Say What? Top Ten Steelers Quotes of all Time

In the light of all these off-season “top ten” lists surfacing, I thought I’d try out one of my own. Throughout the years, some of the most memorable moments for me have been when I’ve read about, or heard first hand the things that players have to say about their team and the NFL. Sometimes these statements are ridiculous and outlandish, other times they are inspiring and beautiful.

I’ve scoured the net for the best quotes I could find that have to do with our Steelers, and included some of the favorites that I’ve heard via folklore and other mediums.

#10: Vince Lombardi’s Comment on Chuck Noll

"“Chuck Noll is building one hell of a football team up in Pittsburgh.” – Vince Lombardi"

I love this quote. It sits at #10 simply because it was said by a non-Steelers player/coach. What make it so cool is that people were taking notice of Noll’s prowess as a team-builder using the draft. Where the Dallas Cowboys were using a computer built specifically for them by Texas Instruments (the same people that made your calculator in Middle School) to choose their players in the draft, Art Rooney Jr. and Chuck Noll were working tirelessly along with other staff scouting and recruiting players for the Steelers. Among those draft classes were some of the Steelers most prolific players and Hall of Famers. Lombardi said this two full years before the Steelers were ever even considered a threat in the NFL, which makes it that much more impressive and interesting.

#9: Mike Tomlin

"“Hungry is a word that I’ve been analyzing here of late. It’s not hunger that drives me, it’s not hunger that needs to drive our football team. Hunger and thirst are things that can be quenched. We have to be a driven group, we have to seek greatness.” – Mike Tomlin “We don’t live in our fears, we live in our hopes” – Mike Tomlin “The Standard is the Standard” – Mike Tomlin"

Mike Tomlin is a quote machine. He loves anecdotes and he loves little turns of phrase that sometimes players on the team don’t really “get” at first. Tomlin is well-read and studies the art of war. He often refers to “the battle field” and the responsibilities of being a football player and coach in the NFL. I find the way he talks to be thoughtful and mature, despite his young age in comparison to other NFL coaches. I’ve heard many Steeler fans talk about all of the Tomlin “bull shit” in post game press conferences and media days, but I’ve found that he never speaks before he thinks, and I find that rather refreshing.

#8: Big Ben’s Promise to Jerome Bettis

"“Just give me one more year, I’ll get you that trophy” – Ben Roethlisberger"

After a very promising rookie season with the Steelers, leading the team to a 15-1 record and to the AFC Championship game, the Steelers lost to the eventual SB Champion New England Patriots. As you may recall, Steelers players, including Joey Porter, mentioned feeling like the Patriots knew everything they were going to do before they did it. Not soon after, evidence surfaced that the Patriots had been filming other teams during their practices, memorizing signals and plays to use to their advantage. “Spygate” ensued. Roethlisberger never flinched. Though I’m not sure how accurate this story is, word on the street is that Ben said the previous statement to Jerome after the 2004 season, knowing that The Bus had been considering retirement. Sure enough, Bettis stayed, and the Steelers brought home their 5th Lombardi trophy beating the Seattle Seahawks in Jerome’s hometown of Detroit, MI the very next year. Bettis went on to retire with a ring and a Hall of Fame caliber career.

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