Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 best running backs in franchise history
By Randy Gurzi
RB. (2004-09). Willie Parker. 4. player. 55.
Greatest running backs in Pittsburgh Steelers history: #4. Willie Parker
From undrafted free agent to third all time in Pittsburgh history in rushing yards, Willie Parker had himself quite the career. The North Carolina product joined the team in 2004 and showed off a great burst as a reserve behind Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley. By his second season, Parker was stealing the show in the Pittsburgh backfield.
Bettis handled the goal-line duties, but Parker was the primary back, as he started 15 games that season. The second-year pro was able to rack up 1,202 yards and four touchdowns for the 11-5 franchise that went on to win Super Bowl XL. During that postseason, Parker put up 225 yards and a touchdown, as well as another 81 yards and a score catching the ball out of the backfield.
He continued to be the lead back the next three seasons, with his best campaign coming in 2006. That year, ‘Fast Willie’ earned his first of two Pro Bowls by putting up a career-high in every statistical category. He ended up with 1,494 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns on the ground and another three scores and 222 yards off 31 receptions.
Parker again made the Pro Bowl in 2007 but started to decline some in 2008. Although he finished with less than 1,000 yards that season, Parker was still integral to them again making it to the Super Bowl, as he had 70 rushing attempts and two touchdowns while Pittsburgh won their sixth Lombardi Trophy.
In all, he played six seasons with the Steelers and is behind only Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis for rushing yards in team history with 5,378.