Still Curtain
FanSided

30 greatest Pittsburgh Steelers of the 2000s

By Tommy Jaggi

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with defensive end Brett Keisel against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with defensive end Brett Keisel against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after losing to the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after losing to the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

23. Brett Keisel, DL (2002)

Brett Keisel may have only been the third-best defensive lineman for the Steelers for most of his career (likely behind Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton), but he is one of the most beloved members of the Steelers over the past twenty years.

Keisel was a former 7th round draft choice (pick 242 overall) who had to work his way up the ladder. He suffered an unfortunate setback in his second season – injuring his shoulder that would cost him his sophomore season in Pittsburgh.

For many, that would have been the end but not for Keisel. Remarkably Keisel had a combined zero NFL starts in his first four seasons, yet always found a way to hang around.

With the departure of Kimo von Oelhoffen after the 2005 season, Keisel finally got his chance to start in 2006. From there he didn’t look back.

Keisel started 114 games and played in 156 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished his career with over 400 tackles, 30.0 sacks, and 36 batted balls. Though he will forever be recognized by his unruly beard, fans will remember Keisel’s dedication to Pittsburgh – the place where he played his entire NFL career, from age 24 to 36.

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