Who are the 15 strongest players in Steelers history?

The Steelers signed a free agent linebacker in 2002 who was ‘otherworldly’

When you think of the Steelers defense, the first thought that comes to mind, at least for me, is the Steel Curtain.  Each player was individually gifted but collectively they were exceptional.  What’s interesting to me was the fact that almost all, if not all, of the pressure was applied by the front four.

It was rare if a linebacker got a sack.  Not that it did not happen, but it was rare.  In 1982, the Steelers switched from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 base defense.  Not only did that represent a paradigm shift in the defensive alignment, but it represented a paradigm shift in how we applied pressure.

We now needed linebackers who could rush the passer and set the edge.  In 2002, we signed James Harrison, who would not become a full-time starter until 2007 but would become the Steelers All-Time sack leader.  In 2008, Harrison racked up sixteen sacks en route to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award and authoring perhaps the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history.

One thing that was evident about Harrison was his physique.  Over the years, Harrison’s feats of strength became nothing short of legendary.  All you need to do is search ‘James Harrison strength’ in your search engine of choice and will see unbelievable lifts.

It was not uncommon to see Harrison bench 405 pounds for repetitions, incredibly heavy hip thrusts sled pushes and ancillary movements that frankly the casual lifter could never hope to accomplish. I was very upset that Harrison did not play his entire fifteen-year career with us, but that’s how it goes in today’s NFL.

Let’s see who tops our list as the strongest player in Steelers history.