2011 Celebrities
* List current as of 4.26.11 and is subject to change based on athlete availability. Check back often for updates!
John Banaszak: Three-time Super Bowl Champion, this defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers played during the 1975-1981 seasons.
Bobby Bell – Hall of Fame 1983 – While at the University of Minnesota Bell was a member of the 1960 National Championship team, played twice in the Rose Bowl, and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In the NFL Bell joined the Kansas City Chiefs where he was awarded six-time AFL All-Star selection, five-time First-team All-AFL selection, NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team, three-time NFL Pro-Bowl selection, and numerous additional honors.
Craig Bingham: Native of Kingston, Jamaica, Bingham attended Syracuse University. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he continued with the team as a linebacker from 1982-1987.
Rocky Bleier: A Notre Dame University alum and Wisconsin native, Bleier was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968. After leaving to fight in the Vietnam War, Bleier returned to play for the Steelers from 1971-1980.
Mel Blount: Hall of Fame 1989—Blount attended Southern University in Georgia. The six-time All Pro defensive back played for the Steelers from 1970-1983.
Phil Bourque: Known as “the ol’ two-niner,” this left wing of the Pittsburgh Penguins was a member of the Stanley Cup Teams in ’91 & ’92. He continued his career with the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators.
Robin Cole: Cole was a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers from the University of New Mexico. Playing for the Steelers from 1977-1987, Cole finished his career with the New York Jets in 1988.
Wayne Cook: Cook is a highly renowned motivational speaker and athlete. His presentations range from focusing on helping students to be successful in their chosen field of study- academic or athletic- to creating environments for achievements and success in the corporate world.
Isaac Curtis: After attending the University of California at Berkley and San Diego State, Curtis became a first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. He played his entire 12-year career with the Bengals from 1973-1984.
Glen Edwards: Beginning at Florida A&M University, this defensive back became an undrafted free agent for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. He continued playing football with the Steelers from 1971-1977. From 1978-1981, Edwards finished his football career with the San Diego Chargers.
Neil Graff: Following his time at the University of Wisconsin, Graff played with the Minnesota Vikings. He stayed with the team from 1972-1973, but moved on to the New England Patriots from 1974-1976. The quarterback closed his football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gordon Gravelle: The Pittsburgh Steelers second-round drafted this Brigham Young tackle in 1972. His career also included playing time with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. At the conclusion of his career Gravelle walked away with two Super Bowl rings.
Randy Grossman: Grossman began his successful career as a three year starter at tight end for Temple University. Senior year at Temple he was named AP All-American third-team. His talent got him drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he proceeded to earn four Super Bowl rings while he was with the team from 1974-1981.
Jack Ham: The outside linebacker was a second-round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971 where he continued to play until 1982. The Penn State alum was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Bill Hillgrove: This Pittsburgh native currently does the lead play-by-play broadcasting not only for the Pittsburgh Steelers radio broadcasting network, but additionally the Pittsburgh Panther football and basketball teams.
Dick Hoak: A distinguished running back for the Nittany Lions, upon graduation Hoak went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout his career from 1961 to 1970, he was selected to appear at the Pro Bowl in 1968. Hoak remained with the Steelers as a member of their coaching staff, and upon retirement in 2007 he had been with the organization for 45 years.
Merril Hoge: Hoge was a running back and four-year starter for Idaho State. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1987, he played in the Steel City for seven seasons until joining the Chicago Bears in 1994. Currently he is an analyst for a variety of NFL programs on television and ESPN Radio.
Bill Hurley: At Syracuse Hurley was named two-time team MVP during his playing time of 1975-79. He was the fourth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. Remaining in the NFL for four seasons, the safety also played with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.
Todd Kalis: The offensive lineman began his career with the Minnesota Vikings from 1988-1993. He continued his career with the Steelers in 1994. Kalis, an Arizona State University alum, retired with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995.
Marv Kellum: Hailing from Topeka, KS, the future linebacker was a student at Wichita State University. As a free agent, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974 and stayed through the 1976 season. He then moved to the St. Louis Cardinals for the 1977 season, where Kellum concluded his football career.
William Lanier – Hall of Fame 1986 – Eight-time Pro Bowl and eight-time All-Pro selection are some of the honors Lanier earned during his career. Beginning at Morgan State, this middle linebacker was a second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs where he played from 1967-1977. Lanier’s decorated career also includes Pro Bowl MVP (’71) and NFL Man of the Year (’72).
Louis Lipps: Lipps was a first-round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1984. The wide receiver made two Pro Bowl appearances and was named NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1984. The New Orleans native returned home to play with the Saints in 1993 for one season, and retired as a Steeler in 1994.
Tom Mack: Hall of Fame 1999 – Mack played offensive guard at the University of Michigan. Noticed for his talent, in 1966 he was the second overall draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams. He stayed with the Rams until ’78. With the Rams he had 11 Pro Bowl selections, four First and four Second Team All-Pro selections, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in ’99.
Michael Merriweather: A third-round pick in 1982 to the Steelers, the University of the Pacific player enjoyed a successful NFL career. He was selected for the Pro Bowl three consecutive years and additionally was named All-Pro three times. After playing with the Steelers he joined the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers.
Edmund Nelson: After attending Auburn University, the lineman became the seventh-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nelson played with the Steelers from 1982-1987 and moved on to the New England Patriots in 1988.
Bob Pompeani: Hailing from Western PA, Pompeani attended Point Park University. He went on to become a sports anchor for KDKA-TV News. Throughout his career in broadcast journalism, he has earned three Golden Quill Awards, a Mid-Atlantic Emmy, an AP Award, and has been regionally and nationally acclaimed for his work.
Myron Pottios: After attending the University of Notre Dame, Pottios became the second round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. After playing with the Steelers from 1961-1965, the linebacker signed with the Los Angeles Rams from 1966-1970. He ended his 12-year football career as a Washington Redskin, playing with the team from 1971-1973.
Andy Russell: An outside linebacker from the University of Missouri, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963 and from 1966-76 upon returning from Vietnam. He was an early member of Pittsburgh’s famed Steel Curtain defense and was named the Steelers’ MVP in 1971. He made seven Pro Bowl appearances and earned two Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI & X.
Michael Schneck: The long snapper from the University of Wisconsin entered the NFL in ’99 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Schneck remained with the Steelers until 2004 then played for the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons. In 2005 he was selected to go to the Pro Bowl.
Lynn Swann: Hall of Fame 2001—A graduate of the University of Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area native was a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his time with Steelers (1974-1982) he earned three Pro Bowl selections, an AP First-Team All-Pro Selection, two AP Second-Team All-Pro selections, four Super Bowl Championships and Super Bowl MVP.
Kent Tekulve: A native of Marietta, OH, the relief pitcher attended Marietta College. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent and played from 1974-1985. From 1985-1988, Philadelphia was his new home with the Phillies. Tekulve retired as a Cincinnati Red after the 1989 season.
Carol Semple Thompson: Early in her career she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in ‘73 and then went on to win the ’74 British Ladies Amateur. Carol has numerous other victories including the North and South Women’s Amateur and four consecutive wins at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. In 2003 she was awarded the prestigious Bob Jones Award, and in 2008 she was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Paul Uram: Uram, a football and track athlete, graduated in Slippery Rock’s class of ‘49. As a talented coach he coached high school gymnastics, football, and track and field. In ’73-’81 he worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers strength and conditioning coach, part of the Super Bowl championship efforts in ’74, ’75, ’78, and ’79.
Billy Van Heusen: From New Rochelle, NY, Van Heusen attended the University of Maryland. The punter played for the Denver Broncos for nine seasons (1968-1976).
Stu Voigt: Voigt’s career began early as a high school all-state running back. He was recognized as a standout halfback and tight end during his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. Over the ten seasons he played with the Minnesota Vikings, Voigt played in three Super Bowls.
Mike Wagner: A graduate of Western Illinois University, Wagner played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1971-1980). His decorated career includes two Pro Bowl selections and four Super Bowl championships.
J.R. Wilburn: Born in San Diego, CA, the future wide receiver attended the University of South Carolina. He was the thirteenth-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wilburn played in the Steel City from 1966-1970 until his retirement.
Dwayne Woodruff: Hailing from Bowling Green, KY, the future cornerback attended Louisville University. A sixth-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Woodruff won a Super Bowl ring as a rookie at Super Bowl XIV. He remained with the Steelers for the duration of his career (1979-1990).
