Bob McCartney, the Steelers long-time video director who is now the team's director of facilities, was among those with ties to the organization who were honored as recipients of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 'Awards of Excellence' on Thursday in Canton, Ohio.
McCartney has worked for the Steelers for 51 seasons and the first game he ever filmed was an iconic one, the 1972 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders when Franco Harris caught the 'Immaculate Reception.'
Since then, he has filmed and videoed hundreds of games, one of the most accomplished videographers in the NFL.
"There's no doubt that it's truly special," said McCartney. "Knowing that my name is going to be in the Hall of Fame, along with guys like Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert and, of course, Joe Greene. I laugh because I filmed all those guys, videoed those guys and it's not like they're going to put a bust up there, but to know that in perpetuity that my name is going to be in the Hall of Fame is pretty darn special."
Former assistant receivers Coach Lionel Taylor, who was with the Steelers from 1970-76 and part of two Super Bowl championship teams, Dan Edwards, the former Steelers media relations director from 1985-94, who went on to spend 29 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dave Levy, who spent the early part of his career in video with the Steelers, were also honored.
"Bob McCartney has been an integral part of the Steelers organization for more than 50 years, dating back to one of the greatest moments in NFL history, the Immaculate Reception, which was the first game he filmed for us," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "His contributions have helped the team achieve success on the field and in his current role he has helped the organization with his contributions off the field.
"Lionel Taylor was a key member of our coaching staff on the Super Bowl IX and X championship teams, and he helped develop Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in their early years.
"It's fantastic that the Pro Football Hall of Fame is honoring them, along with Dan Edwards and Dave Levy who also spent time with the organization, for their long-time commitment in the NFL."
This is the third year for the Awards of Excellence, which started in 2022 to honor those in five categories who contribute to the success of the team. They include assistant coaches, athletic trainers, film/video directors, equipment managers and public relations personnel. Former Steelers public relations director Joe Gordon and equipment manager Tony Parisi were part of the initial group honored with the "Awards of Excellence" in 2022, while former assistant coach Tom Moore was part of the 2023 group.
The film/video directors weren't part of the initial group in 2022, but McCartney is happy to see they have since been added.
"I think it's really important that this event has kind of taken wings," said McCartney. "You look at pro football and it is about the players. But there's so much more that goes on behind the scenes that the population doesn't realize. This started to recognize people that are behind the scenes. I think it's extremely important that the Hall of Fame came to the conclusion themselves that there are people other than the players and the coaches that are involved in pro football and make it work.
"It's a great honor for me and for the rest of the guys that have been recognized by the Hall of Fame and their peers. There are different entities in pro football that are important to the game and it's good to see them recognized."
Members of the Steelers organization were on hand to honor the group, along with McCartney's family, including his wife Gail, daughter Kate, and son Robbie, who is the director of pro scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"My family put up with a lot from the time my wife and I were married," said McCartney. "I think my wife and kids recognize the commitment that I made, doing what I love and being able to do that on a week in and week out basis. And now to be able to share a little bit of that time with them now and saying, okay, this is the payoff.
"From the day I was hired, to be able to run a pro football film program, video program and to be able to share with my family now, it's extremely exciting."
The names of the winners of the "Awards of Excellence" will be placed on display inside a designated area of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum in Canton. Award recipients will be invited to the 2024 Enshrinement Week and will be recognized in Canton this August.
