Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 34: a history of the number and who wore it best
Current Steelers No. 34 wearers: CB/PR Donte Kent, RB Max Hurleman
A pair of Steelers rookies are the current No. 34 wearers on the roster — CB Donte Kent, who was selected with the 229th overall pick in the seventh round, and RB Max Hurleman, who signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent in May. Kent may have an easier road to making the 53-man roster with his punt return abilities, but Hurleman has every opportunity to make an impact throughout camp and the upcoming preseason matchups.
Last five Steelers to wear No. 34:
Best No. 34 in Steelers history: LB Andy Russell
No Steeler has ever worn No. 34 better than LB Andy Russell — a ten-time team captain and part of arguably the greatest linebacker trio in the history of the NFL. Selected with the 220th pick in the 16th round of the 1963 NFL Draft, Russell was arguably one of the most consistent Steelers of all time, playing in 168 games for Pittsburgh — and never missing a contest due to injury.
Russell won two Super Bowls with the legendary Steel Curtain defense, as well as earning seven Pro Bowl nominations, one First-Team All-Pro selection, and two Second-Team All-Pro selections before retiring in 1976. He was also named to the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor — a truly remarkable legacy, one that deserves to be recognized as the greatest Steeler to wear No. 34.
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