Former Steelers from multiple eras on college football Hall of Fame ballot
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A host of former Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia players made the ballot for the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
They include ex-Nittany Lions Paul Posluszny, Ki-Jana Carter and D.J. Dozier, former Panthers Matt Cavanaugh and Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, and Mountaineer product Aaron Beasley.
A handful of former Steelers are also among the 218 coaches and players whose names have made the list.
• Flozell Adams (Michigan State-Offensive Tackle-1997): Signed with Steelers on July 29, 2010 after starting right tackle Willie Colon suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon injury. Adams was part of the team that went to Super Bowl XLV and lost to the Green Bay Packers during his only year in Pittsburgh.
Adams played from 1998-2009 with the Dallas Cowboys.
• Richard Erenberg (Colgate-Running Back-1983): A rookie in 1984, Erenberg was part of the team that upset the Denver Broncos in the 1984 playoffs and went to the AFC Championship Game. He finished his Steelers career after three years with 174 carries and 642 yards. He also totaled 98 receptions and had 10 total touchdowns.
He scored a touchdown in that AFC Championship loss to the Dolphins.
• Levon Kirkland (Clemson-Linebacker-1991): Kirkland earned two All-Pro honors (second team 1996, first team 1997) and was part of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s. He played in the franchise’s Super Bowl XXX loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Kirkland compiled 1,026 tackles, 19.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and one touchdown during his 10-year career. After eight years in Black and Gold, Kirkland played one year in Seattle and another in Philadelphia.
• Terance Mathis (New Mexico-Wide Receiver-1989): After four years with the New York Jets and eight years with the Atlanta Falcons, Mathis ended his career with the Steelers in 2002. He tallied 23 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He also had six catches for 80 yards in the club’s two playoff games that season, a win over the Cleveland Browns and a loss in Tennessee against the Titans.
Mathis made the Pro Bowl in 1994.
• Heath Miller (Virginia-Tight End-2004): A two-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2012) and two-time Super Bowl Champion (2005, 2008) with the Steelers, he played 11 seasons in Pittsburgh. His career ended after the 2015 season with franchise records as a tight end for receptions (592), yards (6,569) and receiving touchdowns (45).
• Antwaan Randle El (Indiana-Quarterback-2001): As a QB turned receiver, Randle El had two stints with the Steelers (2002-05, 2010). He also played in Washington from 2006-09.
He won a Super Bowl XL ring after the 2005 campaign in Detroit. He also was part of the 2010 club with Adams and Miller.
You may remember a touchdown pass he threw in Super Bowl XL.
No. 80: @Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El’s pass to Hines Ward in @SuperBowl XL (Feb. 5, 2006) #NFL100
: NFL 100 Greatest Plays on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/imEdUo8VSm
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2019
• DeAngelo Williams (Memphis-Running Back-2005): Signed to back up Le’Veon Bell before 2015, Williams ended up starting 14 games over two seasons — in part due to Bell’s injuries and suspensions. He wound up with 1,250 rushing yards, 485 receiving yards and 17 overall touchdowns as a Steeler. He led the team in rushing in 2015 with 907 yards.
We spoke with Kirkland and Randle El when they were nominated last year.
You can read about all of their college accomplishments here.