Throwback Thursday: 3 NFL Draft steals by Steelers in the 1980s
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series as we revisit these moments.
Modern fans point to the older Pittsburgh Steelers fans as living in the past, but some of the best players ever fielded by the black and gold played long before the 2020s. This week, we throwback to the 1980s and look at three players that turned out to be NFL Draft steals for Pittsburgh. These players were all drafted in later rounds but outperformed once they were signed and on the field for the Steelers.
David Little
After earning consensus All-American honors as a Florida Gator in 1980, the Steelers selected the linebacker in the seventh round (pick 183) in the 1981 NFL Draft. Little earned a spot as a starting inside linebacker for Pittsburgh in his fourth season with the team, playing alongside Robin Cole, primarily.
In 1985, Little started all 16 games for the first time in his twelve-season career with the Steelers and became a steady force on the field, eventually starting in 89 straight games. This same season, Little led the team in tackles with 114. He would lead the Steelers in that stat an additional four seasons and was known for being tenacious in short-yardage and goal line stops.
Following the 1990 season, Little was selected to his first Pro Bowl. In 179 games played, Little also recorded 9.0 sacks, 10 interceptions, and 11 fumble recoveries.
BOTD in 1959
DAVID LITTLE
12-year ILB for the Steelers, Little led the team in tackles 5 times, including 114 in 1985.
He was the Steelers co-MVP in 1988 then followed it up with 104 tackles and 3 INT’s in ‘89.
Specializing in goal line smacks, here’s his best from 1989⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0TdencfoQg
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) January 3, 2024
Greg Lloyd
Mister “I wasn’t hired for my disposition” – referencing a t-shirt Lloyd once wore at training camp in 1993 – attended Fort Valley State University (a historically black university in Fort Valley, Georgia). A three-time All-SIAC and three-tine team Defensive MVP, Lloyd was named SIAC Player of the Year and Sheridan All-American his senior season.
From a small conference and missing an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in one knee, Lloyd did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine but did play in the Heritage Bowl. Steelers scout Tom Donahoe, who flew to Atlanta before driving to Fort Valley, worked Lloyd out after Steelers scouts watched college tape that showed his ability to get a little nasty while also having great sideline-to-sideline ability.
The Steelers selected Lloyd in the sixth round (pick 150 overall) in the 1987 NFL Draft behind 27 other linebackers drafted that same year.
Although he missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a serious knee injury, and much of the 1988 season, Lloyd became one of the starting outside linebackers in 1989 opposite Bryan Hinkle. Lloyd was emotional and stepped into a leadership role on the defense over the remainder of his 12 seasons in Pittsburgh.
Lloyd was named to three NFL All-Pro teams and five Pro Bowls while with the Steelers and played a role in helping Chad Brown and Jason Gildon fine tune their linebacker play.
He finished his career with the Carolina Panthers (1998) before retiring from the league, but he helped continue the legacy that the Steelers had developed at fielding dominating, fearsome linebackers that had continued for decades.
His place in Steelers history was cemented when the team inducted him into their Hall of Honor in 2020.
“The fiery intensity of Greg Lloyd”
NFL Films 1993 pic.twitter.com/pG6eMJXX73
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) February 8, 2024
Tunch Ilken
Most Steelers fans knew Ilken as a member of broadcast teams before his untimely death from complications of ALS in September 2021. Many know him for his play.
The Turkish-American Chicago native was a scholarship player at Indiana State University. Ilken became a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree. Believed by many scouts at the time to be a longshot to be a starting offensive linemen, the Steelers saw raw talent and selected Ilken in the sixth round (pick 165) of the 1980 NFL Draft.
Ilken had competition in training camp but made the roster as a versatile tackle (on both sides of the line) that could also play center and guard. Some would say that Ilken helped create the Steelers’ now-known desire for offensive linemen who can play multiple positions.
Truly rotational, Ilken was mainly utilized at tackle by the Steelers. In 176 games, he helped protect Terry Bradshaw, Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, and other Steelers quarterbacks while run blocking for Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Walter Abercrombie, and Barry Foster, to name a few.
Ilken was a two-time Pro Bowler, became a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team and is in the Steelers Hall of Honor.
Introducing the #HallofHonor Class of 2021! pic.twitter.com/2uy9AS4pDE
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 31, 2021
Summary
All three of these players went from low placement in the NFL Draft to legendary status, becoming draft steals for the Steelers. All three are known for becoming team leaders and among the best players in the league during their respective careers.
