Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Steelers.com is revisiting the memories of several key players from the Steeler’s history. The focus is on the Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XL teams as they celebrate their 50th and 20th anniversaries, respectively. Among those sharing their experiences is Hall of Famer John Stallworth, a member of the 1974 Steelers Draft Class.
John Stallworth recalls a vastly different draft experience compared to today. During his draft, media attention was minimal with no major network coverage. “It’s a whole lot different now,” Stallworth states. “You didn’t have all the hoopla then that goes along with it. There was no flying to a city to visit teams.”
Communication was sparse. Stallworth reveals he spoke to Bill Nunn, a Steelers scout, a handful of times but never the coaching staff. Learning of his selection depended on a shared phone in an Alabama A&M dormitory. Myron Cope, a former Steelers radio broadcaster, informed Stallworth of his selection in the fourth round. “I got a phone call from Myron Cope to tell me I had been drafted by the Steelers,” says Stallworth, who found the situation unique and comical.
Stallworth’s draft class included notable players like Lynn Swann, Mike Webster, and Jack Lambert, all Hall of Famers along with undrafted free agent Donnie Shell. Stallworth claims, “No question it’s the best draft class. And I’m not just saying that just for the heck of it.” He highlights the rarity of so many Hall of Famers emerging from the same class.
Despite being drafted with another receiver, Lynn Swann, Stallworth admits it made him nervous. “(Myron) told me the Steelers drafted a receiver in an earlier round. That caused a little pause for me,” Stallworth remembers. However, it ultimately resulted in a successful career.
He concludes, “If you look at our numbers, in the same place at the same time, that has to be pretty amazing.”
