Joe Greene and Jack Ham, two legendary figures in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers, were both recognized for their outstanding contributions to the team. Greene, a defensive tackle selected in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft, was instrumental in transforming the Steelers from a struggling franchise into a dominant force. Despite initial disappointment at being drafted by a losing team, Greene’s influence helped change the team’s culture and performance.
“It was almost crushing,” said Greene about his draft experience. “They had the fourth pick and that means you lose a lot of ball games. My first year was terrible. We were 1-13. Every Tuesday we had four or five new guys come in for tryouts.”
Greene’s leadership on the field as part of the Steel Curtain defense led to four Super Bowl victories for Pittsburgh. His accolades include being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice and earning Pro Bowl selections ten times.
Similarly, linebacker Jack Ham made significant contributions after being drafted in 1971. Known for his consistency and durability, Ham played his entire career with the Steelers, missing only four games in his first decade. He retired with an impressive record of takeaways and was honored with numerous All-Pro selections.
Ham was elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Steelers Hall of Honor, cementing his legacy alongside Greene as key figures in Pittsburgh’s storied football history.
