PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In leading up to the first ever NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh, we take a look at the 50 best Steelers draft picks.
It’s a list that includes Pro Football Hall of Famers, Hall of Honor members, players drafted since 1969 that contributed to 43 winning seasons and six Super Bowl titles over that time.
Today is number 49 with a few ground rules-its only players drafted by the Steelers, the list does not include those who were drafted by someone else and starred with the Steelers. It also does not include undrafted players.
The rankings are based on what they’ve done with the Steelers and not what they may have done after leaving Pittsburgh. Those eligible for this list are players drafted starting with Chuck Noll’s first season.
49. Willie Gay (5th round, 2007, Louisville)
· There was merit to the nickname, Big Play Willie Gay
· Gay had 11 interceptions with the Steelers, 6 went for touchdowns. He even had a fumble return touchdown in the 2010 AFC Championship season
· His first career interception came in the ‘Immaculate Extension’ win against Baltimore in 2008. Gay intercepted Joe Flacco in the end zone on the final Ravens play of the game.
· His second career interception came against Andy Dalton in 2011 with the Steelers up seven with 2:33 to play, Gay picked off the pass at the Steelers 19-yard line
· In 2013, he put the game away with a 21-yard Pick 6 in Cleveland. Gay also forced a fumble in that game.
· He had a 33-yard interception return for a TD against Andrew Luck to put the Steelers up 21-3 against the Colts in 2014
· 3 weeks later had a 28-yard Pick 6 against the Titans in a 3-point Steelers win
· 2 weeks after that, a 52-yard interception return for a score off Matt Ryan in a 7-point Steelers win
· He would get another Pick 6 against the Bengals before his 10-year Steelers career ended with 520 tackles (428 solo)—that is 13th all-time
Previously mentioned--50-Larry Foote
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.