January 29, 1974
Four Hall of Famers drafted in one day

Lynn Swann stopped for a moment, at a loss for words when he came to the realization of how special a day this is in Steelers history.

It's the 50th Anniversary of the 1974 NFL Draft, a draft that was an absolutely epic one for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Wow," said Swann, taking it in for just a minute as he stood within feet of the six Steelers Super Bowl trophies that are part of a special display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, four of which Swann was a part of.

He shook his head, almost not believing it's been that long.

"I have to tell you, to think about it, it's kind of chilling," said Swann. "It gives me chills."

The players who were selected on this day in 1974 were a group that would help lead the Steelers to their first Super Bowl Championship when the team won Super Bowl IX.

But they would do so much more.

"To think, 50 years ago I was sitting in Foster City, California with my mom and dad on the sofa and getting drafted by the Steelers," said Swann. "I didn't know anything about Pittsburgh, or the Steelers, or the history of the team or the Rooney family. All I was worried about was if I could wear gloves."

Four of the Steelers top five picks that were selected that day are now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Swann, the first-round pick, was the MVP of Super Bowl X, a first-team All-Pro in 1978 and the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner in 1981.

Jack Lambert, selected in the second round, was a six-time All-Pro, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.

John Stallworth, a fourth-round selection, was an All-Pro in 1979 and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1984.

Mike Webster, selected in the fifth round, was a five-time All-Pro who was the center of the Steelers offense throughout his entire career.

And while he wasn't drafted or signed on this day, the team also added Donnie Shell to the 1974 rookie class. Shell was signed as an undrafted free agent that year and went on to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Centennial Class of 2020.

"It's important to look back at this group," said Swann. "When you look at the class, the 1974 Steelers Draft may have been the greatest draft in the history of the National Football League. When you think about all of the players who were a part of that class, five of us now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I think there is credit due there to the scouting department and what they achieved. I had no idea we would accomplish what we accomplished during my career with the Steelers. Those teammates and how it would change my life, impact my life and that continues to this day."

While Swann is willing to give credit, the day after the players were selected, not much credit was being given.

The following was written by a sports columnist in the Jan. 30, 1974, edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette following the first five rounds of the 1974 NFL Draft.

"The Steelers seem to have come out of the first five rounds of the draft appreciably strengthened at wide receiver but nowhere else. They didn't get a tight end, and the ones remaining are more suspect than prospect. They didn't get a punter, although none of the nation's best collegiate punters went in the first five rounds.

"They didn't get an offensive tackle who might've shored up what could well become a weakness. What they did get was Swann, who seems to be a sure-pop to help; Lambert, who figures to be the No. 5 linebacker if he pans out; and three question marks."

It appears that Lambert and the other question marks panned out just fine.

1974 NFL Draft Class Hall of Fame Bios:

--> Lynn Swann
--> Jack Lambert
--> John Stallworth
--> Mike Webster
--> Donnie Shell