The five most memorable Steelers players to wear jersey number 33
Bam Morris- RB 1994-1995
Our Number three play on this list quickly became a star in Pittsburgh when he made his debut in 1994. Then helped propel the Steelers to their first Superbowl appearance in 16 years. It’s hard to say how far or how good he could have been. However, money and fame allow some players to self destruct. Which ultimately happened to Bam, which oddly affected the Steelers in a way they could not imagine.
Bam had an impressive college resume. He played at Texas Tech and rushed for 1752 yards in his Junior season. Thus earned the Doak Walker award and caught the attention of the Steelers. They had a decent big bulky running back who had just rushed for 1690 yards in 1992, Barry Foster. Like many running backs, though, he sustained injuries in 1993, which forced the Steelers to look for a replacement if Barry did not fully recover.
The Steelers then drafted Bam in the third round (91st pick) of the 1994 draft. Bam stood 6’0 and weighed 244, much bigger than Foster. The Steelers fans enjoyed that smash-mouth running game with a large bruising running back. Rushing for 836 yards his rookie season, he split rushing duties with Foster, who still rushed for 851 yards.
It appeared Morris would have a successful career in Pittsburgh. Well almost. He arrived in training camp overweight and out of shape. His play diminished to the point Coach Cowher split running duties with the free-agent Eric Peagram. Nonetheless, Bam still rushed for nine touchdowns as they made it to Superbowl XXX and came within three points of beating Dallas.
Though a heartbreak for Morris, that did not stop him from living to excess. He wanted to retire a Steeler, at least. Then Fifty-four days after the Superbowl loss, police in Texas arrested Morris after they pulled him over for swerving. He had five pounds of Marijuana and one gram of cocaine. He managed to reach a plea bargain getting him six years probation. Unfortunately, his legal problems ended his career with the Steelers.
On Draft Day, the Steelers traded draft picks and acquired a Bus, Jerome Bettis that is. Who eventually led the Steelers to a championship in Superbowl XL. Three months later, the Steelers released Morris. While he got signed by the Ravens, his career deteriorated and got entangled in more legal trouble for drug possession and retired from Pro Football in 1999. For two years, he thrilled fans by bowling over linebackers as if they were dolls, and when he scored, many fans may have chanted “Bam, Bam”