The Pittsburgh Steelers are an NFL success story, but fans of the team have seen these players get the best of their club on numerous occasions.
The word “hater” is incredibly overused these days in many aspects. However, sports are full of rivalries and fans of every team who take it a bit personal when an opposing player gets the best of their club.
In the case of the Pittsburgh Steelers, no team has won more games since the NFL merger in 1970. The club was the first to capture six Super Bowl trophies, since tied by the New England Patriots.
That doesn’t mean that a few performers from other franchises have not had their way against the Black and Gold, in more ways than one.
Opposing players Steelers fans will always hate
3. OLB/DE Terrell Suggs
Terrell Suggs actually joined the Baltimore Ravens one year before the Pittsburgh Steelers made quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. The relentless defender has enjoyed plenty of meetings with both Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin’s Steelers. He’s racked up his share of big moments vs. “Big Ben” (see Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun) and the Steelers’ offense overall.
In 30 regular-season encounters with the rivals from the Steel City, Suggs amassed 15 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. In the 2008 AFC title game, he corralled Roethlisberger twice in a 23-14 loss.
Two years later in a 31-24 loss at Pittsburgh in the divisional round, he finished with six tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. There were six tackles and an interception of Roethlisberger when the Ravens beat the Steelers, 30-17, in the 2014 AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
It’s safe to say that the 17-year pro left a lasting impression on the Black and Gold.
Opposing players Steelers fans will always hate
2. S George Atkinson
It was one of the most intense rivalries in NFL annals, and much was on the line when these clubs played.
The then-Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers squared off in the playoffs from 1972-76. It remains the only series in league history in which franchises have met in the postseason five consecutive years. It all began with Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoffs. The clubs met in three consecutive AFC title games, with the winner going on to capture a Super Bowl title each time.
Both clubs had their share of standout players and their calling card was physical play. In the case of Raiders’ safety George Atkinson, he seemed to take a particular interest in Pittsburgh wide receiver Lynn Swann. A brutal blow from behind knocked the Hall of Fame wideout out of the 1975 AFC Championship Game at since-demolished Three Rivers Stadium.
A year later at Oakland, the Raiders stunned the Steelers with a late fourth-quarter rally for a 31-28 victory in both team’s season opener. In that contest, Atkinson once again knocked Swann out of the game with a similar hit. Pittsburgh head coach Chuck Noll used the words “criminal element” when describing Atkinson and the rivalry would spill off the field and into the courtroom. Different times indeed.
Opposing players Steelers fans will always hate
1. QB Tom Brady
It’s somewhat ironic that the last time the Pittsburgh Steelers squared off against a team led by this seven-time Super Bowl champion, the club came out on top. That was this past season in Week 6, when Mike Tomlin’s reeling club pulled off a 20-18 surprise victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home.
Of course, that’s little solace for the fans of the Black and Gold. Including the postseason, Tom Brady faced the Steelers 15 times while he was the quarterback of the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick’s squad forged a 12-3 record in those games. Brady threw for a combined 4,440 yards and 34 touchdowns in those contests while serving up only five interceptions.
From 2007-19, the legendary signal-caller faced current Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin and his defensive units. The Pats won eight of those games, with Brady throwing for 3,191 yards. He came up with 27 scores through the air and was picked off only twice in those 10 outings.
All told, Brady and the Patriots would defeat the Steelers in three AFC Championship Games and in each instance, Belichick’s club would go on to win the Super Bowl. The first two instances came in Pittsburgh (2001 and 2004) and the last in 2016.
While Pittsburgh had the last laugh when it came to Brady this past October, their lack of success against the now-retired talented student of the game was certainly a cause for angst.