11th round pick
4 rings
R.I.P. Mike Wagner
-
Steeldrama
- Posts: 2904
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2019 6:44 pm
2 others liked this
Damn that sucks
Helluva nice guy
Me and my dad did some landscaping work for him at his Hampton home way back when.
My mom was all "get me his autograph, Boomer, get me his autograph"
Soon as I got out of the truck my dad said, "Don't ask for his autograph"
I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago, but 40 years ago is crystal clear.
Helluva nice guy
Me and my dad did some landscaping work for him at his Hampton home way back when.
My mom was all "get me his autograph, Boomer, get me his autograph"
Soon as I got out of the truck my dad said, "Don't ask for his autograph"
I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago, but 40 years ago is crystal clear.
Nick Markakis on Astros: "Every guy over there needs a beating."
Oh no. 
Mike Wagner, RIP. Another member of the legendary Steel Curtain has passed. Mike will never go to a Hall of Fame, but in my book he was an essential member of the 1970s dynasty. The captain of the secondary during his tenure, Mike was always in the right position to make plays. Some of the problems we experienced in Super Bowl XIV vs the Rams were due to Mike being injured that post season.
Bless #23 and all his loved ones and fans.
Mike Wagner, RIP. Another member of the legendary Steel Curtain has passed. Mike will never go to a Hall of Fame, but in my book he was an essential member of the 1970s dynasty. The captain of the secondary during his tenure, Mike was always in the right position to make plays. Some of the problems we experienced in Super Bowl XIV vs the Rams were due to Mike being injured that post season.
Bless #23 and all his loved ones and fans.
-
BouldernBun
- Posts: 1128
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:21 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
Very sad to hear this.
A vital part of my early teen years fandom.
Thank you for the memories Mike!
A vital part of my early teen years fandom.
Thank you for the memories Mike!
-
shellwagnerblount
- Posts: 700
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:16 pm
1 others liked this
I am so sad to hear of his death. One of my fave, as my nickname will attest.
RIP to just one of the players who made the Super Steelers who they were..the best!
-
shellwagnerblount
- Posts: 700
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:16 pm
2 others liked this
https://youtu.be/uOgP-UjBEgQ?t=1064
By far my fave "America's Game" episode and Mike features throughout with his great commentary and insights.
There was a thread about the current edition of the Steelers not having many likable players. I think winning makes everyone MORE likable,,lol..but the Super Steelers were full of characters who demanded your attention and earned it with their play.
By far my fave "America's Game" episode and Mike features throughout with his great commentary and insights.
There was a thread about the current edition of the Steelers not having many likable players. I think winning makes everyone MORE likable,,lol..but the Super Steelers were full of characters who demanded your attention and earned it with their play.
-
Who Dee Knee
- Posts: 411
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2021 7:25 am
- Location: Monrovia, CA
Mike Wagner was a very good safety who I fondly remember. He had 36 career interceptions, but not one returned for a touchdown.
He doesn't get credit for being a hard intense hitter, as much as Donnie or Mel. That entire secondary no one wanted any part of.
"I'm institutionalized, man," he joked. "I gotta have it. I just love the challenges week in and week out that this job provides: the growth in it, the collective growth, the individual growth."
-
swissvale72
- Posts: 2941
- Joined: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:43 am
1 others liked this
Mike Wagner was solid as fuck… 11th round draft choice who started at safety from day one and throughout his 10 year career
Wagner’s ability to anticipate plays was one of the reasons he was named first-team All-Pro in 1973 when he tied for the league lead with eight interceptions. He was also a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1974 and 1975.
“Bud Carson was a smart defensive coordinator, and Mike would challenge him,” said Hall of Fame linebacker and longtime friend Jack Ham. “Our defense got to be pretty complicated, and Mike knew what everyone was doing.”
Wagner was often overshadowed on a defense that featured five future Hall of Fame players — Ham, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Donnie Shell — but his tenacity and intelligence were a valuable asset to a unit that terrorized the NFL. He joined those teammates when he was inducted into the Steelers’ Hall of Honor in 2021.
“There are some Steelers that I played with, my teammates, who are not only the greatest Steelers of all time, but maybe the greatest NFL players of all time,” Wagner said at the time of his induction. “Debatable, arguable, but to join those guys, it’s really a treat. It’s really a thrill, and I’m proud to have earned it.”
Wagner retired after the 1980 season, but not before meeting some resistance from team owner Art Rooney Sr., who wanted him to play for another year. Wagner, though, had been bothered by neck and hip injuries and told Rooney he didn’t want to embarrass himself or hurt the team by playing another season.
The following day, Wagner receiver a phone call from traveling secretary Jim “Buff” Boston, telling him Rooney wanted to see him. When he arrived at the office, Rooney pushed a piece of paper in front of Wagner and told him to sign it.
“Mr. Rooney, I told you I can’t play anymore,” Wagner said.
“Just sign it,” Rooney said.
To his surprise, it was a one-day contract in which Wagner was paid an additional sum for his retirement.
“I don’t know if he did that for other players, but he did it for me and I’ve never forgotten,” Wagner said several years ago.
After retiring, Wagner earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business and began a second career in investment banking for three decades. He was vice president of the private banking group for First National Bank and served on several non-profit boards.
“I’ve always had curiosity and dedication,” Wagner said in a 2021 interview in his alma mater’s “Western Magazine.” “And those traits gave me the opportunity to achieve my goals.”
“Bud Carson was a smart defensive coordinator, and Mike would challenge him,” said Hall of Fame linebacker and longtime friend Jack Ham. “Our defense got to be pretty complicated, and Mike knew what everyone was doing.”
Wagner was often overshadowed on a defense that featured five future Hall of Fame players — Ham, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Donnie Shell — but his tenacity and intelligence were a valuable asset to a unit that terrorized the NFL. He joined those teammates when he was inducted into the Steelers’ Hall of Honor in 2021.
“There are some Steelers that I played with, my teammates, who are not only the greatest Steelers of all time, but maybe the greatest NFL players of all time,” Wagner said at the time of his induction. “Debatable, arguable, but to join those guys, it’s really a treat. It’s really a thrill, and I’m proud to have earned it.”
Wagner retired after the 1980 season, but not before meeting some resistance from team owner Art Rooney Sr., who wanted him to play for another year. Wagner, though, had been bothered by neck and hip injuries and told Rooney he didn’t want to embarrass himself or hurt the team by playing another season.
The following day, Wagner receiver a phone call from traveling secretary Jim “Buff” Boston, telling him Rooney wanted to see him. When he arrived at the office, Rooney pushed a piece of paper in front of Wagner and told him to sign it.
“Mr. Rooney, I told you I can’t play anymore,” Wagner said.
“Just sign it,” Rooney said.
To his surprise, it was a one-day contract in which Wagner was paid an additional sum for his retirement.
“I don’t know if he did that for other players, but he did it for me and I’ve never forgotten,” Wagner said several years ago.
After retiring, Wagner earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business and began a second career in investment banking for three decades. He was vice president of the private banking group for First National Bank and served on several non-profit boards.
“I’ve always had curiosity and dedication,” Wagner said in a 2021 interview in his alma mater’s “Western Magazine.” “And those traits gave me the opportunity to achieve my goals.”
-
gojira5150
- Posts: 1168
- Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2019 3:42 pm
2 others liked this
Wagner had a great story about being the last guy to stop Earl Campbell and how broken he felt after being blasted 5 yards into the endzone as Campbell scored 
Obliteration Is Imminent
-
shellwagnerblount
- Posts: 700
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:16 pm
He was a very wry commentator at times..lolgojira5150 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 19, 2026 5:36 pmWagner had a great story about being the last guy to stop Earl Campbell and how broken he felt after being blasted 5 yards into the endzone as Campbell scored
-
Dan Smith--BYU
- Posts: 2929
- Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 12:33 am
1 others liked this
A man in full.
Life well-lived.
Life well-lived.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.
Nietzsche
Nietzsche
