Who are the 15 strongest players in Steelers history?

The Steeles drafted an outside linebacker out of Colorado State who was strong and athletic

When you think of great Steelers linebackers, the obvious names come to mind, as well as they should.  We are a team that is known for having strength on both sides of the ball.  We are also a team that is known for having some of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game.

One name that may not come to mind initially is Joey Porter, who was drafted in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft out of Colorado State.  Listed at 6′ 3″ and 248 lbs., Porter was solid both in his play and in his physique.  If you saw him play, you know what I am talking about.

I was surprised, pleasantly, of course, to find out that Porter bench-pressed 225 pounds for twenty-seven reps at the NFL combine.  Keep in mind that the combine was not quite the media circus it is today, so I really never knew how many reps he did.

What I do remember pretty vividly is this:  During the 2006 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge, there was a segment called the Strongest Man Competition.  Like the NFL combine, contestants had to bench press 225 pounds for as many reps as they could. Porter muscled out thirty-five reps and beat some heavier contestants in the process.

Porter played eight seasons for the Steelers, amassing sixty sacks, and earning three Pro Bowl nods, one All-Pro nod, and was a one-time Super Bowl champ.  One of Porter’s best seasons ironically came in 2005, the year we won Super Bowl XL.

I think it is unfortunate that Porter was not able to play his entire career with the Steelers because, for me, he is one the best to ever play for the Black and Gold.

Let’s see who comes in at number eleven on our list.