The Steelers have had some 'fan favorite' players on defense whose numbers are still being worn
When Mel Blount retired after the 1983 season, we would only have to wait four years before another future Hall of Fame would be drafted. Rod Woodson, who wore number twenty-six (26), was selected in the first round of the 1987 draft.
Woodson played the first ten seasons of his Hall of Fame career with us, being selected to seven Pro Bowls and being named All-Pro five times during his time as a Steelers. Woodson was the cornerback that we needed at that time in that he was a 'shut-down' corner and was a legitimate threat as a punt and kick returner.
Woodson was also an incredible athlete as evidenced by the fact that for the last five years of his career, he played safety and was named to one Pro Bowl as a safety. Woodson played seventeen seasons and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is unfortunate that he did not play his entire career for us, but that's how the cookie crumbles, as it were.
A player who did play his entire career with us was Donnie Shell, who wore number thirty-one (31). Shell joined us in 1974 as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State. Not only did Shell play fourteen seasons for us, but he made that legendary 1974 team as a free agent. That's impressive.
What's also impressive is the fact that Shell had at least one interception in each of those fourteen seasons. What I remember most about Shell was the ferocity with which he tackled an opponent. Shell was a four-time Super Bowl champ, a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and a recent Hall of Fame inductee.
Let's see who else on the defensive side of the ball should have their numbers unofficially retired.