BTSC continues to rank the best numbers in team history on a standpoint of thriving over time throughout multiple players. It seems there are a few numbers which are always represented with quality play in Steelers lore. One BTSC author has wondered aloud “what is the most accomplished number in Steelers history?” Through player and jersey value rankings found in Pro Football Reference, we have ranked the most successful numbers in Steelers history worn by multiple players. You won’t see numbers like 12, 58, 75, 31, 32, 52, 59, 36 and 47 as it would be basically ranking an individual player over the other and not the cumulative effort. In today’s submission, we take a look at those ranked 8th. Enjoy.

8) No. 99

Most Notable: Brett Keisel 2002-2014 (pictured below), Levon Kirkland (1992-2000), Darryl Sims 1985-1986

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Current Wearer: Henry Mondeaux 2019-Present

Darryl Sims is only listed here for being a No. 1 selection out of Wisconsin in 1985. He goes down as one of the biggest misses in the first stanza ever. Maybe a consolation prize, but the Steelers were reported to be heavily interested in Jerry Rice. The 49ers didn’t want to miss out on the Mississippi Valley State star and traded their first two picks to New England at No. 16. The Steelers with the 20th pick went with the defensive lineman from Wisconsin. Sims is Top Ten all-time for tackles for a loss and sacks for the Badgers, but his two seasons in Pittsburgh were only memorable for being subpar. Post football success was enjoyed by Sims as an NFL assistant for the Raiders and as a chancellor/AD at Wisconson Oshkosh.

A team-MVP in 1998 and 1999, Lorenzo Levon Kirkland was a long-time stalwart and leader on the defense and a member of the great Blitzburgh corps that featured Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene and Chad Brown. A second-round selection out of Clemson in 1992, the Consensus All-American was an amazing physical specimen that manned one half of the middle for nine seasons in Pittsburgh, six of those seasons with over 100 combined tackles. The two-time All-Pro cranked out 808 tackles, 19.5 sacks and 11 picks in his Steelers playing days. After leaving the Steelers after the 2000 season, Levon spent a season each with Seattle and Philadelphia before retiring. These Days, No. 99 is an outside linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Kirkland was named to the All-Decade team for the 90s and is considered an all time great in the Steel City.

Most seventh-round selections aren’t expected to spend 13 seasons in the NFL, but a player known for his tackling prowess and a long, bushy beard did just that and became one of the most popular Steelers in recent history as well. Brett Keisel didn’t play right away in the Steel City, in fact he missed his entire second season due to a shoulder injury. “Da Beard” became a starter when Kimo von Oelhoffen left after the Super Bowl XL campaign and became a mainstay on the defensive line. Keisel was a team leader that brought grit and stability to the defense, tackling opposing players 409 times and recording 30 sacks in his career. Brett won rings in Super Bowl XL and XLIII and was finally selected to the Pro Bowl after the Super Bowl XLV season of 2010. Despite being released in 2013, Brett Keisel stayed in Pittsburgh and became a pillar of the community.

Check back soon for the 7th best jersey in BTSC’s countdown of the most prolific jersey number stables in Steelers history. But first, a recap of the countdown so far.

Honorable Mention: No. 51, No. 93, No. 27 and No. 33
25) No. 24
24) No. 43
23) No. 83
22) No. 67
21) No. 53
20) No. 10
19) No. 20
18) No. 63
17) No. 50
16) No. 34
15) No. 78
14) No. 98
13) No. 68
12) No. 77
11) No. 56
10) No. 86
9) No. 73