Detroit – When the Pittsburgh Steelers draft a player, they treat him to a video presentation to give him a visual history lesson on their rich tradition.
The video shows the rookies all aspects of the franchise, from the highly respected Rooney family to the four Super Bowl titles of the salad days of Bradshaw, Swann, Noll and the Terrible Towel. From the Immaculate Reception to the fixation on the Bus, new Steelers immediately learn what it means to come to this unique environment.
Former Colorado star linebacker Chad Brown, drafted by Pittsburgh in 1993, said he went into the film room thinking he’d play NFL football for only a few years. After watching the film, Brown said he had goose bumps and was all gung-ho to go into the Hall of Fame as a Steeler.
“We all know the history,” Pittsburgh second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “We all know what it means to be a Steeler. It’s a special feeling.”
Perhaps that’s why so few of the Steelers leave.
A glance at Pittsburgh’s roster shows how the franchise has paved its way to its first Super Bowl in 10 years as it prepares for Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field today.
The Steelers have built an AFC champion, the first team since the 1985 New England Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl with three postseason road victories, with homegrown talent. Of Pittsburgh’s 22 starters, 19 were either drafted or signed as college free agents. Only three of the starters were signed as veteran free agents.
The Broncos, by contrast, have 13 of 22 homegrown starters. Thirteen of Seattle’s starters are homegrown.
While free agency and waiver-wire pickups have become a big part of how an NFL team is built, the Steelers believe in building the old-fashioned way.
“We trust our judgment,” coach Bill Cowher said. “We think we know what it takes to be a Steeler-type player.”
One can’t argue with the Steelers’ drafting ability. Of the 19 homegrown starters, there’s been at least one starter developed from every draft since 1998. Six former No. 1 picks start for Pittsburgh, including Roethlisberger, who is 26-4 as the Steelers’ quarterback since being the 11th pick overall and third quarterback taken in 2004.
Pittsburgh’s draft success has come even though it often picks late in each round. The Steelers have made the playoffs seven times in the past 10 years.
Four of Pittsburgh’s five offensive linemen, a group considered one of the elite units in the NFL, were drafted either in the first, second or third rounds.
Drafting well is typical of the franchise that has long been the face of a city known for being provincial.
The Rooney ownership sticks with its own, as many of the team’s support staff is from the area. Cowher, a local product, is the dean of NFL coaches, having been with the team for 14 seasons.
That stability and loyalty has rubbed off in the locker room. Left guard Alan Faneca said it’s a source of pride for players to stay in Pittsburgh and grow together. The NFL has become a revolving door through which players come and go every year. In Pittsburgh, most of the player movement is simply a crop of new draftees.
Faneca is one of several Pittsburgh starters to have re-signed with the team since being drafted.
“There’s a continuity here that you don’t have at many places,” Faneca said. “For us, building a winner has meant building a winner together. You don’t see a lot of guys come in here through free agency and become a big part of this team. You’re drafted a Steeler and you stay a Steeler.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
