PERSONAL INFORMATION
CAREER HISTORY
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Craig Wolfley came to the Steelers as a fifth-round pick in the 1980 NFL Draft out of Syracuse, the 138th overall pick in in that draft class.
When he retired, he was one of the most respected and revered at the position, a player who was a natural at left guard but could slide over to left tackle when needed.
He played the game with a no-nonsense approach, making 102 starts in his 10 seasons with the team.
After playing the majority of his career at guard, he started at left tackle in 1988 due to the retirement of Ray Pinney, and rookie John Jackson not ready to step into the role.
Wolfley's strength on the offensive line was just that … his strength. He placed fifth in the World's Strongest Man Competition in 1981. He was also a boxer and a black belt in jiu jitsu and lost a four-round fight vs. heavyweight Eric 'Butterbean' Esch.
"I remember our first encounter in camp was a fight," said Edmund Nelson, a defensive tackle who came to the Steelers as a seventh-round pick from Auburn in the 1982 NFL Draft. "He was the first guy that I went up against in the Oklahoma drills Chuck Noll used to have. Me and him went at it the first day that the veterans reported up to camp. He body-slammed me on the first play, and then I body-slammed him on the second play. Then we just went at it.
"Craig and I told this story all the time, that by the time the end of practice came, we were so tired and so beat, we grabbed each other and helped each other up the hill to the locker room. That was Craig Wolfley in a nutshell. We would go at each other in camp, and then we were buddies at the end of the day."
Wolfley also served as a mentor for younger players, helping the next generation of Steelers to achieve the success he had.
While he made a name for himself on the field during his playing days, his contribution to the organization didn't stop there.
Wolfley spent 23 seasons as a broadcaster and writer, including completing the manuscript for his memoir, "If These Walls Could Talk," shortly before he died of liver cancer in 2025.
Wolfley joined the Steelers Radio Network in 2002 as a sideline reporter, before moving to the booth as a color analyst in 2021 following the death of his best friend and former teammate, Tunch Ilkin. Wolfley and Ilkin combined their efforts not just on the playing field during their time, but also in a daily talk show, 'In the Locker Room,' that aired on the Steelers digital and radio channels.
"Just the energy and the passion that he brought to life," said former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch. "Not just from a Steelers perspective, but he genuinely cared about people. The older I got in my playing career, knowing that I wanted to transition into that media side, he would give me tips and little things that he may have done that helped him get to that transition point."
At the time of his passing in 2025, Steelers President Art Rooney II said the following about Wolfley.
"Craig was an outstanding player who brought both toughness and heart to the field during his 10 seasons with the Steelers," said Rooney. "As an offensive lineman, his grit and dedication were essential to our success, contributing to the solid foundation of the Steelers' offensive line in the 1980s and 1990s. His work ethic and commitment to excellence were felt both in the locker room and on the field, and his leadership was always evident.
"Following his retirement from playing, Craig seamlessly transitioned into a broadcaster, providing insightful commentary and analysis as part of the Steelers Radio Network. His passionate voice and deep understanding of the game made him a trusted figure for Steelers fans, and his humor, warmth, and enthusiasm left a lasting impact on our community."