It didn't take long for the Steelers to learn they had made a wise No. 1 pick in the 1984 NFL Draft when they selected Louis Lipps of Southern Mississippi. In the opener that year, Lipps torched a veteran Kansas City secondary and he finished the 1984 season with 45 catches for 860 yards (19.1 average), he led the NFL with 656 punt return yards, and he scored 11 total touchdowns. Lipps was voted to both the AFC All-Pro team and Pro Bowl team that year as the kick returner. During a four-season span from 1988-91, Lipps led the team in receiving three times (1989, 1990, 1991) and tied for the lead with Merril Hoge in 1988. Going into the 2021 season, Lipps ranks fifth in franchise history with 358 receptions, fifth in receiving yards with 6,018, fifth in 100-yard receiving games with 16, and seventh in receiving touchdowns with 39. Also, he is fifth in franchise history with 107 career punt returns, fifth in punt returns yards with 1,212, and tied for third with Ray Mathews in punt return touchdowns with three. Lipps earned two trips to the Pro Bowl, was voted the Steelers MVP by his teammates twice, and was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1984.
