LATROBE, Pa. -- Saturday afternoon at Saint Vincent College was a day where stories were told, historic moments were remembered and special players -- along with one coach -- were honored.
Art Rooney II, Bob Labriola and Bob Pompeani sat on the stage inside the Fred Rogers Media Center and announced that Jason Gildon, Dick LeBeau, Casey Hampton and Willie Parker would be inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor as the Class of 2024.
After the ceremony, Rooney recognized each new member of the Hall of Honor, which was something he started back in 2017:
"It's just a great group of Steelers. Coach LeBeau, unusual, I would say, for an assistant coach to go in. I'm not sure how many times that will happen, but he's just a remarkable person and just so loved by his players. Jason, setting the sack record and then stepping in at a time when we didn't know what we were getting in him. For him to come in and set the sack record, was great to see. Then, of course, Casey Hampton was so popular with his teammates and was the rock in the center of that line, I know a lot of people will be excited to see Casey going in. Then, of course, Willie, the Super Bowl record is great but just a great career, and a solid performer. To see someone come in undrafted like that and have that kind of success, it's exciting to see him going into the Hall of Honor now."
To be inducted into the Steelers' Hall of Honor, former players must be retired for at least three seasons, must have played in Pittsburgh for a minimum of three seasons and must possess noteworthy career highlights, records and achievements. Coaches or contributors must have made significant contributions to the team and the community.
The history of these three players and LeBeau tell the story. There's no need to expand on their stats or their successes in the black and gold. But the stories behind their times in Pittsburgh are a special part of why they are joining this group.
LeBeau brought his own defensive identity to Pittsburgh and out of the multiple stories I heard Saturday afternoon, I thought Mike Tomlin put it best.
"Man, we don't have enough time to talk about what makes Dick LeBeau special," Tomlin said.
But he wasn't done.
"He's a special coach, he's a special strategist, he's a special leader, he's a special communicator."
Anything else?
"He's thoughtful, he's good with people. The list goes on and on, man, obviously he's deserving of the honor."
When inductees are selected for the Hall of Honor, Rooney calls them personally to deliver the news and he's had a few funny conversations in the past. Rooney recalled when James Harrison told him "Na, I don't want to go in," as one of the most memorable calls.
Rooney said when he called LeBeau they started discussing the book that LeBeau just finished, but then Rooney switched up the conversation on him and delivered the news.
"He was a little taken aback and he was with his wife at the time, but they were excited to hear about it," Rooney said.
When Gildon received the call, he said he didn't know what to expect. Rooney's secretary called Gildon and told him that Rooney wanted to speak with him.
Gildon didn't have any clue what was coming next. But, when he learned, Gildon said that he was "at a loss for words" and that it was a "really heavy" moment for him because of the special group of players that he is joining.
"To actually think about being honored with the greats of a great organization, it's very humbling," Gildon said. "It's one of those things that you really can't wrap your head around at the time. But, I know the names and I think everyone knows the names and yea, I've thought about it."
Gildon was part of a special fraternity of outside linebackers that have come through the organization and consistently produce. He held the organization's sack record when he retired in 2003, but that's obviously since been surpassed.
However, playing the position places him in special company and while Tomlin didn't coach Gildon, he knows the impact those types of players have, especially in this organization.
"Outside linebacker in Pittsburgh -- it’s what makes Pittsburgh ‘Blitzburgh.’ It’s generational," Tomlin said. "Young and new outside linebackers on this team understand the men that come before them and the standards that have been set. And this is a unique fraternity. It’s a beautiful thing to have guys like Jason Gildon come out here."
Hampton and Parker also left lasting impacts on different sides of the ball. Hampton was at the center of stout defenses and Parker had lighting-fast speed and a unique underdog story. They were both special in their own way. Just like every other inductee.
Parker, the undrafted running back who was scouted by Dan Rooney in Carolina, first caught Art's eye during a Latrobe scrimmage and remembers asking "Who's that guy?"
"Of course, my brother, Dan, was quick to tell me who he was, and so from that point on, we started to notice him," Art said. "He wound up making the team and making history."
Hampton's ability to eat up the center of an offensive line was unmatched. It earned him the nickname "Big Snack" and helped the Steelers capture two separate Super Bowls during his career. When thinking back on Hampton's career, Art was asked about LeBeau having Hampton drop back in coverage and remembers being confused by it at times.
Then, there were the other times.
"Of course, I think Casey had -- I don’t know if it was an interception or a fumble that fell into his lap one game -- was funny to see," Art said. "But, Casey is just a fun guy to be around, really popular with his teammates, and I know they’re all going to be excited to see him going in this year."
The four new members of the Hall of Honor will be honored on Saturday, Dec. 7, the same week that the Steelers host the Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Each inductee will receive a replica of a solid steel football that was given to Arthur J. Rooney Sr. by the United States Steel Corporation and United Steel Workers in 1982 to celebrate the team's 50th season.
