50 greatest NFL players of all-time
1974-90. Mike Webster. 48. player. 55. . Center
Considered by most as the best center in NFL history, Mike Webster was everything every team hopes to have as the anchor of their front-five. The Pittsburgh Steelers enjoyed his presence for 15 years, watching him blossom into a superstar offensive lineman.
After taking over as the starter in year three, Webster remained atop the Pittsburgh depth chart for 150 straight games. Along the way, he earned nine Pro Bowl trips, seven All-Pro honors and four Super Bowl rings. The quarterback-center duo formed between Terry Bradshaw and him was among the most well-known in NFL history.
It’s all the more impressive when you consider Webster was only a fifth-round pick for the Steelers back in 1974. He took over for another outstanding veteran in Ray Mansfield, quickly helping Pittsburgh fans forget his predecessor, while having visions of an even brighter future.
Webster is now immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, alongside many of the other Steelers who played a part in that historic run of Super Bowls. His name may not be known by every NFL fan out there, but you at least need to recognize Webster as one of the best centers of all-time.
It’s also worth noting that Webster was the first former NFL player diagnosed with CTE.