The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its Modern Era nominees for the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were well represented.
Of the 128 nominees, eight played for the Steelers during their NFL careers. Those eight were kicker Gary Anderson, guard David DeCastro, linebackers James Farrior and James Harrison, defensive back Carnell Lake, center Maurkice Pouncey, defensive back Allen Rossum and receiver Hines Ward.
Anderson’s career spanned 23 seasons from 1982 to 2004, the first 13 of which were spent with Pittsburgh. Nicknamed “Mr. Automatic,” the South African placekicker made three of his four career Pro Bowl appearances with the Steelers, where he’s the franchise leader in points scored (1,343).
DeCastro spent his entire nine-year career with Pittsburgh from 2012 to 2020. The steady right guard made six straight Pro Bowls from 2015 to 2020, earning a pair of First Team All-Pro selections as well.
Farrior spent the final 10 seasons of his 15-year career with the Steelers from 2002 to 2011, helping them win a pair of Super Bowls. The two-time Pro Bowler was also the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up in 2004 to Ed Reed.
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Harrison spent 14 of his 15 NFL seasons with Pittsburgh from 2002 to 2012 and 2014 to 2017. He won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was a dominant player during a five-year stretch from 2007 to 2011. He made five straight Pro Bowls, earned two First Team All-Pro selections and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
Lake spent the first 10 seasons of his 12-year NFL career with Pittsburgh from 1989 to 1998. One of the best defensive players of the 1990s, he had four of his five Pro Bowl selections with the Steelers from 1994 to 1997, earning First Team All-Pro honors in 1997.
Pouncey spent his entire 10-year career with Pittsburgh from 2010 to 2020, making the Pro Bowl in nine of those seasons. One of the best centers of the 2010s, he earned two First Team All-Pro selections and three Second Team All-Pro selections.
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Ward played his entire 14-year career with the Steelers from 1998 to 2011, helping them win two Super Bowls. The four-time Pro Bowler was Super Bowl MVP in 2006 against the Seattle Seahawks after torching them for 123 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Rossum only played one season for Pittsburgh in 2007. He spent 12 years in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl in 2004 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Time will tell if any of these players are enshrined in Canton next year, but getting nominated is already an honor.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images