75th Anniversary Team

It was a weekend of fun for all-time team
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
By Teresa VarleySteel

He had only been in the door for a minute when Jerome Bettis was approached for an autograph. It was one he didn’t mine signing at all, and was honored to do so.

After all, when John Stallworth asks for your autograph, you know it’s something special.

And for the members of the Steelers 75th Season All-Time Team, Monday night was very special as it capped a weekend of fun for them.

There was plenty of reminiscing, sharing stories of the good old days with former teammates. In one corner Greg Lloyd, Dermontti Dawson, Carnell Lake and Bettis were catching up. Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White gathered for a photo. Terry Bradshaw worked the room like only he can.

“To get back and talk about how good we were is fun,” said Stallworth. “The stories do get better. The relationship and bond will always be strong. We are catching up on grandkids – it’s not just the kids anymore.”
Dawson laughed as he listened to Bettis and Lloyd ribbing each other just like they did in the locker room in the few years they played together.
“It’s like a mini-reunion,” said Dawson. “For the guys I played with I have that special bond. It’s like we haven’t even been away. Once you are friends you are friends for life. We have a special bond. It’s great to see these guys and reminisce about old times.”
Players joked about who would fare better if the offense went against the defense.
“I think offense because we have the younger guys,” said Dawson. “I have to be biased on that one.”
Some disagreed.
“I don’t think they can run as fast anymore,” said Lloyd. ”We can back up just as fast. You look at this team and you see the offensive and defensive lineup, who wouldn’t want to play on a team like that. You take this team and on paper stack them up against anybody and it’s not even close.”
It was a team that was built on the vote of Steelers fans. And that was something that didn’t go unappreciated by the players, especially when they heard the cheers of the fans as they took the field at halftime.
“This is very exciting,” said Lynn Swann. “For all of the guys who ever have been able to win a championship that’s huge. To go into the Hall of Fame, that’s huge. But there is nothing like being appreciated by the fans in your hometown, where you live, where your children are growing up and going to school.”
Woodson, who was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team as an active player in 1994, knows how special this honor is.
“When the fans vote you in, it says that you played well enough and long enough to be one of the best,” said Woodson. “Out of 75 years you were one of the best. That’s pretty good and it’s heartfelt as a player. There are only 33 guys on this team. There have been a lot of great players coming through this organization so to say that, it’s special.”