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The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens can’t stand each other. This is no secret. However, underneath the hatred usually lies a tremendous amount of respect for the other. Fans of both teams know this isn’t always the case, but more often than not you have a deep seeded respect for those who challenge you the most.
In the early 2000s, when players like Ray Lewis, Hines Ward, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison were on the field for these knock down, drag out games was easily the pinnacle of the Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore rivalry.
It might seem crazy to think, but the players who once patrolled the field on Sundays are now preparing to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.
Ray Lews
Ed Reed
Jonathan Ogden
Jerome Bettis
All have busts in the Hall of Fame right now, but there should be another one added, maybe two, in the upcoming days as the class of 2020 is announced.
The Steelers verified Twitter feed has been creating videos of why former members of the black-and-gold should take their place among the greatest to ever play the game. The most recent video highlighted someone most wouldn’t expect endorsing a member of the Steelers.
Ray Lewis.
Yes, that Ray Lewis, spoke about Troy Polamalu, and why he should be inducted in 2020. Check it out:
'The greatest ones find a way to change the game.'
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 25, 2020
Hall of Fame linebacker @raylewis explains why #PFHOF20 Finalist @tpolamalu deserves to be in Canton. pic.twitter.com/rS4LbLsX41
Lewis’ words certainly resonate with the Steelers’ fan base, but he wasn’t the only one the Steelers’ organization highlighted to talk about potential Hall of Fame inductees. Our own Jerome Bettis did just that when talking about both Polamalu, and Alan Faneca, who has been awaiting his turn to be inducted for years.
Check out what “The Bus” had to say about his former teammates:
'He made play after play.'@JeromeBettis36 speaks about how incredible of a football player #PFHOF20 Finalist @tpolamalu was. pic.twitter.com/cP7FqK6AHt
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 23, 2020
'He was simply one of the best guards that the NFL has ever seen.'@JeromeBettis36 speaks about how special #PFHOF20 Finalist @afan66 was on the field. pic.twitter.com/OUlvYiRvsa
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 22, 2020
The NFL announces the Class of 2020 the week leading up to the Super Bowl, so the wait won’t be much longer for the black-and-gold faithful. Meanwhile, seeing Ray Lewis talk glowingly about the Steelers is both awesome, and weird all at the same time.
Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they prepare for another lengthy offseason.