The Steel Curtain was the nickname given to the famous defense of the American football team the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s. This defense was the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, which won 4 Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV).

In the 1976 season alone, the "Steel Curtain" held their opponents to 0 points 5 times including three consecutive.

The term "Steel Curtain" is a play on the phrase, popularized by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, "Iron Curtain".

The nickname "Steel Curtain" originated in a 1971 contest to name the defense sponsored by Pittsburgh radio station WTAE and is credited to Gregory Kronz, then a ninth grader at a suburban high school. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "he was just one of 17 people who submitted the 'Steel Curtain' moniker to the WTAE contest, necessitating a drawing for the grand prize," which Kronz won.

The Steel Curtain's famed front four were:

1. 75 "Mean" Joe Greene - defensive tackle, 1969-1981
2. 68 L.C. Greenwood - defensive end, 1969-1981
3. 63 Ernie Holmes - defensive tackle, 1972-1977
4. 78 Dwight White - defensive end, 1971-1980

Other Greats in this defense were:

1. 34 Andy Russell - Outside Linebacker, 1963, 1966-1976
2. 58 Jack Lambert - Middle Linebacker, 1974-1985
3. 59 Jack Ham - Outside Linebacker, 1971-1982
4. 47 Mel Blount - cornerback, 1970-1983
5. 24 J.T. Thomas - cornerback, 1973-1977, 1979-1981
6. 27 Glen Edwards - free safety, 1971-1977
7. 31 Donnie Shell - strong safety, 1974-1987
8. 23 Mike Wagner - Defensive back, 1971-1980.

References

• Ruth Ann Dailey (2006). Rev. Kronz and the Steel Curtain. Retrieved January 30, 2006.

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