Steelers 2018 Hall Class

        Bleier, Faneca Headline Steelers ’18 Hall Class

When the Pittsburgh Steelers had their inaugural Hall of Honor class a year ago, they inducted a combination of 27 players coaches and front office staff. This year, the team announced 5 for this year’s class of 2018: RB Rocky Bleier, WR Buddy Dial, G Alan Faneca, Senior Scout Bill Nunn and Personnel Director Art Rooney Jr. They will get officially get inducted Friday September 28th at Heinz Field.

“We wanted to recognize all of the great people that made Steelers football what it is today,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “It’s open to anybody who made a significant contribution to Steelers football. We had a tough selection process again this year. Five great Steelers and great contributors. We are excited to induct these guys into the Hall this year. It’s great to have people each year who some may be in Canton, many won’t be. It’s great to recognize them.”

Each inductee will receive a replica of a solid steel football, which is like the one given to Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr from the US Steel Corporation and United Steel Workers in 1982 honoring the team’s 50th season.

Bleier (1968, 1970-80) was a hero on and off the field. After he was drafted in 1968, he was also drafted in the US Army and was wounded in combat during the Vietnam War in ’69. After being awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in 1970, he rejoined the Steelers and played 10 years, earning 4 Super Bowl rings, a 1,000-yard season and 3,855 career rushing yards, good for 9th on the all-time list.

Faneca (1998-2007) was a 7-time Bro-Bowler and a 6-time First-team All-Pro during his 10 seasons with the Steelers. He was a classic pulling guard who paved the way for Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker. He also played 9 games at left tackle. He was named to the Steelers All-Time Team and the NFL Team of the Decade (2000’s)

Dial (1959-63) was the original #84 and was also the first WR in Steelers history to post a 1,000- yard receiving season in 1961 (1,047) and he did it again in 1963 (1,295) and his career 20.6- yard average is the highest in team history. He also had 4,732 receiving yards and 42 TDs in his career.

Nunn was a sports writer for The Pittsburgh Courier before accepting a scouting job from Dan Rooney in 1968 and was very instrumental in introducing the wealth of talent from the Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) to the Steelers and NFL. He scouted many HBCU talents who helped make up the Steelers 4 70’s Super Bowl teams. Talents like  Mel Blount and John Stallworth. Nunn is also a member of the inaugural Class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Rooney was hired as the team’s Personnel Director in 1965 and he was very instrumental in the Steelers famed 1974 Draft, which produced 4 Hall of Famers. He worked with Head Coach Chuck Noll to produce 9 Hall of Fame members overall and 4 Super Bowls in the ‘70’s.

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