{"id":155421,"date":"2025-06-24T18:45:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T18:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/155421\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T18:45:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T18:45:14","slug":"steelers-countdown-to-kickoff-no-75-a-history-of-the-number-and-who-wore-it-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/155421\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers countdown to kickoff \u2014 No. 75: a history of the number and who wore it best"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Steelers<\/a> countdown to kickoff is here \u2014 and we\u2019re at 75 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets<\/a> at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we\u2019re taking a look at the history of No. 75 and the players who wore it best.<\/p>\n

Current Steelers No. 75 wearer: N\/A<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t a current wearer of No. 75 on the Steelers roster \u2014 and for good reason. The jersey was officially retired in 2014 out of respect for arguably the greatest defender in Pittsburgh history.<\/p>\n

Last five Steelers to wear No. 75:<\/p>\n

Nick Bolkovac, 1953\u20131954<\/p>\n

Best No. 75 in Steelers history: DT Joe Greene\"Sep<\/p>\n

Sep 28, 1969; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Joe Green (75) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Franklin Field. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no debating this jersey number \u2014 ‘Mean’ Joe Greene was the greatest Steeler to ever don No. 75. Greene, who played with the Steelers from 1969 to 1981, is widely regarded as the cornerstone of the Steel Curtain defense \u2014 considered one of the greatest defensive units in NFL history, which led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl titles. While sacks didn\u2019t become an official statistic until 1982, Greene\u2019s unofficial 77.5 sacks would have ranked as the fourth-most by a Steeler all-time, behind James Harrison, Cam Heyward, and T.J. Watt. He is the only Steeler to have won the Defensive Player of the Year twice, and he has been named All-Pro eight times. Greene is not only one of the greatest Steelers of all time \u2014 his impact changed the Steel City brand of sports forever.<\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers countdown to kickoff \u2014 No. 75: history behind the jersey<\/a><\/p>\n