The Steelers family lost a number of players and others closely associated with the team. Here is a list of those players:
Sidney Thornton (September 2, 1954 – January 29, 2023)
“I didn’t understand how fortunate I was to be a part of a situation and organization like the one in Pittsburgh. People play so many years without ever getting to a Super Bowl and I got to two.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/sydney-thornton-steelers-running-back-1977-1982/
Marv Kellum (June 23, 1952 – February 4, 2023)
“It’s humbling. You don’t realize how lucky you are. I was talking to former Steeler Craig Bingham – I’d do it all again for free to make it to the Super Bowl.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/marv-kellum-steelers-linebacker-1974-1976/
Paul Martha (June 22, 1942 – February 4, 2023)
Jerry Simmons: “Paul Martha was moved to defensive back from wide receiver. That was a tough move – especially for a former first round pick. Some guys would be upset, but not him. He helped me with the position and the ropes of the NFL. He was a class young man.”
Marv Woodson (September 19, 1941 – February 11, 2023
“They wanted us to talk about football – when you talk about anything else it makes you too controversial.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/exclusive-with-former-steelers-cornerback-marv-woodson-1964-1969/
Doug Fisher (March 10, 1947 – February 12, 2023)
Art Rooney Jr. described his career as “much less successful” than players such as Jon Kolb, L. C. Greenwood, and Joe Greene, “but not insignificant.” He was a lifelong football fan and watched every Super Bowl until his death. Doug Fisher died on the evening of February 12, 2023, at age 75, shortly after watching Super Bowl LVII.
Cam Jacobs (March 10, 1962 – February 18, 2023)
Known most notably as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike, Jacobs was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1985 NFL Draft.
Dick Haley, former Steelers CB and Director of Player Personnel (October 2, 1937 – March 10, 2023)
“Don’t tell me how fast or big a player is, just tell me how good he is.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/dick-haley-steelers-cornerback-director-of-player-personnel-1971-1990/
Pittsburgh legendary broadcaster Stan Savran (February 25, 1947 – June 11, 2023)
“You guys are the reason I keep at it, trying to give you the best I’ve got every time I go on the air, no matter where it is.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/stansavran/
Charley Scales (January 11, 1938 – June 18, 2023)
“I had a good career, but starting in Pittsburgh helped me a lot. You had to be willing to hit someone in Pittsburgh – that’s where it all started.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/exclusive-with-former-steelers-running-back-charley-scales-1960-1961/
Clark Haggans (January 10, 1977 – June 18, 2023)
“The coolest though was that the first dude I saw when the confetti fell was Joey. We would wig out when we won the Holiday Bowl at Colorado State – that was the greatest thing to us then.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/exclusive-with-former-steelers-linebacker-clark-haggans-2000-20007/
Elton Veals (March 26, 1961 – August 4, 2023)
“I told them I wanted to quit. They tried to talk me into staying – told me to take whatever time I needed. It was a long conversation. But I stuck with it and went back to Louisiana. My family needed me there..”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/exclusive-with-former-steelers-running-back-elton-veals-1984/
Carl Crennel (September 14, 1948 – August 19, 2023)
After an invitation to the Hula Bowl and winning the John Russell Award given to the team’s most outstanding defensive lineman, Crennel was a ninth-round choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970 draft.
Patrick Rooney Sr. (March 7, 1939 – November 1, 2023)
Mr. Rooney began his pari-mutuel career, starting as assistant racing secretary at Brandywine Raceway in Wilmington, Del., and serving in the same capacity at Liberty Bell racetrack in Philadelphia. From 1964-69, Mr. Rooney was general manager at Liberty Bell.
Devon Wylie (September 2, 1988 – November 11, 2023)
Wylie was a star at Granite Bay High School in California and played at Fresno State from 2007-11, with 56 receptions in 13 games in his senior season.
