For those of us who witnessed it in person, 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s catch yesterday brought to mind Steelers receiver Lynn Swann’s historic reception during Super Bowl X.
It turns out that today marks 50 years since Swann was selected by the Steelers.
Yes, before Groundhog Day, the draft was held. Except for the Immaculate Reception season, every year had been Groundhog Day for the Steelers. Everything changed on January 29, 1974, when one of the best drafts ever made took place.
The team selected FOUR Hall of Famers in that draft class: center Mike Webster (round five), linebacker Jack Lambert (round two), receiver John Stallworth (round four), and wide Swann (round one). Teresa Varley of Steelers.com looks back at that draft class.
That year, the Steelers added a fifth Hall of Famer—not through the draft. After being passed over in a seventeen-round draft, safety Donnie Shell became a free agent and signed with the Steelers.
The fact that the Steelers acquired important players from USC, Kent State, Alabama A&M, Wisconsin, and South Carolina State without the advantage of a Scouting Combine or coast-to-coast Pro Day workouts just serves to enhance the incredible haul of Hall of Famers.
Arguably the best draft any team has ever had, it laid the groundwork for a team that would win four Super Bowls between 1974 and 1979, including quarterback Terry Bradshaw, defensive tackle Joe Greene, linebacker Jack Ham, running back Franco Harris, cornerback Mel Blount, and others.
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