Is Number 7 Retired For Steelers? The Legacy Of Franco Harris

The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t retire many jersey numbers. You might not see another player wear No. 7 after Ben Roethlisberger or No. 36 after Jerome Bettis, but that doesn’t mean the numbers are officially retired.

The Steelers have a long and storied history, and many of their players have worn iconic numbers. However, the team has a different approach to retiring numbers compared to other franchises. Instead of formally retiring numbers, they honor their legends by choosing not to assign those numbers to new players. This practice, while not a formal retirement, acts as a way to pay tribute to the greats who wore those numbers.

This approach allows the Steelers to maintain a connection to their past while also allowing new players to wear numbers that have been previously associated with success. For example, while No. 7 was worn by Roethlisberger, the Steelers haven’t had another player wear it since he retired. This creates a unique sense of respect for Roethlisberger and his contributions to the team, without formally retiring the number.

In essence, the Steelers have a more subtle approach to honoring their past. They don’t retire numbers in the traditional sense, but they do choose not to assign them to new players, effectively creating a “de facto” retirement. This approach allows the team to celebrate their legends while also maintaining a sense of continuity with their past.