Have The Steelers Ever Had A Number One Pick? Looking Back At Pittsburgh's Draft History

The Steelers, you know, have been playing in the National Football League for quite some time now. They were founded in 1933, which makes them the oldest franchise in the AFC. That's a truly long tenure in professional football, so, in some respects, thinking about their draft history means going way, way back to the very beginnings of the NFL's player selection process.

Digging into the team's past, we find some fascinating details about their earliest draft experiences and the players they chose. It’s a story filled with both promising talents who went on to do great things and, well, a few who perhaps didn't quite make it onto the field as expected. So, let's take a closer look at what the records show about the Steelers and that elusive "number one" spot.

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Table of Contents

• The Early Days of the NFL Draft
• Pittsburgh's First Ever Draft Selection
• Other Notable Early Picks
• First-Round Picks Through the Years
• A History of Coaching and Championships
• Modern Era Draft Picks
• A Unique Jersey Number Mystery
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

The Early Days of the NFL Draft

The NFL Draft, as we know it today, has been a part of the league's fabric since 1936. That year marked the very first time professional football teams formally selected college players. It was, arguably, a turning point for the league, bringing a bit more structure to how teams acquired new talent. The Pittsburgh franchise, then known as the Pirates, was right there from the start, participating in this brand-new system.

Considering Pittsburgh has had a professional football team for 90 years now, it's quite a long time to reflect on their draft choices. The team, as a matter of fact, was founded in 1933, making them the oldest franchise in the AFC. Seven franchises in the National Football Conference (NFC) actually have even longer tenures in the NFL, which is really something to think about.

The very idea of a "number one" pick can mean different things to different people. For some, it means the first player chosen in the entire draft, while for others, it simply refers to a team's first selection in any given year. When we talk about the Steelers, it's pretty important to make that distinction clear, especially when looking at their earliest choices.

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Pittsburgh's First Ever Draft Selection

So, did the Steelers ever have the very first overall pick in the NFL Draft? Well, the records show that their first selection in the inaugural NFL Draft was William Shakespeare. Yes, that's his actual name, and he was a halfback from Notre Dame. He was their first ever number one draft pick in 1936, meaning he was the first player they chose in that historic draft.

Interestingly enough, William Shakespeare never did play in the NFL. Instead, he decided to pursue a career in business. It's almost hard to imagine today, a top draft pick opting for a different path, but that's just what happened back then. It really goes to show how much the landscape of professional sports has changed over the decades, doesn't it?

His story is a rather unique footnote in the Steelers' early history. It highlights that even the most promising college players didn't always make the leap to the pros for various reasons. It's a bit of a reminder that the draft, even today, is full of uncertainties, and player decisions can sometimes surprise everyone.

Other Notable Early Picks

While William Shakespeare was the Steelers' first selection in the very first draft, he wasn't the only interesting early pick. In 1938, just a couple of years later, the Steelers made another significant choice. They selected former tailback and eventual Supreme Court Justice Byron 'Whizzer' White as the fourth overall pick. He was the first player from Colorado football ever drafted, which is pretty cool.

Byron White's story is, arguably, even more remarkable than Shakespeare's. To go from being a top NFL draft pick to serving on the nation's highest court is truly an extraordinary journey. It just goes to show you the kind of talent, both athletic and intellectual, that was sometimes found in those early drafts. He really was a standout individual.

These early picks, like Shakespeare and White, paint a picture of a league still finding its footing, where the paths of players weren't always as clear-cut as they are today. It was a time when professional football was still growing, and the opportunities outside of sports were often just as, if not more, appealing to some of these talented young men.

First-Round Picks Through the Years

Over their many decades, the Steelers have drafted some truly great players in the first round. Think about all the Hall of Famers and franchise cornerstones that have come through Pittsburgh. It's pretty amazing, actually, how many impactful players they've managed to find early in the draft.

However, it's also true that they've had some terrible ones too, which is just the nature of the draft, isn't it? No team gets it right every single time. It's a bit of a gamble, selecting young players, and sometimes it pays off big, and sometimes, well, it doesn't quite work out as planned.

The process of scouting and drafting has changed a lot since 1936, but the core idea remains: finding the best talent to help your team win. For a franchise that has been playing in the NFL since 1933, "ever" is a very long time to consider, and their first-round history reflects that long, winding road of hits and misses.

A History of Coaching and Championships

The Steelers' journey to becoming one of the NFL's most storied franchises wasn't an overnight success story. As a matter of fact, the team lost for 40 years before finally finding consistent success in the 1970s. That's a really long stretch of tough seasons, and it makes their eventual turnaround all the more impressive.

You can point to various events in the history of the Steelers for when that turnaround occurred, but one major factor has been coaching stability. The Steelers have had just three head coaches since 1969, a figure no one else in the NFL can touch. That kind of consistency, you know, tends to create a strong foundation.

This stability, arguably, played a huge part in their championship runs. The determination those players and coaches had in the 1970s was unlike anything I had ever seen before and maybe since. It was just a magical time for the team and its fans. They managed to defeat the Rams in Super Bowl XIV, for example, to win an unprecedented four championships in six years.

The Steelers are also one of only eight franchises to have won consecutive Super Bowls, and they've actually accomplished it twice! They won Super Bowls XIII and XIV, which is a truly remarkable feat. Other teams like the Green Bay Packers (Super Bowls I and II) and the Miami Dolphins (VII and VIII) have done it, but Pittsburgh's double consecutive wins are pretty special.

Modern Era Draft Picks

Moving closer to recent times, we can look at some more contemporary first-round selections. For instance, in the 2000 draft, the Steelers had their highest pick that Kevin Colbert and the team had to work with since 1989. With that pick, the 8th overall selection, they opted to go with a wide receiver, taking Plaxico Burress.

Burress would go on to play 11 years in the league, spending five of those with the Steelers before heading to the New York Giants. He was, in a way, a significant part of the team for a period, showcasing how even high picks can move on to other teams later in their careers.

The draft remains a cornerstone of team building, and every year, fans eagerly await to see who their team will pick. The hope is always for a future Hall of Famer, but the reality is a mix of successes and players who simply don't pan out, which is just how it goes, more or less.

A Unique Jersey Number Mystery

On a slightly different note, but still related to player history, there's been some talk about jersey numbers. Specifically, people have wondered, have the Steelers ever come out and stated an opposition to letting a player wear No. 0? Or is it just a coincidence that no one has worn that number for the Steelers since the NFL made it legal again a few years ago?

Well, the answer is pretty straightforward: the Steelers have never come out and stated an opposition to a player wearing the No. 0. So, it seems to be just a coincidence that no one has chosen it yet. It's a bit of a quirky fact, but it highlights how even small details about team traditions and player choices can become points of discussion among fans.

This kind of detail, you know, adds to the rich tapestry of a team's history. Every little fact, every player's choice, contributes to the overall story of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's a rather deep history, considering how long they've been playing professional football.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people often ask about the Steelers' draft and team history:

1. Has the Steelers had a losing season?
Yes, the Steelers have had losing seasons throughout their long history. In fact, they famously lost for 40 years before finally finding success in the 1970s. As a matter of fact, that happened last season, so, you know, losing seasons are a part of any team's journey.

2. What was the Steelers' worst year?
Defining the "worst year" can be a bit subjective, as it depends on what criteria you're using. However, considering their long history of struggles before the 1970s, many of those early years could be considered among their toughest, especially before they found their championship stride.

3. Have the Steelers ever worn their road white uniforms at home?
For a franchise that has been playing in the NFL since 1933, "ever" is a very long time, and it's quite possible they have. However, the provided text doesn't give a specific instance of this happening, so it remains a general question about their long uniform history.

Conclusion

So, when we ask, "Have the Steelers ever had a number one pick?" it's clear the answer depends on how you interpret "number one." They certainly had their "number one" selection in the very first NFL Draft with William Shakespeare, and they picked high overall with players like Byron 'Whizzer' White as the fourth overall pick. While they may not have held the absolute first overall pick in the entire draft, their history is still incredibly rich with significant early selections and a long, fascinating journey.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' story is one of perseverance, from those early losing decades to becoming a dynasty with multiple Super Bowl wins. It's a team that has seen its share of ups and downs, but their commitment to stability, especially in coaching, has truly set them apart. It's a pretty remarkable legacy, you know, for any sports team.

To learn more about Pittsburgh's storied football history on our site, and to check out more details about the team's playoff appearances, feel free to browse around. You can also find more information about the NFL Draft's history on official league sites, for example, like NFL.com's Draft History.