Wednesday 25 September 2002
Hall of Fame center Mike Webster, a member of the Steelers dynasty team from the 1970s, died Tuesday morning at age 50 of complications from a heart attack. With his son, Garrett, by his side, the great soccer hero known as “Iron Mike” passed away quietly after surgery at a Pittsburgh hospital.
Michael “Mike” Webster was born on March 18, 1952, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Considered one of the best centers in professional soccer, Mike Webster’s excellent 17-year career in the National Football League included nine Pro Bowls and four Super Bowl rings, an NFL record for an offensive lineman. He joined the Steelers as part of the 1974 draft along with fellow future Pittsburgh Steelers stars Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann. Not coincidentally, that year also marked the first of four Super Bowl victories for the team that called itself the “Steel Dynasty.” Mike Webster was inducted into the Professional Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997, during his second year of eligibility, and was voted into the NFL’s all-time team in 2000.
From his rookie year in 1974 to 1985, Mike Webster played 177 consecutive games, letting nothing stop him from playing for his team. He was best known for his toughness, stamina, and great work ethic, which further lent credence to that belief by winning the NFL Strongman Competition during the 1980 offseason. He was a strong role model and leader for his team. playing in 19 playoff games with the Steelers and serving as an offensive captain for nine seasons.
Unfortunately, retirement didn’t treat Mike Webster as well as his football career. In 1999, the lineman was diagnosed with brain damage caused by repeated head injuries sustained during his time in the NFL. Multiple concussions had damaged his frontal lobe, and the effects of the injuries worsened in recent years. The rest of his life, unfortunately, deteriorated along with his health, leaving him unemployed, in debt, and occasionally homeless. He also suffered a brief brush with the law when he was charged with falsifying prescriptions for the drug Ritalin, and accepted five years of probation.
“He went through a lot of tough years, but he never complained about anything,” former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw said Tuesday. “In the last 10 days we have lost Johnny Unitas, Bob Hayes and now Mike. These men were a huge part of the NFL family. They were great players.
“Mike was one of the main reasons we won four Super Bowls,” said former Steelers running back Franco Harris. Unfortunately, he had some troubles and misfortunes after his football career. Now he is at peace. We miss and love Mike.
At their 1997 Hall of Fame induction, Hall of Fame quarterback and Steelers teammate Terry Bradshaw summed up Mike Webster in poignant words. “There has never been and never will be another man so committed and totally dedicated to doing the best he can be.”
Mike Webster is survived by two sons, Garrett, 17, who wears his father’s number 52 for the Moon High School football team, and Colin, 23, a corporal in the U.S. Marines. ., And two daughters, Brooke, 25, and Hillary Webster, 15, of Madison, Wisconsin.
