Which Steelers jerseys should be permanently retired?

#52 Mike Webster

When anyone mentions the position of center, two names come to mind, Jim Otto and Mike Webster. Jim Otto started and played in 210 consecutive games, never missing one. Webster played a total of 17 seasons and played every game until 1986, missing four. He played in 245 games in his entire career. Centers come and go, and the Steelers have had a string of great ones.

In the age of player safety, you will never see another center match Webster’s longevity. Nor will there be another center as strong and as good of a blocker. When Webster finally retired, they took his jersey out of circulation and have not used it for 32 seasons. When you see number 52, one thinks of Webster and no one else. It’s like number 58 in that sense. There is no doubt, in this case, there is no debate. Pittburgh should retire his number.

#63 Dermontti Dawson

Drafted in 1988, he was Mike Webster’s eventual replacement. He had some big shoes to fill. Starting in 1989 he played in 160 consecutive games. A rarity at the center position, and the Steelers had two centers that did not miss a game in 22 combined seasons. The only thing missing from Dawson’s resume is he does not have a championship ring. He retired in 2000, four years before the Steelers drafted Ben Roethlisberger. Despite how good Dawson was, he still, to a degree, lives in Webster’s shadow a bit.  Had the Steelers won a championship when he played, perhaps that would be different.

There is no discussion Pittsburgh needs to retire Webster’s number. There will never be a center like him though Dawson came close.  It’s harder to justify retiring Dawson’s. However, there is one case to make in favor of retiring number 63 too. Ernie Holmes wore number 63 from 1972-1977. He was one of the founding linemen in the initial steel curtain with Joe Greene, Dwight White, and L.C. Greenwood. Holmes was very talented however found himself in Chuck Noll’s doghouse and finally was cut. So he does not get the notoriety of his teammates. So in that sense, retiring number 63 could honor both players.