quarterback, the mesh of the exchange or the fake ing to turn his back to the defense? exchange. Oftentimes good defenses, and particu- A. Certainly, and you mentioned one. It’s one of larly veteran second-level defenders, they feel the critical things in the play-action pass game: The See TOMLIN, page 7

STEELERS DIGEST • 5

TOMLIN | FROM PAGE 5

ways Jacksonville is functioning very well offensive- ly, better than they have in the past. Not a lot of new pieces. Blake Bortles is still the quarterback. Their run game is very effective, and I think their play-action pass game is benefitting from it. Q. Who are the quarterbacks who are good at play-action? A. I just think that’s overblown. That’s just some- thing that color commentators talk about in-game. (Laughs) I don’t know that anybody is outstanding and bowl-you-over exceptional in that area. I’m just Rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has an appreciation for the history of the being honest. I understand what you mean by the game, which is why he’s made it a point to question, and I often hear commentators in that have chats with former Steelers great John regard, but all the professionals — particularly in Stallworth. those situational moments when you’re mis-direct- Digest Photo/KARL ROSER ing a guy on third-and-1 on a hardcore play-action pass in the goal line or short-yardage area — all of these guys are good at it. Q. When talking to your defense about play-action, what do you teach them to be looking for, how do you teach them to react? A. The players who are run players first are to play the run, and the players who are pass players first are to play the pass. And then somewhere in the middle, we’ll find each other. We’ll pick up run players in the passing game, and we’ll pick up pass Q. What kind of information can you know who Rocky Bleier is instantly when they meet players in the running game through natural gather by utilizing no-huddle? him, and they should have no reason to because instincts and keys. I think primarily that anytime you Rocky was retired before they were born. Some A. When you’re at the line of scrimmage, the draw up a defense, and the ball is snapped some of guys don’t know who played 10 years ago because defense doesn’t know when you’re going to snap the men on the field are primary run players first they were into skateboards and Pokémon and it, but they have to be prepared for when you’re and some of the men are primary pass players first. those things when they were 10. Really, it’s individ- going to snap it. If you’re at the line of scrimmage They need to stay true to those responsibilities ual. It depends on the man. and there’s 20 seconds on the play clock, the and play from there. I think that’s how you coach a One of the things I really enjoy is regardless of defense has to be prepared to play. If you choose defense about being sound, because if you talk where you fall on the spectrum, our guys during to snap the ball at five seconds, then there’s 15 specifically about play-action pass then you’re not their stay here really gain an appreciation for the seconds when you’re at the line of scrimmage and defending the run, and if you talk specifically about standard provided by those men. Our guys enjoy get to gather a little information if you can. Or if defending the run, then you’re not defending the learning about their story, and not learning about you choose to snap it at 17, then they better be play-action pass. You have to talk responsibility their story formally like you would do on a “30 for ready for that. No-huddle doesn’t necessarily football, and different men have different responsi- 30,” but engaging with those men, going to dinner mean an increase in pace, it just means an increase bilities per call. with those men, and allowing those men to come in readiness from the defense’s perspective and into their lives. Q. The assumption after the game the potential for information gathering associated We’re blessed because those guys give of them- against the Titans was that you used with that. a lot of no-huddle in it. Is that true? selves to us and share stories of their journey, and Q. On Nov. 25, 27 former Steelers play- that’s the most beautiful thing about it. You can sit A. Oftentimes we’ll run no-huddle to undress, to ers, coaches, and contributors were back and watch a JuJu Smith-Schuster talk to a gather information for a variety of reasons. Not for inducted into the Hall of Honor as . JuJu has no idea what John the reasons people traditionally believe, and that’s Stallworth did as a player. He doesn’t even know why I always make that point. People probably part of the inaugural class. For the current team, is that just elevator what jersey number John Stallworth wore, because make more out of no-huddle than what needs to be John was well retired before JuJu played ball. But music, or is it something more? made out of it in today’s NFL. Every offense in he know that the guy is a Hall of Famer, and he today’s NFL is no-huddle capable. They need to be. A. I think it means different things to different knows that when he shares wisdom with him he They need to be able to change the pace. They people. What I mean by that is you’d be surprised does it from the heart. need to be able to dictate flow. They need to be by the wide range of interest in football history And it’s cool to watch those exchanges, whether able to make the defense operate and communi- within professional football players. Some guys or not JuJu has a frame of reference of who or what cate under duress. grew up on it. Some guys are 25 years old and John Stallworth did as a player.

STEELERS DIGEST • 7

Steelers 23, Bengals 20

DUPREE GETS FREE: Linebacker Bud Dupree set the stage for the Steelers’ game-winning field goal drive when he sacked Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton on third-and-2. Digest Photo/KARL ROSER

STEELERS DIGEST • 9 INSIDE THE GAME | STEELERS 23, BENGALS 20 Steelers’ record: 10-2 • One year ago: 7-5 WHAT WENT RIGHT • Even though the Steelers got the ball with only 26 seconds left in the half following A.J. Green’s second touchdown catch, Ben Roethlisberger and the offense moved 71 yards in three plays to get into position for a 30-yard field goal by Chris Boswell to cut the deficit to 17-3 at halftime. A 33- yard screen pass to Le’Veon Bell moved the ball out to the 50-yard line, and then on the next play a 38- yard pass interference penalty on Dre Kirkpatrick on a deep pass to Antonio Brown put the ball at the 12-yard line. With only 5 seconds remaining, Le’Veon Bell’s 35-yard touchdown off a the Steelers opted for the field goal as time screen pass helped start the Steelers’ rally expired. from a 17-3 deficit. • The second half started out well for the Digest Photo/RYAN MEYER Steelers, and with just over 8 minutes remaining in the period the Bengals’ lead had been sliced to 17- 10. The defense opened with a three-and-out, and then the offense marched 78 yards in nine plays, with the touchdown coming on a 35-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Le’Veon Bell. It was just a dump-off pass to Bell, who ran down the left side- line past a couple of Bengals defenders who thought he was out of bounds. The Steelers con- verted two third downs on the drive, one with a pass to Antonio Brown and another with a designed run by Roethlisberger. • The Steelers cut their deficit to 20-13 with 10:07 left in the fourth quarter when a 37-yard field goal by Chris Boswell capped an 11-play, 74-yard drive. One of the key plays on the drive was a 9- yard run by Le’Veon Bell that converted a third- and-1, and another was a 30-yard pass interference penalty on Dre Kirkpatrick on a deep ball to Martavis Bryant. • It took just about 57 minutes, but the Steelers finally forged a tie, 20-20, on a drive that officially will be recorded as nine plays and 80 yards but actually covered 95 yards because of a taunting penalty on JuJu Smith-Schuster. Roethlisberger completed 6 of 8 for 78 yards on the drive, includ- ing the 6-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown. Wide receiver Antonio Brown absorbed a It was 20-20 with 3:51 remaining in the fourth quar- big hit from Cincinnati safety George Iloka ter. after his touchdown reception tied the game in the fourth quarter.

WHAT WENT WRONG Digest Photo/RYAN MEYER • A turnover on the first possession and a 15- yard penalty on Le’Veon Bell tacked on gave the Bengals the ball in Steelers territory. It was a third- and-7 from the Steelers 48-yard line, and when Ben Roethlisberger tried to get the ball to Eli Rogers over the middle, Adam Jones came across and made a diving interception. After the play, Bell was flagged for unnecessary roughness after being baited by Vontaze Burfict, and the Bengals took over at the Steelers 44-yard line following the penalty. • The Steelers defense ultimately held the

10 • STEELERS DIGEST Bengals to a field goal after the interception, but evaluation on his back. He will not return to that capped a 10-play, 52-yard drive. But com- they lost Ryan Shazier to a back injury along the tonight’s game & there will be no further updates pounding the problem came on the ensuing kick- way. It was a second-and-5 at the Steelers 20-yard at this time.” off, when a holding penalty on J.J. Wilcox nullified line, and Andy Dalton completed a short pass to • Not being on the same page sabotaged a a 96-yard kickoff return by Martavis Bryant. So wide receiver Josh Malone over the middle. Shazier Steelers drive midway through the second quarter. instead of a 20-17 score, it was 20-10, and the came up and made the tackle after a short gain, but On a third-and-2 from the 38-yard line, Ben Steelers started at their own 16-yard line. he grabbed at his lower back almost immediately Roethlisberger anticipated Antonio Brown zigging • On the Steelers possession that began at their after hitting the ground. He was taken off the field when Brown instead was zagging, and the pass was own 16-yard line, a third-and-8 turned into a third- on a back-board. incomplete. Jordan Berry’s third punt of the game and-13 because of a false start penalty on Eli • The Bengals extended their lead to 10-0 with gave the Bengals the ball at their own 22-yard line Rogers, and then on that play, Al Villanueva held an 85-yard touchdown drive on their second pos- with 6:55 remaining in the second quarter. Carl Lawson on a pass that ended up incomplete session of the game. On the drive, Andy Dalton • The Bengals extended their lead to 17-0 with anyway, and the Steelers had to punt. A nice tack- completed 5 of 6 for 46 yards, including the 8-yard a second touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to A.J. le by Brian Allen on the return meant the Bengals touchdown pass to A.J. Green, who got separation Green, this one from 15 yards out, that capped a began at their own 13-yard line with 1:10 left in the from CB Coty Sensabaugh by shoving him to the 15-play, 78-yard drive that ended with 26 seconds third quarter. inside as he broke to the sideline. Dalton also ran left in the first half. The Bengals were 4-for-4 on • The Steelers defense again forced a three- once for 11 yards. third downs during the drive, including a third-and- and-out, this time after Chris Boswell’s field goal, • Around the time A.J. Green was making the 16 early in the possession and a third-and-11, which but Eli Rogers’ punt return out to the Pittsburgh touchdown catch that gave the Bengals a 10-0 is when Dalton found Green for the touchdown. 32-yard line was nullified by another holding lead, Steelers Director of Communications Burt • The Bengals answered the Steelers touch- penalty on J.J. Wilcox, and the offense started at Lauten tweeted, “Injury update: Steelers LB Ryan down with a field goal to restore their lead to 10 the 20-yard line with 8:01 remaining in the fourth Shazier has been taken to the hospital for further points. It was a 41-yard field goal by Randy Bullock quarter.

Kicker Chris Boswell (9) kicked his second game-winning field goal in as many weeks when he nailed a 38-yard field goal on the final play.

AP Photo/FRANK VICTORES

STEELERS DIGEST • 11

INSIDE THE GAME | BY THE NUMBERS - vs. CINCINNATI

Times in franchise history the Steelers Consecutive Steelers won 10 or more of their first 12 games after they moved to 10-2 with the victo- victories in Monday Night ry against Cincinnati. They also did it in 5 Football games. 1975, 1978, 2001 and 2004.

Years since the Steelers had 7 last had a player with con- 24 secutive 1,000-yard rushing sea- Successful field goal attempts sons before Le’Veon Bell did without a miss for Chris Boswell after reaching the 1,000-yard against Cincinnati, including the mark for 2017 against Cincinnati. postseason, during his career. Rashard Mendenhall had 1,000- yard seasons in 2009 and 2010.

Total yards allowed by 8 13 the Steelers in the fourth Quarterbacks in NFL history with quarter. at least 50,000 career passing yards in the regular season after Ben Roethlisberger joined the Penalty yards for group during the game against 173 Cincinnati, the sec- Cincinnati. ond-highest total ever by a Steelers opponent. The record is 188 yards by the on Nov. 15, 2015. 569 Receptions since the start of the Catches for Cincinnati wide 2013 season for Antonio Brown, 0 receiver A.J. Green in the who set an NFL record for most second half after he had seven catches in a five-year span. receptions for 77 yards and two Brown broke the previous mark touchdowns in the first half. of 563 set by Marvin Harrison from 1999-2003. Digest Photo/KARL ROSER Times in Steelers history they had a running back and a wide receiver with 100 receiving yards in the same game after Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown did it against the Bengals. The other time that happened was in 1970 against Cleveland when running back Frenchy Fuqua 2 and wide receiver Ron Shanklin had 116 and 121 yards, respectively.

STEELERS DIGEST • 13 vs. Cincinnati

LE’VEON BELL RUNNING BACK In the first meeting between these teams this season, Le’Veon Bell had 35 carries for 134 yards and an additional 58 yards receiving. In the rematch, Bell reversed things, but his contributions were no less significant. In a come-from-behind victory over the Bengals tonight at Paul Brown Stadium, a victory in which the Steelers didn’t lead until time expired, Bell had 182 yards from scrimmage, but this time the bulk of that total came as a receiver. Bell rushed 18 times for 76 yards (4.2 average), and he caught five pass- es for 106 more, including a 35-yard touchdown in the Steelers’ 23-20 victory.

Digest Photo/KARL ROSER Steelers 31, Packers 28

VICTORY RIDE: Kicker Chris Boswell got a lift after his 53-yard field goal on the final play of the game gave the Steelers the victory in a Sunday night thriller against the Green Bay Packers. Digest Photo/KARL ROSER

STEELERS DIGEST • 15 INSIDE THE GAME | STEELERS 31, PACKERS 28 Steelers’ record: 9-2 • One year ago: 6-5 WHAT WENT RIGHT • Getting off to a fast start is something Mike Tomlin talks to his team about every week, and the offense held up its end against the Packers. Martavis Bryant returned the opening kickoff 38 yards to the Pittsburgh 41-yard line, and from there Ben Roethlisberger directed a 12-play, 59-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard shovel pass to Xavier Grimble for the touchdown. On the drive, the Steelers converted two third downs and a fourth down. • The Steelers tied the game 14-14 with 7:20 Tight end Xavier Grimble gave the Steelers remaining in the first half on the possession that a quick 7-0 lead with a touchdown on was made more difficult by the loss of 50 yards of fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. field position resulting from the penalty that nulli- fied a punt return by Antonio Brown. It was a five- Digest Photo/KARL ROSER play, 65-yard drive, with the key play being a 39- yard completion to Brown, which was followed shortly by a 17-yard pass to Martavis Bryant for the touchdown. Brown caught a pass from Ben Roethlisberger for the two-point conversion that tied the score. • For the first time in the game, the Steelers defense rose up in a situation when the team needed it, and the team needed it following Ben Roethlisberger’s second interception. After the Packers made one first down, sacks by L.T. Walton and then Cam Heyward had the Packers attempt a 57-yard field goal. Mason Crosby’s attempt missed to the left, and the Steelers took possession at their own 47-yard line with 4:15 left in the third quarter. • Tie game again, 21-21, with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. On the 53-yard touchdown drive, Ben Roethlisberger completed 4 of 4 for 39 yards, including the 1-yard touchdown to Antonio Brown, and he also scrambled for 8 yards to convert a sec- ond-and-6. • Last play of the third quarter was a third-and- 12 for Green Bay at its own 23-yard line. Cam Heyward posted his second sack of the night, a 4- yard loss, and the Packers opened the fourth quar- ter by punting from their own 19-yard line. Antonio Brown set up the game-winning • The Steelers finally completed their climb field goal with a great catch along the back to retake the lead with 8:42 remaining in the sideline. fourth quarter. The seven-play, 68-yard drive was Digest Photo/KARL ROSER capped by a 33-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown, and the throw made dropped in perfectly between Davon House and Morgan Burnett. An 11-yard pass to Eli Rogers converted a third-and-6, and an 11-yard run by Le’Veon Bell converted a third-and-1. WHAT WENT WRONG

• Chris Boswell missed the extra point follow- ing the Steelers’ opening-drive touchdown, and then on the ensuing kickoff, which went into the

16 • STEELERS DIGEST Martavis Bryant’s contributions included a long kickoff return and a touchdown recep- tion in the second quarter.

Digest Photo/DALE BARBEE

end zone for a touchback, Vince Williams was • Three plays after the interception, the Packers down came on a third-and-3, and Adams ran past flagged for a personal foul that allowed the had a 14-6 lead after a 54-yard screen pass to Coty Sensabaugh down the right sideline. Mike Packers to begin their opening series at their own Jamaal Williams went for a touchdown. Ryan Mitchell had a chance to make a tackle in the mid- 40-yard line. Shazier missed a tackle, and Sean Davis overran the dle of the field, but he wasn’t able to get Adams on • The Packers took advantage of that field posi- play, and Williams beat the pursuit to the end zone. the ground. tion and turned it into a 60-yard touchdown drive There was 1:22 left in the first quarter after that • Ben Roethlisberger’s second interception that was aided by a key penalty on a third-and-5 Green Bay touchdown. came midway through the third period on an from the Steelers 43-yard line. On the play, • The Steelers lost 50 yards in field position attempted screen pass to Le’Veon Bell. The ball Stephon Tuitt sacked Brett Hundley, but the play when a holding call on Brian Allen nullified a 40- was tipped up into the air by Ahmad Brooks, and it was nullified by an illegal-hands-to-the-face penal- yard punt return by Antonio Brown that would have was intercepted by Blake Martinez. The Packers ty on Artie Burns. Two plays later, Hundley found a given the Steelers the ball at the Green Bay 15-yard took over at the Pittsburgh 45-yard line. wide open Randall Cobb down the left sideline for line with about 10 minutes left in the second quar- • The Steelers’ third turnover of the game came a 39-yard touchdown. The Packers then took a 7-6 ter. on the third play of the fourth quarter. After lead when Mason Crosby converted the extra point • Ben Roethlisberger finished the first half hav- Le’Veon Bell ran for 15 yards on the first two plays with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter. ing completed 17 of 25 for 165 yards, with two of the quarter, he fumbled and the ball was recov- • The Steelers’ second possession ended with touchdowns, one interception, and a rating of 96.2. ered by Blake Martinez at the Green Bay 34-yard the game’s first turnover, which came on a But not reflected in those statistics were five line with 14:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. Demarious Randall interception of a Ben dropped balls. • The Packers tied the game again, 28-28, with Roethlisberger pass that was intended for Eli • The Packers took a 21-14 lead on the first pos- a 12-play, 77-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touch- Rogers on a third-and-9 from the Pittsburgh 49- session of the third quarter with a six-play, 76-yard down run by Jamaal Williams. On the drive, Brett yard line. The Packers took over at their own 45- drive that ended with a 55-yard touchdown pass Hundley completed 7 of 8 for 62 yards. The touch- yard line. from Brett Hundley to Davante Adams. The touch- down came with 2:02 remaining.

STEELERS DIGEST • 17

INSIDE THE GAME | BY THE NUMBERS - vs. GREEN BAY

Times in his career that Ben Roethlisberger has thrown four or more touchdown passes 3 in consecutive games.

Length of Chris Boswell’s game-win- 53 ning field goal, which also was the longest kick by a Steelers kicker in history.

Percentage of Green Bay 60.4 quarterback Brett Hundley’s passing yardage (148 of 245) that came on three touchdowns passes — of 55, 54 and 39 yards. Digest Photo/DAVE ARRIGO

18 Times in Steelers history a running back Career games with 10 or more catches for 5 had at least 80 rushing yards and 80 Antonio Brown, who set an NFL record for a receiving yards after Le’Veon Bell did it player’s first eight seasons. He had been tied 8 against Green Bay. Bell has done it three with Brandon Marshall. times, and has done it twice. Consecutive victories for the Steelers in Sunday 38 Sacks through 11 games for linebacker Yards gained by Martavis Bryant on his first night games, dating T.J. Watt, which became the second- kickoff return of the season. It was the back to Dec. 15, 2013 5 highest total for a Steelers rookie since sacks longest kickoff return of the season for the against Cincinnati. Steelers. became an official stat in 1982.

The victory against Green Bay 12 was the Steelers’ 250th since Le’Veon Bell’s receptions, the highest total the start of 2003, helping for a Steelers running back in the era, breaking the previous mark of 11 set by them join the Patriots and Franco Harris in 1982. 250 Packers to reach that mark.

STEELERS DIGEST • 19

INSIDE THE GAME | STEELERS 31, PACKERS 28 Heyward continues strong season

By JIM WEXELL Associate Editor It’s supposed to be easier — in this defensive age of Keith Butler — for Steelers linemen to get sacks. But here was Cameron Heyward on the field against the Green Bay Packers as the only defen- sive lineman. “Just a different look,” said Heyward. “It worked.” It worked in a big way. Heyward, coming after quarterback Brett Hundley with three linebackers and a strong safety, made perhaps the play of the game with a third- Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward had another strong outing in the Sunday night down sack. victory against the Packers. It brought about the Packers’ doomed 57-yard field goal attempt that missed badly and gave the Digest Photo/KARL ROSER Steelers the ball at their 47 with 19:15 left in a game the Steelers were trailing by 21-14. The Steelers took advantage of the field position to drive and tie the game in the final minute of the third quarter. The Steelers eventually won, 31-28. Heyward didn’t really like the new look (“I like having Tuitt out there”), in which none of the five rushers put a hand on the ground. But Heyward did get another third-down sack on the following series, this time with Stephon Tuitt as his sidekick at tackle in the Steelers’ nickel. It was Heyward’s fourth sack in two games, ninth of the season, to break his career high of 7.5. He also moved past Ray Seals (8.5), Aaron Smith Since Butler replaced Dick LeBeau as defensive week it might be Bud (Dupree), the week after that (8) and Kimo von Oelhoffen (8) on the list of most coordinator in 2015, the defensive linemen have it might be T.J. (Watt), or it might be Tuitt.” sacks in a season by a Steelers 3-4 defensive line- been asked to apply more pressure, in theory mak- Did that mean the same thing for Smith and man. ing it easier for them to get to quarterbacks. Keisel? Next up is Keith Willis, who sacked 12 quarter- But there’s a downside, too. “No, not all the time,” Butler said. “We do a lit- backs in 1986 and 14 in 1983, the year after the “It’s tough because we play so much sub-pack- tle bit different stuff.” team switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4. age,” Heyward said. “I’m almost a D-tackle.” Heyward sat behind Keisel for two years before The new alignment made it more difficult for But haven’t the reins been taken off? starting his first game in 2013. The 2011 first-round defensive linemen to record sacks because they “We do some different things but we still have the pick had five sacks and then 7.5 in LeBeau’s final were too busy playing the run and/or tying up same concepts we’ve always had,” Heyward said. years. In 2015, Heyward had seven sacks before blockers for the linebackers to rush the passer. “Tuitt and I have grown up a lot and we’ve gotten bottoming out with three sacks in his injury-rav- The scheme is one of the primary reasons only better because of it. We’ve changed some things to aged 2016 season. two Steelers defensive linemen, Smith and Brett maximize us getting some one-on-ones but we still a But Heyward is back, as strong as ever. His nine Keisel, have been named to Pro Bowls since the have the same principles to do our jobs.” sacks in 11 games this season projected to 13 in 16. change. And each of those stalwarts of the last Butler said the talent on the field with Heyward That ought to be enough to secure his first Pro Bowl defensive dynasty made it only once. means more than the alignment. berth, even though his position tag finds him com- The Pro Bowl is one of Heyward’s goals, but he “If they feel like he’s a threat, they’ll try to find a peting for votes with highly productive edge players. realizes that sacks are the stat that drives voters at way to double-team him,” Butler said. “If they do “I would like to be recognized,” said Heyward. “I the polls. that, then our other guys have to pick up the slack. know that’s not the ultimate goal, but it’s one thing on “It’s a little crazy,” Heyward said. “There are a lot There’s some talk about the outside linebackers not my checklist I would love to have. My goal is a Super of good defensive linemen who do a lot of good getting as many sacks as they had before. I really Bowl at the end of the day, Super Bowl over Pro Bowl, things besides sacks, whether it’s tackles for loss, don’t care. The only thing that matters to me is we but you want to be recognized by your peers. You pass defense, pressure. There are different elements get pressure on the quarterback. We’re second in want to know that you’re appreciated. I just want to to being a defensive lineman than sacks, but that is a the league in sacks, and it really doesn’t matter to be able to say I did the same thing as my dad. He got highly regarded stat that people get recognized for.” me who does it. Cam is doing it right now. Next recognized two years, so it’s one of my goals.”

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JUST MY OPINION | JIM WEXELL Killer B’s, Bud, ‘AFC North football’

From the notebook of a sportswriter who thought Ben Roethlisberger’s lack of emotion, as Chris Boswell’s kick went through the uprights, was telling: • Even chilling. Ben Roethlisberger’s performance really picked up in the • Mike Tomlin was just as somber following what third quarter of the regular season. normally would have been a thrilling finish. Digest Photo/KARL ROSER • Roethlisberger told ESPN after the game, “Prayers and thoughts really go out to everybody that got hurt, their families, because I know there are a lot of worried people out there.” interference for 38 yards was a perfect pass that went • We’re all worried sick about Ryan Shazier. It real- right through the off-balance Brown’s hands. ly shouldn’t matter that Ryan is a great guy, always • Roethlisberger didn’t do all of his damage ready to help you in any way he can, and with a smile. through the airways. His 4-yard run off a read-option But it does. Everybody loves that kid and hopes he converted a third-and-4 and kept alive the Steelers’ comes out of this the same Ryan who we’ve always first touchdown drive. known. • The Killer B’s came through, and that now has to • Early Tuesday morning, hints of progress by include the icy Boswell, who has never missed against Shazier came from four sources: 1. Gerry Dulac of the the Bengals. Post-Gazette quoted a team source saying, “It’s not • Not that any of the teams the Steelers have what it could have been.” 2. Jacob Klinger of played in their 4-0 stretch in this third quarter of the Pennlive.com reported that Vince Williams received a season were favored to beat the Steelers, but the text back from Shazier at the hospital and Williams Bengals were healthy and probably played their best said, “He’s going to be straight. He’s going to be game of the season. The Steelers, on the other hand, fine.” 3. Cam Heyward answered a question on were showing signs that injuries were finally catching WDVE about the upbeat post-game locker room by up to them. The loss of Shazier was a big part of that, saying, “A lot depends on how he does today. We too. still have to be very careful to not get too excited • The Bengals averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and about it. He’s got to keep progressing.” And Bob also picked on the cornerbacks replacing the injured Labriola of Steelers.com/Steelers Digest reported Roethlisberger could say to wrap up his TV interview Joe Haden. They scored their two touchdowns over that “some feeling has returned to his legs.” was to call that “more AFC North football.” Coty Sensabaugh, forcing Tomlin to insert rookie • The Steelers had reported after the game that • All of this before the grudge match against the Cameron Sutton. It wasn’t clear whether Sutton Shazier was making progress and no surgery would New England Patriots. helped stop Andy Dalton because big sacks by Vince be needed. • No doubt football will continue to be under Williams and Bud Dupree helped keep the Bengals’ • Vontaze Burfict also also taken from the field on siege by those who are looking for it to go away. possession time to 11:18 in a second half the Steelers a stretcher and Antonio Brown was blasted in the • And I have no ideas on how to fix any of it, owned while rallying. face after catching the tying touchdown. The teams because it really “wasn’t out of control,” as Le’Veon • The Steelers also struggled to block Carlos combined for 239 yards in penalties with another 35 Bell said. Dunlap and Carl Lawson on the edges, where right yards declined. It was an absolute meat grinder, the • In fact, many are calling it “compelling stuff,” tackle Marcus Gilbert and tight end Vance McDonald kind of game that could be looked back upon one although I admit to getting strong headaches while were absent with injuries. day as a reason the game was outlawed. watching “AFC North football.” • A relatively healthy season was unraveling at key • Not so much that it was dirty, but that it was as • Roethlisberger may very well have decided to positions even before Shazier went down. clean as the league can get the players to play. call it a career right then and there, and no one would • Ironically, the play that put the Steelers back in Shazier probably hurt himself because he didn’t tack- criticize him for it. But he was the star here. The guy the game, the 35-yard touchdown pass to Bell, was a le with his face up. Burfict was hurt by what used to who I thought wasn’t playing much better in the first result of the Bengals pulling back from making an ille- be a legal hit from a peeling-back wide receiver, and half of the season than, say, a Landry Jones has gal hit and drawing a penalty on the sideline. Two a play that was lauded by in the broadcast emerged as the Roethlisberger of old in the third players let Bell skip right past them in a game in booth. Ilkin later apologized, but while the hit may quarter of this season. He led the Steelers to four which no one else seemed to let anyone gain one have been illegal it was far from dirty. As for Brown, wins, three of them as time expired. His passer rating blade of grass without a fight. he had to hold on to the ball after taking his hit from in the last four games is 101.9. His first-quarter rating • At 10-2, the Steelers can clinch the AFC North George Iloka that was probably lauded by his coach was 90.7 and his second-quarter rating was 74.5. by beating the Ravens, but of course Heyward was as the only way to attempt to stop the tying touch- • His best drive may have been the drive at the asked Tuesday morning by WDVE’s Randy Baumann down. end of the first half to get the Steelers on the score- whether the mounting injuries are setting up a let- • “AFC North football,” Roethlisberger called it board with a field goal. Forty-six percent of that 21- down against the Patriots instead of a showdown. matter-of-factly. And with another meat grinder com- second, 71-yard drive was Bell taking a screen to “I think it sets us up perfectly,” Heyward said. “We ing up Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, all midfield, but the pass to Brown that was ruled a pass should be ready by the time they get here.”

STEELERS DIGEST • 25

Hall of Honor makes debut By TERESA VARLEY | Assistant Editor

The Hall of Honor, a celebration of the history of the Steelers and the individuals who helped to build the tradition, was unveiled during a ceremony prior to the Steelers- Packers game. The idea for the Hall of Honor came from Steelers President II, along with late Chairman . The Hall of Honor was established to recognize former players, coaches, and front office personnel who played

See HALL OF HONOR, page 28 Digest Photos/ARRON ANASTASIA, DAVE ARRIGO, MIKE DRAZDZINSKI, MIKE FABUS, TAYLOR OLLASON and KARL ROSER STEELERS DIGEST • 27 HALL OF HONOR | FROM PAGE 27

an integral role in the success of the franchise, from 27 individuals, all of them major contributors to Bettis, , , Jack Butler, the beginning in 1933 until now. what the organization has accomplished and stands Dawson, , , Kevin Greene, “Probably a long time coming, but it’s really for. L.C. Greenwood, , Franco Harris, Dick exciting to have our first class going into our Hall of “It blew my mind when I first read the list,” said Hoak, , Walt Keisling, Jack Honor,” said Art Rooney II. “A special group that . “It’s phenomenal the talent Lambert, , John McNally, , made fantastic contributions to the Steelers down that is on the roster that is part of the Hall of Honor. Arthur J. Rooney Sr., Daniel M. Rooney, Andy through the years. It’s exciting. It’s a time to honor “To me, playing for the Steelers meant consis- Russell, , John Stallworth, Ernie people that made us what we are today.” tency, stability and a great tradition. I am honored Stautner, , , and Rod To be considered, a player must be retired at to be part of the Steelers history. When they talk Woodson. least three years and played a minimum of three about the players who played for a long period of “I was excited when I first heard I was a member seasons for the Steelers. Former coaches and con- time, I am honored to be among that group. And of the Hall of Honor,” said Shell. “I was ecstatic. Of tributors had to make significant contributions to to have played for only one team, for the Steelers all of the great players who have come to the the team and community. only, is special to me.” Steelers over the years and you are a part of it, that The inaugural class of the Hall of Honor includes The class includes, in alphabetical order: Jerome is something unique.

28 • STEELERS DIGEST “Everybody that is part of this class deserves to ball that was given to my grandfather during that cel- “It’s great when you wear that helmet and what be there. I think it’s a great gesture for guys who ebration,” said Rooney. “We felt this will be some- that signifies. Being in the Hall of Honor with other have come through the organization, for them to thing special to give to those we induct into the Hall guys who have done great things for the organization, honor them. It was a great idea.” of Honor, and carry on the Steelers tradition. We think it’s special, it’s unique. We have the commonality that The Hall of Honor is located in the FedEx Great it’s something that everyone will be happy with.” we all wore the same jersey and put the same helmet Hall at Heinz Field, and includes a tribute to each The entire concept of a Hall of Honor has those on. The appreciation is there. We all know we helped player in the form of a steel football, something individuals who are a part of it beyond happy with that process and that is what this is all about.” that was also presented to each player at a dinner because they are part of a unique Steelers fraterni- The group that comprises the Hall of Honor class the night before the Green Bay game. The football ty, a family. is made up of Hall of Famers, Super Bowl champi- is a replica of a steel football presented by the “That is what it’s all about,” said Bettis. “It’s ons, and some of the best to ever wear the black United States Steel Corporation and United Steel always been a family. It will always be a family and gold. Workers to Art Rooney Sr. to commemorate the atmosphere. That is because of the Rooney family Steelers’ 50th season in 1982. and the philosophy they had about each player is “We wanted to do something to replicate the foot- part of the family. See HALL OF HONOR, page 33

STEELERS DIGEST • 29 Hoak embodies Hall ideals

By BOB LABRIOLA | Editor

Of course, it will recognize the greats. As it Honor in the first place. He never will be discussed In 1961, the Steelers were entering the fifth of should. In the case of 23 of the members of the for induction in Canton, and he would be the first an eight-season period when Buddy Parker was inaugural class of the Hall of Honor, the doors in to tell you that’s as it should be. But his career with their head coach, and one of the characteristics of Canton, Ohio, already have been opened to them. the Steelers is what the Hall of Honor is supposed those seasons under him were that draft choices For others — both in this inaugural group and in to be about. were treated as nothing more than currency to use future groups — maybe being recognized by the Dick Hoak. in trades for grizzled, often over-the-hill veteran Steelers sparks a conversation that leads to a re- What began in the seventh round of the 1961 players. And so while a 5-foot-11, 195-pound run- examination of their credentials for one of those NFL draft ended on Jan. 2, 2007, and what came ning back from Penn State was a seventh-round bronze busts that represent the highest individual between those dates was 45 years of working in draft pick, he actually was the Steelers’ second pick honor their sport provides. various capacities for the Pittsburgh Steelers, which in that draft because Parker had traded away their But the Hall of Honor is for more than Joe also meant 45 years of loyalty to the Rooney selections in Rounds 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Greene and Chuck Noll and so many of the fran- Family. Born and raised in Jeannette, Pa., which is chise’s other all-time greats, and its purpose goes located on Route 30 between Pittsburgh and the PLAYING ON BAD TEAMS beyond shining a light on the contributions of Steelers’ training camp site on the campus of Saint The Steelers’ primary ball carrier of that era was those who have slipped through the cracks on the Vincent College in Latrobe, Hoak started as a star John Henry Johnson, a bruising 6-2, 210-pound road to Canton. In fact, there is an individual for Jeannette High School before traveling to State fullback who posted 1,000-yard seasons with the among this inaugural class who embodies the peo- College, where he became an All-America running Steelers in 1962 and 1964 and ended up enshrined ple for whom the Steelers created the Hall of back at Penn State. in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hoak was a half-

30 • STEELERS DIGEST back, and a tough guy, tough enough to account ning back. “At that time I was decent, I guess. But That was the same advice Hoak applied to for 5,417 yards from scrimmage and 33 touch- every year they kept trying to replace me. I would- everyone who ever walked into one of his position downs while playing on teams that finished a com- n’t play the first three or four games because I was meetings. From the guys with the Hall of Fame bined 46-88-6 and had offensive lines worthy of too small, too slow, but by the fourth or fifth game, resumes to the ones who were No. 10 draft picks that record. I was the guy playing. I just stuck with it and made from Idaho State, Hoak tried to nurture more than In 1968, the final season of Bill Austin’s tenure a career out of it.” he tried to mold. and the year before Chuck Noll was hired by Dan “I just tried to let them be themselves,” said Rooney to lead the franchise out of the wilderness, TRANSITIONING TO Hoak. “I’ve played for a number of coaches, espe- Hoak finished with 858 yards rushing (4.9 average), HIS LIFE’S WORK cially in my pro career. We changed coaches here a added another 253 receiving yards, and scored Hoak was one of the few players to survive Noll’s bunch of times when I was playing. I had different four touchdowns for a team that ended up with a purge in 1969, but by 1970 he could see that his (offensive) backfield coaches, and I saw things in 2-11-1 record. Hoak was voted to his only Pro Bowl. playing days were ending. After that 1970 season, some of them that I wouldn’t want to do as a “Back in 1968, the year I went to the Pro Bowl, Hoak took a job as a high school coach in coach. So I tried to not do those things. I tried to you had to go to the Steelers offices in the Wheeling, West Virginia, and then Noll offered him let the players be themselves. When you get a play- Roosevelt Hotel to pick up your check,” Hoak told the job of replacing Max Coley as the Steelers er in the pros, most of them know how to run or The New York Times before Super Bowl XL. “Near offensive backfield coach, which later would come they wouldn’t be here. So I’d teach them other the end of the season, I was told Mr. (Art) Rooney to be known as the running backs coach. But parts of the game.” wanted to see me. He handed me an envelope with regardless of the job’s description, its primary pur- can testify to that, and he still is a good bit of money in it. He said, ‘We’re having a pose in 1972 was to mentor the team’s No. 1 draft appreciative. bad year, but you’re having a good year.’ And after pick — Franco Harris — another running back from “He meant so much because he was a guy who the last game that season, Dan Rooney gave me Penn State. allowed me to flourish,” said Bettis, who spent 10 another envelope. Another good bit of money. When Harris ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run seasons in Hoak’s meeting room. “He created a They didn’t have to do that.” in a preseason game, the Steelers saw they had team atmosphere and environment for success. He With 3,965 rushing yards, Hoak still is seventh on something special. allowed us to run the way we wanted to run, how the Steelers’ all-time rushing list. He is fourth all- “Franco made my job very easy,” said Hoak. we saw it. He never tried to change our running time with 1,132 attempts, and ninth with 25 rushing “His rookie year was my first year coaching. Coach style. He never asked me to do more than I could touchdowns. Noll gave me some good advice after about a “I couldn’t have played today, I can tell you month with him. He said, ‘Dick, just don’t over- that,” Hoak said about his decade as an NFL run- coach him.’ So I just let him be himself.” See HOAK, page 32

Hoak spent 10 seasons as a running back for the Steelers, earning a Pro Bowl invitation in the 1968 season.

STEELERS DIGEST • 31 HOAK | FROM PAGE 31

do, but more importantly he always got me pre- pared every single game. And I’m so thankful for that, because I can honestly say I never walked into a game when I wasn’t prepared. “From him I learned about preparation and pro- tection. When I played with the Rams, I had a lot of success and it was running the ball, but what makes you a complete running back is not only running the ball but to understand protections, understand how you fit into the scheme of things. How you fit in the passing game. He educated me so much on that side. I initially thought that since I was a run- ning back, I get the ball, and I run it and make a play. I learned so much from him in terms of how the running back fits into the offense. He allowed me to see the game in a much different light.” And then toward the end of his coaching career there was the work Hoak did with an undrafted rookie from North Carolina, a guy who couldn’t get off the bench during his senior season even though his team was slogging through a one-win season. Dick Hoak remained loyal to the Steelers organization from Even though he was close to the end, Hoak just the time he joined the team as a player in 1961 until he announced his retirement in January of 2007, despite being wasn’t the kind of guy to mail it in, even when approached about several outside opportunities. working with a player who at the time seemed to be just another training camp body, a nobody from nowhere. “He taught me how to be a professional, and he taught me how to be a running back,” said Willie Parker, the nobody from nowhere who ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL that made; he was more interested in winning than he 12th grade. If I needed a doctor, a dentist, a roofer, helped provid his position coach with “one for the was in being right; and he was way more interested a new furnace, I knew who to call. That was impor- thumb.” in winning than he was in getting the credit. tant to me.” “I respect that guy a lot. I respect him as a per- As an NFL assistant coach, Hoak beat the sys- And so was his loyalty to Art Rooney Sr. and his son. He always pulled me aside and took the time tem, one that states, you’re hired to be fired. Hoak son, Dan. When the USFL was formed to compete to learn about me, and I never thought it would be was hired in 1972 by Chuck Noll, he was retained with the NFL, the rival league put a franchise in like that on the professional level. He used to pull when was hired to replace Noll in 1992, Pittsburgh to be owned by the DeBartolo family. me aside and talk to me. I remember the first time and he never was fired. Their choice to be the team’s head coach was Dick he did that, I thought, he must see something in “That was important to me,” said Hoak. Hoak, which would have been quite the coup. me. I told my father that the running backs coach When the Steelers were dominating the NFL “I was offered the job by the Pittsburgh Maulers pulled me aside and started chatting with me. We with four Super Bowl championships over a six-sea- twice, (but I turned it down) because of this organ- had a lot of conversations like that, where he’d pull son span of the 1970s, opportunities for coordina- ization, the Rooney family,” said Hoak. “They were me aside and we’d just talk. He really showed the tor jobs and the higher salary that came with such always good to me. In fact, I interviewed for the job way, and (him being inducted in the Hall of Honor) jobs were presented to him by Tampa Bay, in Ohio and came back and I called Coach Noll and is a great reward, a great honor because he has Philadelphia, and Indianapolis. I called Dan (Rooney) and said that I was offered been around that organization for a long time.” “But why go someplace else?” said Hoak. “The the job, but I just couldn’t see myself going across Rooneys always treated me very well. I couldn’t the street to a rival football league in Pittsburgh. ABOVE ALL, LOYAL leave Mr. Rooney. I couldn’t leave Pittsburgh. My There was no way I could have done that.” As a player, Dick Hoak never was as good as family is from Pittsburgh. My wife’s family is from And so it was that Dick Hoak stayed in the job he many of the guys he would come to coach, and as Pittsburgh. I was raised to do things for family.” loved with the team he loved, and he did it for 45 a coach he never ascended above the rank of work- And in 1984, he did something for his football years. ing with the running backs. That’s one way to paint family that made the greatest statement of all. “His contributions have been hard to put in Hoak’s 45 years with the Steelers, but here’s anoth- “Same house since I got into coaching in 1972,” words,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said on er: Hoak said about his home in Jeannette. “I had the January 2007 day when Hoak announced his Both as a player and an assistant coach, Dick offers. You all know that when Tony (Dungy) got the retirement. “The stability and the kind of person Hoak was an egoless part of the team, a man who job in Tampa, Tony offered me the coordinator’s that he has been has really been part of what has did his job quietly but still at 100 miles per hour. He job. That wasn’t important to me. My family was made our organization what it is over the years. was loyal to the point of forsaking his own advance- more important to me than that stuff. My kids all Dick, we appreciate everything.” ment to honor a commitment he believed he had went through the same school system, first through That’s what the Hall of Honor is about.

32 • STEELERS DIGEST HALL OF HONOR | FROM PAGE 29

“That’s what makes it special,” said Joe Greene. “I had that Maulers job,” said Hoak. “I said to selves from the other teams in the National “Being just the Steelers makes it special. In my lifetime myself, I can’t take that job and walk out on Mr. Football League. Being involved with the Rooney I have been blessed with getting recognized many Rooney — it was Art Sr. and Dan then. They had family, from a family standpoint, a community times. The opportunities have all been great, but this always been good to me. So I didn’t do it. When standpoint, they were always thinking about serv- is my team, the team that I belong with, and that is Tony Dungy got his job he wanted me to go with ing other people. I can’t even fully express how I what makes it special, that we are all getting recog- him. I couldn’t do it. The Steelers always treated feel about being a part of the Steelers’ family. It’s nized for something we helped build and sustain. We me well, treated my family well. It was a great more than I can even say.” did it together. This is the only collection of players place, a great environment. I saw some other The tradition of the Hall of Honor is something that we can truthfully say we did this together.” coaches leave, and they told me they were going that will continue through the years, and will con- It’s also individuals who took pride in being a to get this or that and think the grass was greener. tinue to honor those whose impact on the team will part of the Steelers’ legacy, who embraced what it They would call me and tell me, ‘Dick, you did the forever be remembered. meant to play, coach, and be a part of the Steelers right thing.’ ” “It’s special to me because I think we still have organization. Shell also spent his entire career with the players who are deserving of being in the Hall of Hoak spent 45 seasons with the Steelers as a Steelers, playing for the team for 14 seasons. And Fame,” said Swann. “They may or may never get player and a coach, and while he had opportunities he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. there. They are so important to the success of the to go elsewhere, including being offered the job as “Playing for the Steelers meant a great deal to Steelers and what we were, and what we have the coach of the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL, he me, not only as a football player but also as a per- become. To have a Hall of Honor that recognizes remained loyal to the Steelers, because they were son, a human being,” said Shell. “I think that is the guys that made the Pittsburgh Steelers a great loyal to him. where the Steelers organization separates them- organization and great team, that is special to me.”

STEELERS DIGEST • 33

STEELERS ROSTER (Listed numerically by position; as of Dec. 4)

FJ6GI:G768@H DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

NO. NAME HT. WT. EXP. COLLEGE NO. NAME HT. WT. EXP. COLLEGE 79 Javon Hargrave 6-2 305 2 South Carolina State 3 Landry Jones 6-4 225 5 Oklahoma 91 Stephon Tuitt 6-6 303 4 Notre Dame 5 Joshua Dobbs 6-3 216 R 93 Daniel McCullers 6-7 352 4 Tennessee 7 Ben Roethlisberger 6-5 240 14 Miami (Ohio) 94 Tyson Alualu 6-3 304 8 California 96 L.T. Walton 6-5 305 3 Central Michigan RUNNING BACKS 97 Cameron Heyward 6-5 295 7 Ohio State

26 Le’Veon Bell 6-1 225 5 Michigan State LINEBACKERS 30 James Conner 6-1 233 R Pittsburgh 44 Tyler Matakevich 6-1 235 2 Temple 33 Fitzgerald Toussaint 5-9 204 4 Michigan 48 Bud Dupree 6-4 269 3 Kentucky 45 Roosevelt Nix 5-11 248 3 Kent State 50 Ryan Shazier 6-1 230 4 Ohio State 54 L.J. Fort 6-0 232 3 Northern Iowa WIDE RECEIVERS 55 Arthur Moats 6-0 246 8 James Madison

10 Martavis Bryant 6-4 211 3 Clemson 56 Anthony Chickillo 6-3 255 3 Miami (Fla.) 11 Justin Hunter 6-4 203 5 Tennessee 90 T.J. Watt 6-4 252 R Wisconsin 92 James Harrison 6-0 242 15 Kent State 17 Eli Rogers 5-10 187 3 Louisville 98 Vince Williams 6-1 233 5 Florida State 19 JuJu Smith-Schuster 6-1 215 R USC 84 Antonio Brown 5-10 181 8 Central Michigan DEFENSIVE BACKS

88 Darrius Heyward-Bey 6-2 210 9 Maryland 21 Joe Haden 5-11 195 8 Florida 22 William Gay 5-10 187 11 Louisville TIGHT ENDS 23 Mike Mitchell 6-1 221 9 Ohio 24 Coty Sensabaugh 5-11 187 6 Clemson 81 Jesse James 6-7 261 3 Penn State 25 Artie Burns 6-0 197 2 Miami (Fla.) 85 Xavier Grimble 6-4 261 2 USC 27 J.J. Wilcox 6-0 212 5 Georgia Southern 89 Vance McDonald 6-4 267 5 Rice 28 Sean Davis 6-1 202 2 Maryland 29 Brian Allen 6-3 215 R Utah OFFENSIVE LINEMEN 31 Mike Hilton 5-9 184 1 Mississippi

53 Maurkice Pouncey 6-4 304 8 Florida SPECIALISTS 65 Jerald Hawkins 6-6 305 2 LSU 4 P Jordan Berry 6-5 195 3 Eastern Kentucky 66 David DeCastro 6-5 316 6 Stanford 9 K Chris Boswell 6-2 185 3 Rice 57 LS Kameron Canaday 6-4 245 1 Portland State 67 B.J. Finney 6-4 318 2 Kansas State 71 Matt Feiler 6-6 330 1 Bloomsburg (Pa.) INJURED RESERVE 73 Ramon Foster 6-5 328 9 Tennessee LB Keion Adams 6-2 245 R Western Michigan CB Antonio Crawford 5-10 184 R West Virginia 74 Chris Hubbard 6-4 295 4 UAB CB Greg Ducre 5-10 183 3 Washington 77 Marcus Gilbert 6-6 330 7 Florida C Mike Matthews 6-2 300 1 Texas A&M 78 Alejandro Villanueva 6-9 320 3 Army CB Cameron Sutton 5-11 188 R Tennessee

STEELERS DIGEST • 35

STEELERS STUFF By TERESA VARLEY

Heyward named AFC Brown and Martavis Bryant are all clicking, it’s diffi- cult to stop our passing game.” Defensive Player of the Week Both Swann and Stallworth see a ton of poten- Week after week Cameron Heyward has been a tial still to come out of Smith-Schuster, and have force for the Steelers defense, and that was certain- high expectations for him. ly the case in the Steelers’ 31-28 win against the “It’s a long road,” Swann said. “A couple of Green Bay Packers at Heinz Field. years ago when I was back here in Pittsburgh It didn’t go unnoticed by the NFL as he was Antonio said, ‘Let me rub your hands a little bit.’ I named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for said, ‘Antonio, you don’t need to rub my hands. his efforts. You only need to do one thing. Make people forget Heyward sacked Packers quarterback Brett about the other receivers who were here before Hundley twice, his fifth career multiple-sack game you. Climb that ladder and be as good as you can and his second consecutive game with two sacks. be.’ He is making that happen. JuJu is having the One of the sacks knocked Hundley for a 3-yard loss same opportunity.” in the third quarter, pushing Mason Crosby way out of his comfort range, resulting in a missed 57-yard Ward, Faneca field goal when the Packers were leading 21-14. are HOF semifinalists Instead, the Steelers took over and marched down Former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and the field to tie the game at 21-21. guard Alan Faneca are among the 27 semifinalists “Man, he is having a great season, he really is,” for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Coach Mike Tomlin said. “He is a difference- Ward is a semifinalist for the second straight year; maker.” Faneca was a finalist in 2016 and 2017. On the Packers’ next series Heyward got to JuJu gets some HOF love “You have to take it in stride and enjoy the Hundley for a 4-yard sack, forcing the Packers to Lynn Swann smiled sheepishly as he talked process,” said Faneca, who understands the punt. about JuJu Smith-Schuster, a player with whom process better after going through it before. Heyward finished the game with six tackles and the USC athletic director is very familiar. “There is nothing you can do except keep moving three quarterback hurries, and breathed down “It’s exciting to see a University of Southern along with what you are doing every day.” Hundley’s neck all night. California wide receiver come to Pittsburgh, be a Ward, who watched Jerome Bettis wait five “There are a lot of good football players in the player and have an impact,” said Swann. “It kind of years to be enshrined, also understands the NFL, but there are a lot of selfish players. Cam is reminds me of someone I know.” process. not like that,” assistant head coach/defensive line Swann, the Steelers Hall of Fame receiver, was “I have been through the process and watched coach John Mitchell said recently. “Cam wants to named USC’s AD in April 2016, so he got to see him go through it, waiting to get that phone call,” win. He doesn’t care if his number is called or not. first-hand what Smith-Schuster could do in his final said Ward. “I am going to sit back and wait.” What I like about him is when he encourages a season with the Trojans. And now Swann, one of Normally there are only 25 semifinalists, but player, or corrects a player, he is correcting himself. the best ever to play the game, is watching the because of a tie there are 27 this year. The semifi- I have heard him tell players, ‘This is what we have rookie have great success with the same team for nalists were narrowed down from a group of 108 to do, but I have to do it just as well as you have to which he played his entire NFL career. nominees, and will be narrowed to 15 modern-era do.’ That makes the player he is engaging with feel “He has brought his own brand,” Swann said. finalists in January. good because they know he isn’t just talking to “It’s a little bit of what we have seen from really tal- The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will hold them, but he is talking to himself too, saying, ented receivers in the past, his ability to make their annual meeting Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 in ‘Coach Mitchell wants me to do it better too.’ tough catches, get in the end zone. His ability to Minneapolis, Minn., the site of Super Bowl LII. The “He makes my job easier. He is special.” block reminds you of Hines Ward, seeing him finalists will go from 15 to 10, and then down to no Heyward led the Steelers through 11 games, blocking downfield. And making those catches more than five modern-era enshrinees. The Class of and was tied for fifth among AFC defenders, with a when he gets those opportunities.” 2018 will be announced during the “NFL Honors” career-high nine sacks, and with five regular season Swann isn’t the only one with a bust in Canton, show that evening. games remaining could become the first Steelers Ohio, who likes what he sees from Smith-Schuster. The 2018 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony player to record double-digit sacks since 2010 “I like the excitement he brings,” fellow Steelers will be held in Canton, Ohio, in August. when James Harrison (10.5) and LaMarr Woodley Hall of Famer John Stallworth said. “It seems to be The Steelers have been well represented in the (10) did so. contagious within the team, within Steelers Nation. Pro Football Hall of Fame the last few years, with This is the second time this season Heyward won It’s great to see. What he does, and the way he Jerome Bettis a member of the Class of 2015 and AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He pre- does it, is a new dimension to us. The tough catch, Kevin Greene a member of the Class of 2016. The viously won it for his performance in a 23-9 win the run with it afterwards, in tough situations, we Steelers currently have 24 individuals in the Pro against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. needed to have that. I think when he, Antonio Football Hall of Fame.

STEELERS DIGEST • 37 COMING UP

Sunday, Dec. 10 2017 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE BALTIMORE AT PITTSBURGH Sept. 10 at Cleveland W, 21-18 Sept. 17 Minnesota W, 27-9 Time: 8:30 p.m. Site: Heinz Field Sept. 24 at Chicago L, 17-23 (OT) Television: ESPN Oct. 1 at Baltimore W, 27-9 Series record: Steelers lead 26-21 (including Oct. 8 Jacksonville L, 9-30 playoffs) Oct. 15 at Kansas City W, 19-13 Last meeting: 2017 at Baltimore; Steelers 26, Ravens 9 Oct. 22 Cincinnati W, 29-14 Series trend: The Steelers have won the past Oct. 29 at Detroit W, 20-15 two meetings following a four-game winning Nov. 5 Bye week streak in the series by the Ravens. Nov. 12 at Indianapolis W, 20-17 Scouting report: The Ravens have dealt with a rash of injuries and a lack of consistency on Nov. 16 Tennessee (Thur.) W, 40-17 offense, but they found themselves holding the Nov. 26 Green Bay W, 31-28 last AFC playoff position after their Monday Dec. 4 at Cincinnati (Mon.) W, 23-20 night victory against the Houston Texans in Dec. 10 Baltimore 8:30 p.m.* Week 12. The defense preserved that victory with two late takeaways, including a sack and Dec. 17 New England 4:25 p.m.* forced fumble by Terrell Suggs. The veteran line- Dec. 25 at Houston (Mon.) 4:30 p.m. backer leads a defense that produced three Dec. 31 Cleveland 1 p.m.* shutouts in the first 11 games, including two in a Sunday, Dec. 17 *-Game subject to flex scheduling three-game stretch. Safety Eric Weddle led Baltimore in interceptions through Week 12 with NEW ENGLAND AT four. Running back Alex Collins has brought PITTSBURGH SNEAK PEEK some life to a Baltimore offense that hasn’t Time: 4:25 p.m. passed downfield very much. Site: Heinz Field Worth noting: The teams’ last seven regular Television: CBS season meetings in December were decided by Series record: Series tied 15-15 (including play- six points or less. offs) Last meeting: 2016 AFC Championship Game at New England; Patriots 36, Steelers 17 Series trend: New England has won the past four meetings, averaging 36.5 points in the process. Scouting report: The New England Patriots entered the season as defending Super Bowl champions and some suggesting they were tal- ented enough to run the table in 2017. That thought ended right away with a loss in the open- er against Kansas City and a leaky defense gave rise to the notion the Patriots might not enjoy their usual success. That also didn’t happen because Tom Brady has kept rolling along (he had 26 touchdown passes and only three inter- ceptions through Week 12) and Bill Belichick has MERRY CHRISTMAS — For the second consecutive found answers on defense. The Patriots didn’t year, the Steelers will be appearing on Christmas Day, allow more than 17 points during their seven- this time in Houston. The anticipated brother game winning streak through Week 12. matchup between Steelers rookie T.J. Watt and two- Worth noting: New England’s 17th consecutive time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt winning season has tied the San Francisco 49ers’ unfortunately won’t happen because J.J. is on IR. The record for longest streak during the Super Bowl game will feature two of the best wide receivers in era. the NFL, Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins.

38 • STEELERS DIGEST