The best Steelers player ever to wear each jersey number still in circulation

Jersey #55 Joey Porter Sr.

This Jersey could have also gone a few different ways, but make no doubt #55 is Joey Porter’s number. Not junior but Senior. Porter was another legendary linebacker who would hurt you if he could and had that icy stare that chilled you to the bone. He was never one to back down, even as a coach.

Porter was one of those linebackers cut from the mold of the linebackers from the ‘70s and had the mouth to go with it. This is why we are all anxious to see his son play to find out if he’s a chip off the old block. Aside from his 60 sacks and twelve interceptions, Porter did get one ring in 2005.   

Jersey #56 Robin Cole

If anyone can lay claim to this jersey, it would have to be Robin Cole. Hy played 11 of 12 years with the Steelers, and Steelers drafted him in 1977. He is another one of those underrated linebackers that had a great career and was a great player.

Jersey # 57 Sam Davis/Mike Merriweather

Perhaps his stats were not the best, but still, he had five interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, and 26 sacks. He played on two Superbowl teams but then on some bad Steelers teams from 1982-1987. If you're old enough to remember watching him play, he was still fun to watch.

Another generational jersey depending on when you grew up. For those of you that remember the ‘70s dynasty, The number belonged to guard Sam Davis, who played 13 seasons. He was one of the pivotal linemen who helped clear running lanes for Franco and Rocky and helped them win four titles in the ‘70s.  

If you’re not old enough to remember Sam Davis well, it was also worn by Mike Merriweather, another great linebacker from the ‘80s. He played in three pro bowls and had 11 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries, and 31 sacks (with a team record 15 in one season standing until 2008). He just had the bad luck of being a great linebacker playing for some poor Steelers teams in the ‘80s. Plus, he had to fill the shoes of Jack Ham, who had retired the year he was drafted.