Throwback Thursday: Pittsburgh Steelers all-time interception leaders
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One of the most exciting moments in any National Football League game is when a defensive player creates a turnover for their team by intercepting a pass. In this Throwback Thursday article, we look back at the all-time Pittsburgh Steelers franchise leaders in interceptions, including the famed players that are in the top 5 in that statistic.
No. 5: Dwayne Woodruff
Woodruff, the former Louisville Cardinal, was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL draft. He went on top play all twelve seasons with Pittsburgh. When he joined the team, the Steelers had already become Super Bowl Champions three times. Woodruff’s play at cornerback helped them secure their fourth in six years.
In his rookie season, Woodruff made one interception during the regular season and added another during the postseason that saw the Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins, 34-14, on their way to a Super Bowl XIII victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
“When you come to a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, they are winners. You want to do your part… Having those interceptions solidified my position on this football team.” – Woodruff in an interview on Steelers.com
In case you need some help guessing the year….
That week, the Steelers recorded their first road shutout in 13 years, sealed by Dwayne Woodruff’s interception inside the 10 yd line. https://t.co/9EUicAgglX pic.twitter.com/twMffFZ3tC
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) April 23, 2021
During his career, Woodruff grabbed 37 interceptions (for 689 returned yards) and three touchdowns from interceptions.
No. 4: Rod Woodson
Woodson, the former Purdue Boilermaker, was selected by the Steelers in the first round (10th pick) of the 1987 NFL draft. Woodson primarily played cornerback for Pittsburgh until 1996.
While with the Steelers, Woodson recorded 38 interceptions (for 779 return yards) and five pick-sixes. A true ball hawk, Woodson was also known for his fumble recovery record in the league.
“(Rod Rust) set me aside and challenged me as a player to learn more, to be more. He took me into his office [in Pittsburgh] and used to break down on film of what offenses used to try to do to defenses, and how they’d try to basically scheme defenses. The green light clicked on about a month later. It was a lot easier playing in the National Football League for that.” – Rod Woodson in his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech
On New Year’s Eve 1989, Rod Woodson made the greatest play of his Steelers career.
OT in the Wild Card playoff with Houston nearing FG territory.pic.twitter.com/7vGybxuCap
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) December 31, 2020
Woodson returned 12 interceptions for a touchdown in his NFL career, but his best statistical years – in the interception category – were with the Steelers. Woodson was rewarded with 11 trips to the NFL Pro Bowl, was named AP and UPI Defensive Players of the Year in 1983, and eventually enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame ranked as third in the NFL in interceptions during a career.
No. 3: Donnie Shell
A former South Carolina State undrafted rookie, Shell joined the Steelers in 1974 and played until 1987; he spent his entire NFL career in black and gold. Shell was a five-time Pro Bowl player, a four-time All-Pro selection, and the team MVP in 1980.
In 201 games in Pittsburgh (ranked fifth in franchise history for games played per StatMuse), Shell recorded 51 interceptions (for 490 return yards) and two that went for touchdowns.
“It was a tremendous honor and thrill to play for a world championship team… It meant a lot to be a member of the first four–time Super Bowl Champion in NFL history.” – Donnie Shell (personal testimony on his website)
Happy birthday to Donnie Shell!
Take a look at his highlights from his first All-Pro season of 1979 ⬇️pic.twitter.com/TcDENnxkdf
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) August 26, 2023
Despite his accomplishments, Shell did not make his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame until the 2020 Centennial Class where former teammate Tony Dungy introduced him.
No. 2: Jack Butler
Butler, another undrafted rookie, played his collegiate football for St. Bonaventure. Butler joined the Steelers in 1951 and played through 1959.
For a kid that had never played high school football, Butler had a knack for the game and being able to find the football in the defensive backfield. A tackler that could immediately crumple any receiver, Butler became a premiere corner (listed as a defensive halfback in those early years of the game) that recorded 52 interceptions and 827 interception return yards for two pick-sixes.
“I never, ever thought I would be here. I just didn’t think this was reality. When I was a kid, I dreamed about being a football player. And here I am, Jack Butler from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, going into the Hall of Fame. I can’t believe it.” – Jack Butler during his induction speech
Butler’s interception total remained a Steelers record until broken by fellow Hall of Famer Mel Blount on Dec. 19, 1982.
No. 1: Mel Blount
A former Southern Jaguar, Blount was selected in the third round of the 1970 NFL draft by the Steelers. Blount played the entirety of his professional football career in Pittsburgh. In 200 games, Blount – known for his tenacity and hard hitting play – intercepted the ball 57 times, for a return yardage total of 736 and two touchdowns.
Incredible Mel Blount pick
pic.twitter.com/TyOTMcqIzx— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) March 19, 2025
“When I came into the league I definitely wasn’t ready for it. I was a young guy that had been sheltered growing up during segregation and all of a sudden you are cast into this spotlight and playing this game called pro football. It was a growing experience. You had to learn and learn fast. And to wind up in Canton, Ohio from that experience is unbelievable.” – Mel Blount in an interview for Steelers.com
Blount was a four-time Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV), a five-time Pro Bowl player, was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in its inaugural year, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Top 10 Steelers interception leaders (Pro Football Reference):
- Mel Blount – 57
- Jack Butler – 52
- Donnie Shell – 51
- Rod Woodson – 38
- Dwayne Woodruff – 37
- Mike Wagner – 36
- Jack Ham, Darren Perry, Troy Polamalu – 32
- Jack Lambert – 28
