PITTSBURGH — As the Steelers begin their 85th season, the franchise is recognizing the best of the best with selection to the team's new Hall of Honor.
The inaugural class was announced on Tuesday morning at Heinz Field by Steelers president Art Rooney II and three other members of the Hall of Honor Selection Committee.
The first class includes 27 former players and coaches, in addition to Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr., and late Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.
Twenty-three of the 27 honorees are also members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cornerback Mel Blount, who was on hand for the announcement, calls the selection "special."
This year's Hall of Honor class will be officially inducted the final weekend in November and will be recognized at halftime of the Steelers-Packers game, which will be televised on Channel 11.
The Hall of Honor will be permanently showcased in the Great Hall at Heinz Field.
The following 27 players, coaches and contributors were named inductees:
- Jerome Bettis*
- Mel Blount*
- Terry Bradshaw*
- Jack Butler*
- Dermontti Dawson*
- Bill Dudley*
- Joe Greene*
- Kevin Greene*
- L.C. Greenwood
- Jack Ham*
- Franco Harris*
- Dick Hoak
- John Henry Johnson*
- Walt Keisling*
- Jack Lambert*
- Bobby Layne*
- John McNally*
- Chuck Noll*
- Arthur J. Rooney, Sr.*
- Daniel M. Rooney*
- Andy Russell
- Donnie Shell
- John Stallworth*
- Ernie Stautner*
- Lynn Swann*
- Mike Webster*
- Rod Woodson*
*Denotes member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The #Steelers inaugural Hall of Honor announcement is complete. Inductee Mel Blount on stage #WPXI pic.twitter.com/QCUqxqvTWt
— Alby Oxenreiter (@albyox) August 29, 2017
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The inaugural class was announced during an event at the PNC Champions Club at Heinz Field. Their formal induction will take place during the Steelers’ Alumni Weekend, Nov. 25-26, and they will be introduced during halftime of the Steelers-Packers game that Sunday.
During the induction, the inaugural class will be presented with a steel football that is a replica of one presented to Art Rooney Sr. by the U.S. Steel Corporation at the team’s 50th Season celebration.
#Steelers Hall of Honor inductees will receive a steel ball similar to the 1 given to Art Rooney Sr by US Steel to commemorate 50th season pic.twitter.com/SzFQjnuR20
— Alby Oxenreiter (@albyox) August 29, 2017
The Hall of Honor was established to recognize those who played an integral role in the Steelers franchise’s success.
To be considered, a player must be retired at least three years and have played a minimum of three seasons with the Steelers. Former coaches and contributors had to make significant contributions to the team and community.
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