Report: Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Legend Dead At 82

Standout linebacker Andy Russell, who was a huge part of the team’s evolution from losers to champions, has passed away at the age of 82. Russell’s death was confirmed by the team on Saturday with no immediate word on the cause or place of death. The star linebacker was drafted in 1963 and won two Super Bowls for Pittsburgh before having his career interrupted by a two-year stint in the military.

Andy Russell’s Successful Career

Russell spent 10 years as a team captain and made the Pro Bowl seven times in his career. He was named the Most Valuable Player by all of his teammates in 1971, even with a roster that included other legends like Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Ham, and Terry Bradshaw. Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement on the star linebacker showing just how much the team valued him as a player and a person.

Andy was a part of the foundation of the great Steelers teams of the 1970s. He was one of the few players kept by coach Chuck Noll on the team after he became our head coach in 1969. Andy was the team captain and his leadership was a critical part of Coach Noll’s development of the 1970s Steelers, which paved the way to four Super Bowl Championships.

Pave The Path To Glory

Before Noll became the head coach in Pittsburgh, Russell was one of the very few bright spots on the team that finished in the bottom half of the league year in and year out until 1969. When coach Noll came into Pittsburgh, he made it clear that he would replace anyone on the team who could not amount to any success. Here is what Russell had to say about his former head coach:

(Noll) said: ‘You’re good people. You’re going to be good citizens. Unfortunately, you can’t run fast enough or jump high enough, and I’m going to have to replace most of you.’ “

These comments by Noll did not apply to Russell, who quickly became one of the cornerstones of the Steelers’ defense. While he will be remembered for his success on the field, he will also be remembered for his leadership and great personality off of the field as well. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Russell family during this hard time.