{"id":912296,"date":"2026-06-07T09:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T09:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/912296\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T09:13:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T09:13:28","slug":"steelers-countdown-to-kickoff-best-past-and-present-players-to-wear-no-98","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/912296\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers countdown to kickoff: Best past and present players to wear No. 98"},"content":{"rendered":"

98 days from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> will host the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> at Acrisure Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown to kickoff<\/a>, we at Steelers<\/a> Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 98 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.<\/p>\n

Steelers current No. 98 wearer: N\/A<\/p>\n

There isn’t a Steeler currently wearing No. 98 on the team roster as of June 7, 2026.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 21: Guard Jesse Sapolu #61 of the San Francisco 49ers goes around Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Gerald Williams #98 during a game at Candlestick Park on October 21, 1990 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 27-7. (Photo by George Rose\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

(George Rose, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 21: Guard Jesse Sapolu #61 of the San Francisco 49ers goes around Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Gerald Williams #98 during a game at Candlestick Park on October 21, 1990 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 27-7. (Photo by George Rose\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

(George Rose, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Feb 5, 2006; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher and Steelers defensive tackle Casey Hampton talk before the start of Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Copyright \u00a9 2006 John David Mercer<\/p>\n

(John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton during Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton during Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff: Best past and present players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Jan 1, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Steelers won 13-9. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(David Richard-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Jan 1, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Steelers won 13-9. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(David Richard-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

October 7, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) reacts to the crowd as he takes the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

November 18, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) takes the field to begin the game against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Baltimore Ravens won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defense end Brett Keisel (99) linebacker Larry Foote (50) nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) defensive end Ziggy Hood (96) against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws in the pocket as center Ryan Cook (63) blocks against Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

December 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) and free safety Ryan Clark (25) embrace on the field before playing the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field. The Cincinnati Bengals won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Dec 8, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vince Williams (98) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Dec 15, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vince Williams (98) is introduced before playing the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Philip G. Pavely, Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sport)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) looks to the crowd during pre-game warm up at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Steve Roberts, Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) after a defensive stop against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Christopher Hanewinckel, Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Christopher Hanewinckel, Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) hits Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) as he scrambles up field during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.<\/p>\n

Nas Titans Steelers 028<\/p>\n

(George Walker IV \/ Tennessean.com, George Walker IV \/ Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Dec 27, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) looks on during warm-ups before playing the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Greatest players to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)Last five Steelers to wear No. 98<\/p>\n

Vince Williams, 2013-2020<\/p>\n

1 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Brian Fluharty, Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 4: Thursday Night Football, Oct. 1, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Barry Reeger, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris)<\/p>\n

(SCOTT CLAUSE\/USA TODAY Network, SCOTT CLAUSE\/USA TODAY Network)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games (Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Takeaways from the Steelers 2026 regular-season schedule release<\/p>\n

Week 10: Sunday Night Football, Nov. 15, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Sam Greene\/The Enquirer, Sam Greene\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 12: Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Denver Broncos, 3:00 p.m. ET (Black Friday Game)<\/p>\n

(Ron Chenoy, Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 13: Sunday Night Football, Dec. 6, vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 14: Monday Night Football, Dec. 14, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Corey Perrine\/Florida Times-Union)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 16: TBD, vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD<\/p>\n

(Allison Lawhon, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

(Philip G. Pavely, Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games<\/p>\n

Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD<\/p>\n

(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)Best No. 98 in Steelers history: NT Casey Hampton\"Jan<\/p>\n

Jan 1, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Steelers won 13-9. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

While yesterday’s decision between Levon Kirkland and Brett Keisel<\/a> was a toss-up, No. 98 is a little more straightforward: the best Steeler to ever wear the jersey is hands down Casey “Big Snack” Hampton.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Selected by the Steelers with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Hampton recorded 398 combined tackles, 39 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles in 173 games. But his impact went beyond stats, as Hampton’s massive size, strength, and presence against the run are why he’s arguably one of the greatest nose tackles of all time.<\/p>\n

A five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion, Hampton is, without a doubt, the greatest Steeler to ever don No. 98.<\/p>\n

For up-to-date\u00a0Steelers\u00a0coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X\u00a0@TheSteelersWire<\/a>\u00a0and give our\u00a0Facebook page<\/a>\u00a0a like.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Pittsburgh Steelers countdown to kickoff: No. 98 jersey history<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"98 days from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium. In the spirit…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":912297,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2074],"tags":[223,254,2554,8134,10224,27103,10037,122176,224,7,122099,6,57,100271],"class_list":["post-912296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-atlanta-falcons","tag-atlanta","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-atlantafalcons","tag-brett-keisel","tag-casey-hampton","tag-countdown-to-kickoff","tag-demarvin-leal","tag-ernie-brown","tag-falcons","tag-football","tag-levon-kirkland","tag-nfl","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-taco-charlton"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116708063401921529","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=912296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/912297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=912296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=912296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=912296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}