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Steelers name four team captains

Three first-time captains were named by the team to serve alongside Ben Roethlisberger as team captains in 2014.

By Neal Coolong
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in his likely Hall of Fame career, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is a team captain.

Not that he ever needed the distinction to be viewed as such, but a team currently caught in a youth movement is wise to use their most distinguished player as the symbol of leadership.

Polamalu is one of four team captains, joining Ben Roethlisberger and two other first-time captains, Robert Golden and Shaun Suisham.

Golden, the team's best special teams player in 2013, is a back-up safety. Suisham, the team's kicker since 2011, just signed a contract extension this off-season.

Roethlisberger served as captain alongside Ryan Clark, Brett Keisel and Maurkice Pouncey last season. Clark is now with the Washington Redskins and Keisel was just signed back to the team after training camp had ended. Pouncey, also the recipient of a contract extension this off-season, is seen as the leader of the offensive line.

The Steelers begin the 2014 season at home vs. Cleveland Sunday.

Here are the Steelers captains since 2000:

YEAR OFFENSE DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
2000 Dermontti Dawson, C Levon Kirkland, LB John Fiala, LB
2001 Jerome Bettis, RB Jason Gildon, LB John Fiala, LB
2002 Jerome Bettis, RB Jason Gildon, LB John Fiala, LB
Lee Flowers, SS
2003 Tommy Maddox, QB Jason Gildon, LB Clark Haggans, LB
Joey Porter, LB
2004 Alan Faneca, G James Farrior, LB Chidi Iwuoma, CB
Tommy Maddox, QB Joey Porter, LB Clint Kriewaldt, LB
2005 Alan Faneca, G James Farrior, LB Chidi Iwuoma, CB
Hines Ward, WR Joey Porter, LB Sean Morey, WR
2006 Alan Faneca, G James Farrior, LB Clint Kriewaldt, LB
Hines Ward, WR Joey Porter, LB Sean Morey, WR
2007 Hines Ward, WR James Farrior, LB James Harrison, LB
Clint Kriewaldt, LB
2008 Ben Roethlisberger, QB James Farrior, LB Jeff Reed, K
Hines Ward, WR
2009 Ben Roethlisberger, QB James Farrior, LB Keyaron Fox, LB
Hines Ward, WR James Harrison, LB Jeff Reed, K
2010 Heath Miller, TE James Farrior, LB Keyaron Fox, LB
Hines Ward, WR
2011 Ben Roethlisberger, QB James Farrior, LB Arnaz Battle, WR
Hines Ward, WR
2012 Ben Roethlisberger, QB Brett Keisel, DE
2013 Maurkice Pouncey, C Ryan Clark, S
Ben Roethlisberger, QB Brett Keisel, DE
2014 Ben Roethlisberger, QB Troy Polamalu, S Robert Golden, S
Shaun Suisham, K
Courtesy of Steelers Media Relations

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