The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ countdown to kickoff is full steam ahead for the 2026 NFL regular season, with fans needing to wait only 80 more days until the Steel City brand of football returns when the Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.
In the spirit of the countdown, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 80 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.
Steelers current No. 80 wearer: TE Darnell Washington
He’s big. He’s mean. He ran over a handful of Cincinnati Bengals in viral fashion. You guessed it, the current No. 80 wearer on the Steelers roster is the big 6-foot-7, 300-plus-pound tight end Darnell Washington.
Last five Steelers to wear No. 80
- Darnell Washington, 2023-present
- Johnny Holton, 2019
- Plaxico Burress, 2000-2004, 2012
- Cedrick Wilson, 2005-2007
- Matt Cushing, 1999
Best No. 80 in Steelers history: CB Jack Butler
One of the greatest Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1950s, Jack Butler is the best No. 80 wearer in franchise history.
A Pittsburgh native, Butler signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent and had a terrific nine-year stint in the Steel City. In 104 career games, Butler recorded 52 interceptions, which is just five short of the No. 1 interception leader in team history, Mel Blount.
A three-time First-Team All-Pro, one-time Second-Team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler, member of the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, Legends Team, Hall of Honor, NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Butler is the greatest Steeler to ever wear No. 80.
Butler passed away at age 85 on May 11, 2013, but his impact will live on forever in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
Honorable mention: Plaxico Burress, who recorded 8,499 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns during his NFL career.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers 2026 countdown to kickoff: Best and current wearer of No. 80
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