Bill Cowher and the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Superbowl to conclude the 2005 NFL season, and much of that squad still remains intact. Star players like Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, and Hines Ward are all still performing at a high level for the black and gold. But there are 33 players that were in Detroit that Sunday, celebrating a Superbowl championship, who didn’t remain with the team through this past season. 36 if you count free agent defections and returns by Bryant McFadden, Larry Foote, and Antwaan Randle El.
Those three players returned to the Steelers. The remaining 33, though? Well, they’ve found a variety of things to do. Six former Steelers are currently playing elsewhere in the NFL, a handful are playing football outside the NFL, and many have either retired or gone unsigned for a few years now.
This will be a series of six posts each about 5 or 6 former Steelers and what they’ve done with their time since Superbowl XL. We’ll headline each post with an active NFL player from 2010 and add a handful players that might have slipped through the cracks in your memory.
Major props to pro-football-reference.com for tracking players’ NFL action. Jump for the final installment.
Joey Porter
2005: The heart and soul of a ferocious Steeler defense. The unquestioned leader of the team who never failed to get fired up or fire his teammates up. Hated the Bengals.
Since: The first roster casualty of the Mike Tomlin era (mostly for monetary reasons), he signed with Miami in 2007.
Now: Signed with the Arizona Cardinals (I bet you’re shocked) in 2010.
Rian Wallace
2005: Whatever.
Since: Has been involved with both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and the New York Sentinels of the UFL.
Now: Still with Winnipeg, also runs an organization for underprivileged children called “Goals Over Obstacles.” @GooBaby54 on Twitter.
Willie Parker
2005: Took over the starting RB position when Jerome Bettis and [if you can imagine such a thing] Duce Staley sidelined with injuries.
Since: Didn’t lose the starting job until Rashard Mendenhall came on the scene. Signed with Washington but released before the season.
Now: Claimed by the UFL’s Virginia Destroyers, but wants to return to Pittsburgh. Good luck.
Dan Kreider
2005: Fullback in a run-heavy system. Averaged one carry every 13 years and never had a complaint. What a footall player.
Since: Did some time with the Rams and Cardinals (stunned). Wore #36 in St. Louis, the same number Jerome Bettis wore as a rookie there.
Now: Will remain a UFA, because no one in the NFL wants a thirty-something year old fullback with a decade of damage on his body.
Clint Kriewaldt
2005: Special teams co-captain and owner of a great last name for a linebacker.
Since: Released in 2008, probably had neck injuries.
Now: Enjoying his Superbowl Ring.
