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Throwback Thursday: Steelers 1987 'strike' season recall

Originally posted on Steel City Underground | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 10:45 AM ET

Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series as we revisit these moments.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, like other teams in the National Football League, experienced some setbacks in 1987 due to the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) strike that saw it last from weeks four to six; week three was cancelled completely. Not everything was about fielding “strike breaker” players, though. In fact, the Steelers’ 1987 NFL Draft was one of the franchise’s best. We recall that season in Steelers history, good and bad.

The ’87 strike

In its 68th regular season, the NFL faced growing tensions between team owners, the league, and the NFLPA. Gene Upshaw, head of union, worked with union general counsel Dick Berthelsen, in filing a federal suit against the league for alleged breach of antitrust laws by the league.

Weeks 4 through 6 of the 1987 regular season were played by replacement players and a mix of players who crossed picket lines to play. Around 15 percent of NFLPA players did so. Several well-known NFL players were willing to stick it out and suit up despite hastily getting to know new teammates during the strike. By week 7, the strike ended but the season had already been truncated and messy.

Steelers draft class

It was business as usual at the 1987 NFL Draft. An anticipated strike wasn’t on the minds of teams or owners, at that time. The ’87 class is arguably the best of the 1980s and rates near the top of all Steelers draft classes.

The Steelers had interest in Purdue star Rod Woodson, but believed he’d be picked ahead of them. Defensive coordinator Tony Dungy was instructed not to do a scouting report by head coach Chuck Noll, even though the team was rebuilding their defensive backfield. Thanks to some trades by the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers, the board worked in Pittsburgh’s favor; the selected Woodson in the first round.

Luck continued to roll for the Steelers as they grabbed eventual Rookie of the Year Dalton Hall (another cornerback) in the second.

The team also selected Greg Lloyd, Thomas Everett, Hardy Nickerson, Merril Hoge, Charles Lockett, Tim Johnson, Theo Young, Chris Kelley, Charles Buchanan, Joey Clinkscales, and Paul Oswald. Though he went undrafted, the Steelers snagged Dwight Stone for a contract.

The season

As strange as 1987 was, as a season in the NFL – the Steelers franchise’s 55th season in the league – the team finished with an 8-7 record. Unfortunately, Noll was at the helm of a team that failed to reach the postseason for a third straight season.

The replacement roster during the strike was a far cry from the official roster. Steve Bono stuck it out at quarterback all season, but his backups during the strike were Kevin Brown and Reggie Collier instead of Bubby Brister and Neil O’Donnell. Rodney Carter was lead tailback in place of Walter Abercrombie. And, there was no Woodson, Hall, Everett, Donnie Shell or Dwayne Woodruff in the defensive backfield.

The Steelers also saw a rare side of Coach Noll that season. A hard, stoic man, Noll could be tough on his players but rarely has been remembered for losing his temper.

Pittsburgh faced the Houston Oilers and Jerry Glanville twice that season. Glanville had allegedly stated that the Oilers’ stadium was the “house of pain” – predicting that his players would intentionally injure Steelers players. After the second game wrapped up (both meetings were losses for Pittsburgh), it was reported that Noll grabbed Glanville during the postgame handshake and inferred Glanville had better watch himself or he’d pay for it.

Unfortunately, Art “The Chief” Rooney would never see his beloved Steelers in another playoffs. On August 25, 1988, Rooney died of complications from a stroke at the age of 87.

Noll saw the Steelers post records of 5-11 (1988), 9-7 (1989), 9-7 (1990), and 7-9 (1991) before retiring after that season. The Steelers had fallen from their dynasty status.

This article first appeared on Steel City Underground and was syndicated with permission.

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