The Steelers Hall of Honor is the ultimate recognition for those who have made immeasurable contributions to the organization, whether it be on the field, or off the field.

This week when the Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns, the newest additions to the group will be recognized when the Hall of Honor Class of 2024 is introduced at halftime, after officially being enshrined the night before at a dinner at Acrisure Stadium.

The Hall of Honor Class of 2024 includes linebacker Jason Gildon, nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and running back Willie Parker, a group that brought plenty of glory to the black and gold.

"We are excited to introduce the 2024 Class of Hall of Honor. A great group of Steelers," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "Coach LeBeau, unusual I would say for an assistant coach to go in, not sure how many times that'll happen, but he's just a remarkable person and just so loved by his players.

"Jason really stepped in at a time where we didn't know what we were getting in him. And for him to come in and set the sack record (at that point) was great to see. And, of course, Casey Hampton, just so popular with his teammates and the rock in the center of that line. Willie, the Super Bowl record is great, but a great career, a solid performer and to see somebody come in undrafted like that and have that kind of success. It's exciting to see him going into the Hall of Honor now."

The team introduced the Hall of Honor in 2017, an idea that came from Steelers President Art Rooney II, along with late Chairman Dan Rooney. The Hall of Honor was established to recognize former players, coaches, and front office personnel who played an integral role in the success of the franchise, from the beginning in 1933 until now. To be considered, a player must be retired at least three years and played a minimum of three seasons for the Steelers. Former coaches and contributors had to make significant contributions to the team and community.

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Jason Gildon
Linebacker
1994-2003

Jason Gildon's name sits just above two legends on the Steelers all-time sack list, two men who made the Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s what it was.

"Once you play here, you're always aware of all the great talent that's been through this organization," said Gildon. "But to actually think about being honored with the greats of the great, it's very humbling. It's one of those things you really can't wrap your head around. But I know the names. I think everyone knows the names.

"From time to time I catch myself thinking about just the magnitude of it. To be inducted into the Hall of Honor, especially for a franchise such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, wow. I sit around sometimes and think about the guys I played with, and also the guys who came before me. It's a great feeling."

Gildon, the linebacker who was drafted in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft, has 77 career sacks, ranking him fourth overall in Steelers history, ahead of legends L.C. Greenwood (fifth with 73.5 sacks) and Joe Greene (sixth with 66 sacks). He also ranks among the Steelers leaders with 58 tackles for a loss and 18 forced fumbles.

"Playing linebacker for Pittsburgh Steelers is definitely an honor in itself," said Gildon. "Then to be included amongst those great ones who've actually played the position and been inducted into the Hall of Honor, some of them who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Just to be a part of that legacy is special.

"I know early on in my career it was instilled in me. It takes a lot of pride to play for this organization, let alone play that position for this organization."

Gildon played 10 seasons with the Steelers, making an unforgettable impact on the defense, which included three defensive touchdowns. During his time with the Steelers the team won six division titles, an AFC Championship, and played in Super Bowl XXX.

He earned First-Team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2001 when he recorded 12 sacks, along with 56 tackles, 43 of them solo stops, 15 tackles for a loss, eight passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, including one he returned for a touchdown, and an interception.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl three straight seasons (2000-2002). In his first Pro Bowl season in 2000, he recorded career highs with 13.5 sacks and 77 tackles, 58 of them solo stops. He also added five passes defensed, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown.

Gildon's love for his time with the Steelers and in Pittsburgh had him remain in the area after his playing days ended, where he coached high school football for multiple years and now works as the compliance director for the Jasmine Nyree Campus, co-founded by his former teammate Joey Porter.

"I don't think there's another organization quite like this one," said Gildon. "Even if you take away the success that we've been able to have, our fans are great, we are tremendous in the way we travel. We always have a presence.

"Coming in and looking at the tradition and history of the organization, it was a phenomenal experience for me."

Casey Hampton
Nose Tackle
2001-12

Casey Hampton is a guy who is quick with a smile and a laugh, an infectious laugh that comes from deep down and makes everyone else smile right along with him.

And when he learned he was going to be inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor, the smile got about as big as it ever has been.

"It means everything. It's very humbling," said Hampton. "The guys that came before me. Great defensive linemen, great friends. The guys from the 1970s, my teammates. It's just a big deal to me to be in the same situation, the same room as those guys.

"I was really excited when I first learned the news. I have been there a few times and have seen guys go in the Hall of Honor, and I am really happy for those guys. To have that feeling those guys had, I wanted to have that feeling, and now I do.

"It's a great feeling. It's humbling. You know all the guys that went before you are great players. It's such an honor."

When the Steelers selected Hampton in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, they knew they had a player who would give the defense a huge lift, be a staple on the defensive line and be a player they could always depend on.

What they got was a whole lot more. They got a player that gave them his heart and soul.

"When I first got to Pittsburgh, I didn't know about the history of the team and things like that," said Hampton. "Getting there and quickly learning about the Steelers way, the guys that played before me. It was a way of life. We were raised in that Steelers culture. It was the way to do things.

"I think I took it for granted thinking everywhere was like that. But it was special. It was different."

Hampton played 12 seasons for the Steelers, starting 164 of the 173 games he played in. He finished with 403 tackles, 272 of them solo stops, and nine and a half sacks. He added five forced fumbles, four pass defenses, and two fumble recoveries.

As part of a Steelers defense that dominated opponents, during Hampton's time in the black and gold the team played in the postseason eight times and won their division six times. Hampton also was part of three Super Bowl teams with the Steelers, including a two-time champion in Super Bowl XL and XLIII.

Hampton was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was voted MVP by his teammates in 2005 along with Hines Ward. He was also a member of the Steelers 75th Anniversary Team during the 2007 season, quite an honor considering the other defensive linemen were Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Stautner and Dwight White.

On of the highlights for Hampton being a part of this Hall of Honor class is being inducted with LeBeau, who was the defensive coordinator for the majority of Hampton's career.

"That means everything. That's a great honor," said Hampton. "I know a lot of guys are going to be jealous of that. Coach LeBeau is everybody's guy. Hall of Famer. The person he is. The man he is.

"Playing for him all of the years I played for him. That is one of the biggest honors going in with him."

Dick LeBeau
Assistant Coach
1992-94 (defensive backs coach); 1995-96, 2004-14 (defensive coordinator)

There aren't many people who have had the impact on the NFL that Dick LeBeau has had, but quite honestly, there aren't many men like Dick LeBeau.

LeBeau, who had a Hall of Fame career as a player with the Detroit Lions, went on to have an equally successful coaching career, spending 16 seasons with the Steelers.

After his playing career ended in 1972, LeBeau immediately transitioned into the coaching realm as a special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, eventually serving as the Cincinnati Bengals head coach from 2000-02, in between stints as the Steelers defensive coordinator.

LeBeau first joined Bill Cowher's staff in 1992 as defensive backs coach, before being named defensive coordinator in 1995. After spending time with other NFL teams, he returned to the Steelers in 2004 and spent 11 seasons in the role.

He is the architect of the zone blitz, bringing 'Blitzburgh' to Steelers Nation and wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.

LeBeau's time with the Steelers was so impactful he is the first individual who was solely an assistant coach with the team to be inducted into the Hall of Honor.

"That's particularly meaningful," said LeBeau. "I look at it as being an equal honor with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They're both Hall of Fames of great organizations. And it's an honor indeed to have your name included in both.

"Years ago, I made the decision that I wanted to be a football coach. The one thing I had was experience playing. I played in high school and college and spent 14 years playing in the National Football League. I said the one thing I'm going to do if I ever get to realize that goal of coaching is to treat players the way I wanted to be treated myself when I was playing. That was the type of coach that I was and that was the framework and my philosophy of coaching and teaching. I had great players throughout my whole career. But in terms of accomplishment and success with a group of defenders, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the high watermark for me in my career. It's first place in terms of my coaching memories."

In his 13 years as defensive coordinator over two stints, the Steelers finished in the Top-10 in total defense 11 times, five of those times the team had the top overall ranked defense. During his time as defensive coordinator, the team won seven division championships, four AFC Championships and two Super Bowls, while making the playoffs a total of nine times and appearing in four Super Bowls. He was also the Sporting News Coordinator of the Year in 2008.

Through treating players the way he wanted to be treated, LeBeau formed a relationship with his players that made it work on and off the field, always getting the best out of them with his style.

"Those guys called me 'Coach Dad,' and maybe some coaches would be upset with that," said LeBeau. "They could have called me 'Coach Grandfather,' cause chronologically that would fit more then, I was so much older than them. To this day that's been one of my most cherished nicknames that anybody ever gave to me. And those guys would call me that. And I preach to family and when they're calling me 'Coach Dad,' I think they were getting the idea of what we were talking about."

Willie Parker
Running Back
2004-09

Willie Parker's career with the Steelers might not have been the longest, playing six seasons. But it's one that shouldn't be defined by time, but rather productivity.

Parker originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2004 NFL Draft. He went on to be a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowl selection.

So when he got the phone call informing him he was being inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor, he was truly humbled.

"I thought that was definitely one of the best phone conversations I have had," said Parker. "It means a lot. To be honored for the game I love, the game I played since I was five-years old. Getting recognized for something I love to do, something I put so much hard work, blood, sweat and tears into.

"To be recognized at the highest level is truly an amazing accomplishment.

"To go into the Hall of Honor, an honor Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis have. To be among the Pittsburgh Steelers greats. To be in the same breath as those guys, that is something I never take for granted."

Parker played in 79 career games, starting 60, and finished his career with 1,253 carries for 5,378 yards, ranking third all-time in Steelers history. He had a 4.3-yard average and 24 touchdowns. Parker added 84 receptions for 697 yards, an 8.3-yard average, and five touchdowns.

He had three 1,000 plus yard seasons, rushing for 1,202 yards in 2005, a career-high 1,494 yards in 2006, and 1,316 yards in 2007. He added a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2006.

Parker, a two-time Steelers Super Bowl champion, ranks third in Steelers' history with 25 100-yard rushing games, seven of them in the 2006 season when he had 16 total touchdowns and the first of two Pro Bowl selections.

And his name is still in the NFL record books with the longest run in Super Bowl history, a 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the Steelers win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

"Those years were some of the best years of my life," said Parker. "To meet some of the guys I was teammates with, to be a part of such a prestigious organization. It definitely meant the world to me. I always bleed that black and gold.

"I learned at that particular time, on the road to being great it's more mental than physical. If you believe in yourself. You believe that you are the best. You believe in your teammates. If you listen to what is being coached and said in the meeting room. Then you go out and do your job on the field, you can play at a super high level."

While Parker came to the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, he is the classic example of it's not where you start, but where you finish.

"Coming in they gave me a shot, with that shot I made it to two Super Bowls, two Pro Bowls," said Parker. "I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a blessing. It's a first-class organization, people and coaches. I think about how closeknit the whole organization is. The family. The Rooneys. Coach (Bill) Cowher, Coach (Mike) Tomlin, all the players from the 70s team that started the winning tradition to the players I played with.

"That is what I think about when I talk about Pittsburgh. Now I can put my name in that category."