There are 39 Steelers spending their first preseasons with the team, getting their first in-game action in a black-and-gold NFL jersey. For many, coming here to begin or continue their pro careers means suiting up in a number that longtime, diehard Steelers fans have become attached to — or, in a lot of cases, have attached to a certain former player.
New wide receivers Donte Moncrief (No. 11) and Diontae Johnson (No. 18) aren’t preceded by anyone particularly notable, and plenty of famous Steelers digits — 12, 32, 43, 75, among others — are no longer given out in honor of the legends who donned them. But there remain some that get passed around to rookies and free agents when they sign with the franchise, so we spoke with a smattering of those first-year Steelers about the numbers they inherited and are sporting “in stadiums,” as Mike Tomlin would say.
Rookie linebacker Devin Bush, No. 55, is well aware that former linebacker Joey Porter was a fan favorite in his playing days: “I’ve heard he was probably one of the best people to be around,” Bush said. “Obviously, an intense player, impactful player, and he definitely left a legacy here. I’m here to match it.”
Rookie cornerback Justin Layne, No. 31, didn’t know of former safety Donnie Shell, a staple of the fearsome secondary that backed up the Steel Curtain (though he still hasn’t gotten the Hall of Fame nod): “No, I don’t,” Layne said with a laugh. “But I’ll google it for sure now.”
Veteran free-agent linebacker Mark Barron, No. 26, knows that Le’Veon Bell wore it recently and Rod Woodson did so decades ago. Barron sounds confident that anyone who watches the Steelers shouldn’t have much trouble separating him — and his dreadlocks — from his number. “Nah, man, me and Le’Veon look nothing alike,” said Barron, who’s been using a defensive back jersey since entering the league as a safety. “We wear the same number, but we don’t really look alike. Not even Rod. Rod didn't have no hair hanging out the back of his helmet.”
Undrafted rookie guard Garrett Brumfield, No. 68, couldn't remember that another 1970s Steelers Hall of Fame snub in L.C. Greenwood came before him. “Somebody told me,” Brumfield said with a sigh. “Somebody told me, but I forget the significance of it. But I have been told.”
Former CFL star Diontae Spencer, hoping to make the roster as a wide receiver and return man, wears the No. 82 made memorable by John Stallworth. But in more recent Steelers history, it went to Antwaan Randle El, another undersized guy who was fantastic on special teams. “I definitely used to watch him,” said Spencer, who was 10 when the Steelers drafted Randle El. “He was one of those shifty guys, also — similar type of games — and made plays. Man, I’m just happy to be here.”
Another undrafted guy, rookie outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper, had no clue about James Farrior’s history in No. 51 — but he also admitted he was a latecomer to football. “Not at all,” Skipper said, and was then reminded that Farrior was an inside linebacker who helped the Steelers win their two most recent championships. “OK, OK, I’ve heard about him. I hope I win a couple Super Bowls with that number here, then.”
Offseason free-agent addition Steven Nelson is in a situation where he not only plays the same position as a notable No. 22, but former cornerback William Gay is now on staff with the Steelers as a coaching intern. “I’m a fan of William Gay, man,” Nelson said. “I watch a lot of DBs throughout the league. … I heard they called him, what, ‘Big Play Will Gay’ or something like that? Or Willie Gay? I know I’ve got a lot of things to live up to, man.”
Undrafted rookie safety P.J. Locke was given No. 24, and said he’s “real familiar with the name” of Ike Taylor, but that he couldn’t recall many specifics other than knowing he was a good player for the Steelers. For Locke, he’s more concerned about making the team and getting away from No. 24, because fourth-round pick Benny Snell also has it, on offense. “I didn't even realize Snell had the number until I came walking outside [for practice] and people were calling me Snell,” Locke said with a grin. “I was like, ‘What?’ I had my helmet on, they said, ‘Snell!’ then I take it off and they’re like, ‘Oh, OK. Why are there two No. 24s?’ … I might have to change my number. You know, drafted guys get first serve.”
If Locke can make the squad, he’ll likely have to beat out fellow post-draft signee and safety Dravon Askew-Henry, No. 41. Given that that Askew-Henry is from Aliquippa and grew up watching the Steelers, is there any chance he’s familiar with hard-hitting safety Lethon “Lee” Flowers? “Lee Flowers?” Askew-Henry, born the same year Flowers was drafted, asked with a shake of his head. “That’s before my time. But I'm going to have to search him now.”
And lastly, there’s the potential cult hero quarterback from the south, bringing a catchy nickname from a Division I-AA school and lining up under center with a No. 6 on his chest. Believe it or not, fourth-stringer Devlin “Duck” Hodges has already gotten Bubby Brister talk. “I’ve seen and heard some fans kind of mention his name,” Hodges said, smiling. “Honestly, personally, I don't know a whole lot about him. Six is a new number for me, it’s the first time I’ve ever had it, but yeah, it’s just a number. I’ve always been one of those guys that the player makes the number, so, hopefully I can make that number, for this year, good.”
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko. Join us Aug. 27 at Tequila Cowboy for our Punt, Pass & Chat event looking ahead to the 2019 season.
First Published: August 16, 2019, 4:45 p.m.
