The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
MICHAEL WILLIAMS FROM CINCINNATI, OH: I'm pretty sure that our Steelers have the most NFL Hall of Fame members. How many former Steelers are in the College Football Hall of Fame, and has a Heisman Trophy winner ever played for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
ANSWER: According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's website, the Chicago Bears have the most members enshrined, and the Green Bay Packers are second. Those are two of the oldest franchises in the history of the league.
To your questions, HB Johnny Lattner from Notre Dame won the Heisman Trophy in 1953, and he played for the Steelers in his only NFL season in 1954. As for the College Football Hall of Fame, there are 23 enshrinees who spent time with the Steelers. Some played significantly on the way to Super Bowl championships and being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while others were in Pittsburgh for what amounted to the NFL version of a cup of coffee.
The complete list of Steelers in the College Football Hall of Fame includes Joe Greene, Troy Polamalu, Rod Woodson, Jack Ham, Donnie Shell, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Terry Hanratty, Deon Figures, Terance Mathis, DeAngelo Williams, Gabe Rivera, Clendon Thomas, Thomas Everett, Bob Ferguson, Tyrone McGriff, Buddy Dial, Lou Michaels, George Webster, Bobby Layne, Bill Dudley, Jock Sutherland, and Mike Vick.
DAVE ROMERO FROM FORT WORTH, TX: How do players stay in shape until training camp? Do they use the Steelers facilities, and if so are those mandatory for all?
ANSWER: The Steelers facilities are available to any players living in the area or to those who have chosen to stay in the area until training camp opens at Saint Vincent College. According to the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, there is nothing mandatory for players from the end of mandatory minicamp until the opening of training camp.
STEPHEN SCHRADER FROM PORTLAND, OR: With the end of minicamp, what's on the agenda for the players from now until players report to training camp on July 24?
ANSWER: As I wrote in the above answer, there is nothing mandatory for the players during this time between the end of the offseason program until the start of training camp. Many of them have their own workout programs that they use to get themselves into shape for the mental and physical rigors of an NFL training camp. What's expected of them is that they arrive in Latrobe in good physical condition and they stay out of any kind of trouble until they do that.
KEITH CLARK FROM BROOKLYN NY: Maurkice Pouncey is eligible for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in 2026. As a 9-time Pro Bowl selection, do you think he'll be a first ballot Hall of Famer, or will he have to wait a few years?
ANSWER: I believe Maurkice Pouncey is worthy of being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but I also believe people should realize that there are only 8 centers enshrined whose careers began after World War II. Those 8 include Steelers Dermontti Dawson and Mike Webster, plus Dwight Stephenson, Frank Gatski, Jim Langer, Kevin Mawae, Jim Otto, and Jim Ringo. Clearly, centers are not afforded an easy path to Canton.
FABIAN KOBALD FROM INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA: I've waited since 2014 to finally see my first Steelers game, and that will happen this year in Dublin, Ireland. I'm so happy that I got tickets. Do you have any information if and when our Pittsburgh Steelers have training in Dublin where fans can watch?
ANSWER: In the NFL, regular season practices are not open to the public. But I hope the game between the Steelers and the Vikings lives up to your hopes.
JIM BARBER FROM HEATH, OH: Are the Steelers going to offer T.J. Watt a contract extension, or do you think they are going to let him walk?
ANSWER: The current negotiations between the Steelers and T.J. Watt would be for an extension because he is under contract to the team through the 2025 NFL season. Beyond that, here is an excerpt from a media session after a minicamp practice session on June 10 that could shed some light on the situation:
Q. Any comment on T.J. Watt's absence (from minicamp)?
MIKE TOMLIN: Certainly we'd like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are. We've expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well. So we'll continue to work. We've been here before.
Q. Is there concern about his future with the team?
MIKE TOMLIN: No.
Q. Did he give you advance notice that he wouldn't appear (for minicamp)?
MIKE TOMLIN: Whatever communication transpires between he and I will remain there.
STEVE FREEMAN FROM UNIVERSAL CITY, CA: Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. Just a couple of records most consider "unbreakable." I have another one for you. Big Ben throwing for 500 yards in a game 4 times. Drew Brees is next with 2 and a bunch have done it once. Could you please chronicle those 4 games for us?
ANSWER: When it comes to career 500-yard passing games, Tom Brady has 1 in the regular season and 1 in the playoffs; Drew Brees has 2 in the regular season, and Ben Roethlisberger has 3 in the regular season and 1 in the playoffs. Here's a rundown of Ben Roethlisberger's 4 500-yard passing games:
• Dec. 20, 2009, vs. Green Bay. In a 37-36 victory, Roethlisberger completed 29-of-46 (63 percent) for 503 yards, with 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a rating pf 121.9. Roethlisberger's 19-yard touchdown pass to WR Mike Wallace as time expired was what ended up winning the game for the Steelers.
• Oct. 24, 2014, vs. Indianapolis. In a 51-34 victory, Roethlisberger completed 40-of-49 (81.6 percent) for 522 yards, with 6 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a rating of 150.6. Antonio Brown caught 10 passes for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns; Heath Miller caught 7 passes for 122 yards and 1 touchdown; and Martavis Bryant caught 5 passes for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Dec. 10, 2017, vs Baltimore. In a 39-38 victory, Roethlisberger completed 44-of-66 (66.7 percent) for 506 yards, with 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a rating of 99.7. The Steelers scored 19 points in the fourth quarter in this comeback victory, with Roethlisberger engineering drives of 95 yards in 15 plays, 68 yards in 9 plays, 68 yards in 5 plays, and 55 yards in 10 plays.
• Jan. 10, 2021, vs. Cleveland. In a 48-48 loss in the Wild Card Round, Roethlisberger completed 47-of-68 (69.1 percent) for 501 yards, with 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a rating of 85.5. Three Steelers turnovers – a fumble recovered in the end zone plus 2 interceptions – helped the Browns jump out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter. The Steelers scored 5 touchdowns in the second half, but another interception in the fourth quarter set up a 37-yard field goal that provided the deciding points.
JOE ASHER FROM TAMPA, FL: Which Steelers team fielded the most future Hall of Fame players?
ANSWER: During the 8 NFL seasons starting with 1974 and continuing through 1981, the Steelers roster contained 10 Hall of Fame players – Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, and Donnie Shell. They were coached by another Hall of Famer – Chuck Noll.
JAMES SMASAL FROM FORT WORTH, TX: Any updates on Roman Wilson?
ANSWER: Roman Wilson was a regular participant in all phases of the Steelers offseason program, and in an interview with Dale Lolley that appeared in a 5 for Friday on Steelers.com, Wilson said, ""I don't want to think too much about last year, but I definitely learned a lot and it definitely helped to shape who I am this upcoming season. I just feel like I've taken care of my body to an elite level, I've been more locked in, and I feel like myself. I'm ready to come out here and practice hard."
