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<p>Big fan of Pittsburgh football? Then check out this list of Pittsburgh Steelers running backs.&nbsp;It includes every starting running back from throughout Pittsburgh Steelers history, including current running backs and past ones. Featuring some of the greatest NFL&nbsp;running backs&nbsp;of all time, the best Steelers RBs include Jerome Bettis, Le&#39;Veon Bell, Franco Harris, Rashard Mendenhall, Bill Dudley, Walter Abercrombie, and Rocky Bleier.</p>

<p>Who are the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-nfl-running-backs-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best running backs</a> in Pittsburgh Steelers history? Vote below, and help decide who is the greatest Steelers RB of all time!</p>


The 25+ Best Pittsburgh Steelers Running Backs, Ranked

The Best Pittsburgh Steelers Running Backs of All Time

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FREEFORM

Jerome Bettis

Jerome Abram Bettis Sr. (born February 16, 1972), nicknamed The Bus, is a former American football halfback who played for the Los Angeles Rams/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Bettis is seventh on the list of NFL rushing yards leaders. He retired in 2006 after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL in his native Detroit, Michigan, beating the Seattle Seahawks. Bettis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Franco Harris

Franco Harris (born March 7, 1950) is an American former football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. He was picked by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft, the 13th selection overall. He played his first 12 years in the NFL with the Steelers; his 13th and final year was spent with the Seahawks. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Willie Parker

William Everett Parker Jr. (born November 11, 1980) is a former American football running back who played for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for North Carolina, he was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Rocky Bleier

Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier (ˈblaɪər, BLAI-yer, born March 5, 1946) is an American former professional American football player. He was a National Football League (NFL) halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1970 to 1980.

Le&#39;Veon Bell

Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Andrew Bell Sr. (/ˈleɪviɒn/ LAY-vee-on; born February 18, 1992) is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. After a decent rookie season where he ran for over 800 yards, Bell broke out in his second season with the Steelers, totaling over 2,200 combined yards and made the Pro Bowl. Bell missed several games in the 2015 and 2016 seasons due to drug-related suspensions and injuries, but still put up solid numbers and was voted to the NFL Top 100 both times. In 2017, he had a league-high 321 carries for 1,291 yards, as well as 85 catches for 655 yards, and made the third Pro Bowl of his career. The next year, Bell refused to sign the franchise tag placed upon him by Pittsburgh, resulting in him sitting out the entire 2018 season. He signed with the Jets the following off-season.

Barry Foster

Barry Foster (born December 8, 1968) is a former American football running back in the National Football League.

Merril Hoge

Merril DuAine Hoge (; born January 26, 1965) is a former professional American football player, who currently serves as a head coach for Your Call Football. He played eight seasons at running back for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, retiring after the 1994 season. Since 1996 he had been a football analyst for ESPN television. Hoge, along with fellow longtime NFL Matchup analyst Ron Jaworski, were fired after wide ESPN cuts in April 2017.

James Conner 

James Earl Conner (born May 5, 1995) is an American football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh, and was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In 2014, he garnered AFCA first-team All-American honors and was awarded the ACC Player of the Year. Conner attended McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was a running back and defensive lineman on the Trojans football team. As a senior, he rushed for 1,680 yards on 155 carries and 26 touchdowns. He committed to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh in August 2012.

Rashard Mendenhall

Rashard Jamal Mendenhall (born June 19, 1987) is a former American football running back and current television writer who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football at Illinois and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he later played one season.

DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Chondon Williams (born April 25, 1983) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Memphis, and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He starred in a dual role in Carolina alongside Jonathan Stewart, until Williams' release in the 2014 offseason.  He then played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from  2015 to 2016.

Frank Pollard

Frank Pollard (born June 15, 1957 in Clifton, Texas) is a former professional American football player who played running back for nine seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He may be best remembered for his record setting performance at the 1976 Texas state track championships.  The "Faces In The Crowd" article in the June 14, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated stated:

Frank Pollard Jr., 19, a senior at Meridian High, a class B school, became the highest scorer in the history of the Texas high school track meet, winning the discus (154'9"), the shot (56'3"), the 100 (9.9) and the 220 (21.8). His sprint-relay team also placed fourth.
Currently, Mr. Pollard works at the Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Texas, where he helps children and young adults in their development.

Najee Harris

Najee Harris (born March 9, 1998) is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Bam Morris

Byron "Bam" Morris (born January 13, 1972) is a former American football running back who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bill Dudley

William McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley (December 24, 1921 – February 4, 2010) was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins.  He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.

Dick Hoak

Richard John Hoak (born December 8, 1939) is an American former football player and coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).  He played college for Penn State, and was selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft.  He was a running back for the Steelers from 1961 to 1970, and then became the longest tenured coach in the team's history, from 1972 to 2007.

Earnest Jackson

Earnest Jackson, Jr. is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League.

Born in Needville, Texas on December 18, 1959 Jackson graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School before going to Texas A&M University in 1979. In four seasons with the Aggies Jackson had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 5 touchdowns.  He led the Southwest Conference in rushing yards per attempt in 1981 with 5.8 yards per carry.  He was drafted in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Jackson played 6 NFL seasons, 1983 and 1984 with the San Diego Chargers where he was a Pro Bowler in 1984 rushing for 1,179 yards and 8 touchdowns.  In 1985, he had another 1,000 yard season this time with the Philadelphia Eagles.  His last three NFL seasons were from 1986 to 1988 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In 1986, he was once again a Pro Bowler running for 910 yards and 5 touchdowns. Earnest Jackson ended his career with 4,167 yards on 1059 carries along with 22 touchdowns. He also caught the ball for 695 yards on 87 receptions and 2 touchdowns.

Isaac Redman

Isaac Redman (born November 10, 1984) is a former American football running back. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland.

Duce Staley

Duce Staley (born February 27, 1975) is a former American football running back in the National Football League best known for his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning Super Bowl XL with them against the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football at South Carolina. He is currently the assistant head coach and running backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles who won Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots.

Tom Tracy

For the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, see Thomas M. Tracy.John Thomas "The Bomb" Tracy (September 7, 1934 – January 24, 1996) was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Washington Redskins and in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders. Tracy started his career in Canada, with 2 seasons with the Riders, where he was selected an All-Star in his rookie year. He went to two Pro Bowls and attended the University of Tennessee.

Sidney Thornton

Sidney Thornton (born September 2, 1954) is a former American professional football player who was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd round (48th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 230 lb (100 kg). running back from Northwestern State University in Louisiana, Thornton played in 6 NFL seasons from 1977-1982 for the Steelers.

Walter Abercrombie

Walter Augustus Abercrombie (born September 26, 1959) is a former professional American football running back and kick returner who played in the National Football League. He was selected in first round (12th overall) of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers after playing college football for Baylor. 
Abercrombie was born and raised in Waco, Texas and was a standout running back at Waco University High School before moving down the street to Baylor University.
As a standout running back for Baylor during the Grant Teaff era, Walter Abercrombie would leave a legacy unmatched by future Bears. As a two-time consensus All-Southwest Conference selection and the school's all-time leading rusher, Abercrombie would lead Baylor to a 26-15 record on the field during his standout career that stretched from 1978-81. During his first collegiate game in 1978 against No. 12 Texas A&M, Abercrombie set the standard for what was to be expected by rushing for 207 yards, establishing an NCAA record for rushing yards in a first contest. He went on to earn 1978 Southwest Conference freshman of the year honors, despite playing in just six games. During his career, he would lead Baylor to the 1979 Peach Bowl, the 1980 Southwest Conference title and an appearance in the 1981 Cotton Bowl. Abercrombie finished atop the Baylor record books in many offensive categories including yards rushed (3,665), rushing attempts (732), career 100-yard games (19) and yards per game (94). Following a remarkable career at Baylor, Abercrombie was a first-round draft pick (12th selection overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1982. He played for the Steelers from 1982-87 before spending his final two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1988-89. Abercrombie currently serves as the executive director of the Baylor "B" Association, the school's 700-member organization of former letterwinnersAbercrombie and his family still reside in Waco, Texas.

Clarence Peaks

Clarence Earl Peaks (September 23, 1935 – March 31, 2007) was a professional American football fullback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He played college football at Michigan State University and was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft.Over his 9-year NFL career (7 with Philadelphia), he ran for 3,660 yards and 21 TD. He also had 190 catches for 1,793 yards.

Felix Jones

Felix Jones, Jr. (born May 8, 1987) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Arkansas and was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Joe Geri

Joe Geri (October 20, 1924 – April 20, 2002) was an American Football quarterback-running back who played four seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals from 1949 to 1952 in the National Football League. He was a two time Pro Bowler in 1950 and 1951. He is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
Geri played college football in the University of Georgia and was drafted in the 4th round of the 1949 NFL Draft by the Steelers. Geri also played punter in his short professional career.

Leroy Thompson

Ulys Leroy Thompson (born February 3, 1968) is a former American football running back who played six seasons in the National Football League, the first three with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then one apiece with the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was an excellent receiver out of the backfield, accumulating 153 career receptions, including a career best of 65 in 1994 with the Patriots.  He played college football at Penn State.
After retiring from the NFL, Thompson returned to his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, where he works as a developer and community advocate.

Big fan of Pittsburgh football? Then check out this list of Pittsburgh Steelers running backs.&nbsp;It includes every starting running back from throughout ...