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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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GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 16: Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field following a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 16: Ryan Shazier #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field following a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

12. Ryan Shazier, LB (2014)

I know Shazier started just 41 games in a Steelers uniform, but if he doesn’t deserve to be on this list I’m not sure who does.

Shazier was just 25 years old when a spinal cord injury ended his season (and in all likelihood, his career). However, there weren’t many players in the league that could turn the tides like Shazier.

Shazier had a violent and physical play style. He sacrificed his body for the team every chance he got. Though it would end up being his downfall, Shazier played with an energy that couldn’t be matched.

This led to Shazier being banged up in each of his four NFL seasons, and he never played more than 13 games in a single year. However, Shazier did things that other linebackers could only dream about doing for their teams.

His high energy and physical play style gave the Steelers defense a chance in every game they played in. Shazier earned 6 interceptions over his last two partial seasons playing for the Steelers and was awarded back-to-back Pro Bowl honors in 2016 and 2017.

Shazier’s performance against the Bengals was the best I had ever seen from a linebacker, and Pro Football Focus handed out nearly a perfect grade, the best they have ever recorded at the position.

Shazier will be missed for many reasons, but his relentless effort was what made him one of the all-time greats. He sold his body for his teammates and the game he loves, and he deserves his name high on the list of my ‘Top 30 Steelers of the 2000s.’

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