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Glen Carbon Today
By the People, for the People
Steelers Boast Unmatched History of Excellent Centers
From Ray Mansfield to Mike Webster to Dermontti Dawson, the Steelers have developed top-tier centers like no other NFL team.
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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The Steelers' history of excellent centers in the Super Bowl era is unparalleled, with Hall of Famers Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson bookending a lineage that includes Ray Mansfield and Maurkice Pouncey. No other NFL team can match the Steelers' track record of drafting and developing elite centers over the past five decades.
Why it matters
The Steelers' ability to consistently find and develop top-tier centers has been a key factor in the team's sustained success and multiple Super Bowl championships. This history speaks to the organization's talent evaluation, player development, and commitment to building a strong offensive line.
The details
The Steelers' center lineage includes Ray Mansfield, who was traded from the Eagles in 1964 and started 139 regular season games at the position over the next 11 years. He was followed by Hall of Famers Mike Webster (9 Pro Bowls) and Dermontti Dawson (7 Pro Bowls). After Dawson, the Steelers had Jeff Hartings (2 Pro Bowls) and then spent a 1st-round pick on Maurkice Pouncey, who has made 9 Pro Bowls.
- Ray Mansfield started at center for the Steelers from 1966 to 1976.
- Mike Webster was the Steelers' starting center from 1974 to 1988 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
- Dermontti Dawson was the Steelers' starting center from 1988 to 1999 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
The players
Ray Mansfield
A defensive lineman acquired in a trade from the Eagles in 1964, Mansfield was moved to center and started 139 regular season games there over the next 11 years for the Steelers.
Mike Webster
A Hall of Fame center who started for the Steelers from 1974 to 1988 and was voted to 9 Pro Bowls.
Dermontti Dawson
A Hall of Fame center who started for the Steelers from 1988 to 1999 and was voted to 7 Pro Bowls.
Maurkice Pouncey
The Steelers' starting center from 2010 to 2020 who was voted to 9 Pro Bowls.
Jeff Hartings
The Steelers' starting center from 2001 to 2006 who made 2 Pro Bowls and started in Super Bowl XL.
What they’re saying
“The only Super Bowl era team to have anything close to the Steelers' history at the center position would be the Miami Dolphins.”
— Bob Labriola, Steelers Writer (statenews.net)
The takeaway
The Steelers' unparalleled track record of drafting and developing elite centers over the past five decades is a testament to the organization's talent evaluation, player development, and commitment to building a strong offensive line - key factors in the team's sustained success and multiple Super Bowl championships.
