Official statement: Cause of Steelers legend, 2-time Super Bowl champion Andy Russell death revealed

Steelers great Andy Russell was one of the pioneers of the ‘Steel Curtain’ defense

Andy Russell, an underrated but vitally important member of the iconic Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense, has passed away at the age of 82. While he was not there for the entirety of the team’s dynastic run in the 1970s, the former linebacker is still immortalized in franchise history.

Russell was selected in the 6th round of the 1963 NFL Draft and played his whole 11-year career with Pittsburgh, missing the 1964 and 1965 seasons due to military service. He earned four total All-Pro selections and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times, illustrating exactly why the Steelers inducted him into their Hall of Honor and awarded him a prestigious place on their all-time team.

Russell was chosen within the 6th circular of the 1963 NFL Draft and played his entirety 11-year career with Pittsburgh, lost the 1964 and 1965 seasons due to military benefit. He earned four add up to All-Pro determinations and was named to the Professional Bowl seven times, outlining precisely why the Steelers accepted him into their Lobby of Honor and granted him a prestigious put on their all-time group.

His affect on the field– 38 sacks, 18 interceptor and 10 mishandle recuperations in 168 games– and the association he built with the fans is for all time inserted within the city and its culture, but maybe more vital, was the influence he had on those who knew him actually.

“He came to us and was promptly a pioneer — same thing as in college and same thing as within the military,” current proprietor Craftsmanship Rooney II told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I listened the Steelers were searching for a captain of the group, and perhaps it was the center [Beam] Mansfield who said, ‘Hey, Andy’s a captain.’ He continuously gave 100 percent.”

Andy Russell made a difference clear the way for the Steelers symbols to come

Russell endured bounty of losing and unremarkableness on the field some time recently Pittsburgh was able to build an scaring defense around him. When future Pro Football Corridor of Famers arrived, No. 34 was not regional within the slightest. In reality, he went out of his way to assist coach them.

“It’s one thing to have a coach, but a fellow who’s playing the other linebacker {position} telling me about the things you have got to seek for and so forward was so accommodating to me,” Russell’s previous partner and individual establishment awesome Jack Ham said. “And he didn’t need to do that as one of those seasoned veterans, but he took time to do that with me, and I will continuously be obligated to him for that.”

Everything all came together in 1974, with the Steelers winning their to begin with Super Bowl in group history against the Minnesota Vikings. They ran it back the taking after year and morphed into apparently the most noteworthy line of all-time. Russell’s 93-yard landing within the 1975 AFC Divisional Circular was the longest return score in NFL history, a record that stood until Cincinnati Bengals protective conclusion Sam Hubbard broke it final year.

Andy Russell resigned after 1976, lost out on two more championships at the conclusion of the decade, but he made a difference lay the establishment of one of football’s most respected institutions. When fans wave their Awful Towels this September and past, hopefully they will keep in mind one of the men who to begin with ingraining such pride within the Dark and Gold Country.