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10 best players who were originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers

By Ryan Pawloski

PITTSBURGH, PA - CIRCA 1979: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 and wide receiver Lynn Swann #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on from the sideline during a National Football League game at Three Rivers Stadium circa 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - CIRCA 1979: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 and wide receiver Lynn Swann #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on from the sideline during a National Football League game at Three Rivers Stadium circa 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is introduced prior to the game (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is introduced prior to the game (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Troy Polamalu became a figure that has become an icon for the franchise

Troy Polamalu, otherwise known as the “Flying Hawaiian”, was the best safety to play for the Steelers. That is an argumentative statement that will be debated till the end of time. There was no player better, perhaps in league history, that could make the kind of athletic and instinctive plays that he did.

Pittsburgh drafted him in 2003 with the 16th pick in the draft. The club had to trade up to get a chance at selecting this young safety coming out of USC. They were successful in their efforts and were able to pick him. The rest, as they say, is history.

Being on some of the better defenses in the last couple of decades helps someone’s career out. Polamalu was on some of those great defensive units during the 2000s. The thing that made him stand out was his ability to do everything well. He was able to stand out from the crowd of talented teammates.

This safety got many different accolades in his career, and it was well deserved. Those successes allowed him to wind up in the halls of Canton. There his long legendary locks of hair will always be stuck in bronze for fans to see. A nearly perfect career for an even better person that so happened to also be very good at football.

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