Pittsburgh Steelers

In the Steelers’ first 39 years (1933-71), they only had 7 winning seasons, and won their division only once (1947). 

 

In 1966 they finished with a 5-8-1 record, which although was an improvement over 1965’s 2-12 record, they quickly regressed, posting records of 4-9-1, 2-11-1, and 1-13 over the next 3 years, before finally turning it around in 1970 (Terry Bradshaw’s first season). From 1972 to 1979, they made the playoffs every season, including 4 Super Bowl wins. 

 

Because of the dark green nameplate, it’s hard to read the names on these cards. There are four running backs included, but no linemen or linebackers. 

 

I’ve had the Clarence Peaks card since the late-1960s, and got all the rest in the past 3 months. 

 

Bill Nelsen was the Steelers’ 10th-round pick in 1963. He played for Pittsburgh from 1963-67, but only started more than 5 games once (12 in 1965). He was the Browns’ starting QB from 1968-71, and a backup in 1972. 

 

Dick Hoak went to high school in the Pittsburgh area, then played at Penn State. He was the Steelers’ 7th pick in 1961, and played for them his entire career (1961-70). He was their starting halfback in ’63, ’65, ’66, '68, and ’69. He started no games in 1970, having been replaced by the newly-acquired Preston Pearson. 

 

*Jim “Cannonball” Butler was drafted by the Steelers in the 14th round in 1965. After 3 seasons on the bench, he played for the Falcons from 1968-71, starting almost every game from 1969-71 and making the Pro Bowl in 1969. He also played for the Cardinals in 1972. 

 

*Mike Lind was drafted by the 49ers in 1963, and played 2 seasons with them, followed by 2 seasons with the Steelers. He started 9 games at fullback in both ‘64 and ‘65. 

 

Clarence Peaks was the Eagles’ 1st-round pick in 1957. He was their starting fullback for most of 1957-63, although he missed 7 games in 1960. He finished his career with the Steelers in ’64 and ’65.

 

Roy Jefferson – Picked in the 2nd round in 1965, Jefferson was one of the few bright spots for this team until Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw showed up at the end of the decade. A backup in his rookie season, he was the Steelers’ starting flanker from 1966 to 1969, making the Pro Bowl in his last 2 years and leading the NFL with 1074 receiving yards in 1968. 

 

After a 1-year stay in Baltimore (including winning Super Bowl V), he was a starter for the Redskins from 1971-76. 

 

Gary Ballman – The Steelers’ 8th pick in 1962, Ballman was a starting wideout from 1964 to 1966. Just before the 1967 season he was traded to the Eagles. He was their starting split end for 2 seasons, then moved to tight end in 1969 upon the acquisition of Harold Jackson. After 6 seasons in Philly, he played his final season (1972) with the Giants and Vikings.  

 

Mike Clark – After kicking for the Eagles in 1963, Clark spent the next 4 seasons with the Steelers, including a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1966. He also kicked for the Cowboys from 1968 to 1971, and a few games in 1973. 

 

*Clendon Thomas was the Rams’ 2nd-round pick in 1958. After 3 seasons as a backup defensive back, he was their starting free safety in 1961. He also had 17 receptions as a flanker in 1960. Clendon was a starting safety for the Steelers from 1963 to 1968, and made the Pro Bowl in 1963. From 1964-65, he also collected 42 receptions while playing split end.

 

*Jim Bradshaw – Drafted by the Steelers in 1963, Bradshaw was a starting safety from 1964-67. 

 

*Frank Lambert was the Steelers’ punter in 1965 and 1966. He punted 78 times each season, leading the NFL in 1965. 

 

Hall of Famers - 0

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023

 

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