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| (Photo obtained from profootballhof.com) |
The Steelers are already heading into one of their most important games of the season. After breaking a three-game losing streak against the Denver Broncos, the Steelers will host a Russell Wilson-less Seattle Seahawks team. Geno Smith will start for the Seahawks at quarterback, making it a very winnable game.
The Steelers hope to continue on the winning path despite losing Juju Smith Schuster to a season-ending injury. Steeler fans also look to see if Najee Harris’ 100-yard rushing game was the start of a trend or just a fluke. The game is being nationally televised as the primetime Sunday Night Football game on NBC.
Some words from me. Thank you everyone for the love and support! pic.twitter.com/kCmhyKSXVy
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) October 13, 2021
To grow the hype even further surrounding this game, the
Steelers have planned a special halftime ceremony. Coach Bill Cowher, safety Troy Polamalu,
offensive lineman Alan Faneca, and safety Donnie Shell will receive their Hall
of Fame rings at Heinz Field. Hall of
Fame President David Baker, who has become more recognizable as of late for his
giant stature himself, will be in attendance.
It will be interesting to see Polamalu on the field after
reported ill feelings toward the organization at the end of his Steelers career.
However, in a passionate Hall of Fame speech earlier this year, Polamalu
expressed his love for Steeler fans. Polamalu played 12 seasons with the Steelers
and had 32 interceptions and 12 sacks from the safety position. He is regarded as one of the best, if not the
best, safeties of all-time.
If you've ever been blessed to have any connection in your life with the city of Pittsburgh, you have no chance -- none -- to get through this with a dry eye.
— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) August 8, 2021
Troy Polamalu's full, brilliant enshrinement speech is here. There'll never be another like him:pic.twitter.com/qANhiDjmWf
Bill Cowher has moved on from coaching to assume a prominent
role with CBS on their pregame analysis show each Sunday. While many hoped he would return to football
by now, he looks pretty comfortable in an analyst role and doesn’t look too
eager to get back to coaching. Cowher had a career record of 149-90-1 as head coach of the Steelers and led the team to two Super Bowls. The Steelers beat the Seahawks in 2005 for his one championship.
Alan Faneca played under Cowher for most of his career and was a First-Team All Pro
six times and was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times. He was a member of the 2005-06 and 2008-09 Super
Bowl Teams. Offensive Guards are
typically largely underrated, as most offensive lineman are, but everyone in
Pittsburgh knew of Faneca and how important he was for those Steeler teams he
played on.
Donnie Shell was a member of the famous Steel Curtain
defense in the 1970’s. He is a four-time
Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowler, and was selected as a first-team
All-Pro three times. When Shell retired,
he was the career leader in interceptions with 51. He was also selected to the Steelers All-Time
team after starting 11 straight seasons in Pittsburgh.