'Burgh's Best to Wear It, No. 60: Ben McGee arrived too soon to enjoy Steelers' super success

The Tribune-Review sports staff is conducting a daily countdown of the best players in Pittsburgh pro and college sports history to wear each jersey number.

No. 60: Ben McGee

When the nickname “Steel Curtain” was coined in the early 1970s, it publicized a defensive line that included the best player in Pittsburgh Steelers history and two mainstays on a unit that won four Super Bowl titles in six seasons.

The fourth member, at least initially, is not as well known, but he is perhaps the most recognized player in franchise history to wear No. 60.

Before Ernie “Fats” Holmes came along as a full-time starter in 1973, the fledgling quartet was rounded out by defensive tackle Ben McGee.

McGee spent nine seasons with the Steelers, joining them in the lean years of the 1960s and retiring after the 1972 season — two years before the Steel Curtain dominated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX.

It wasn’t until McGee’s final season that he appeared in a postseason game. He started on the defensive line in the “Immaculate Reception” win against the Oakland Raiders and again the following week when the Steelers lost the AFC championship game at home against the undefeated Miami Dolphins. Then, he called it a career.

McGee might not be as well known as defensive line counterparts “Mean” Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood or Dwight White. Still, it’s worth noting when the Steelers scored that elusive franchise-first playoff victory in 1972, McGee was one of only two holdovers from coach Chuck Noll’s first season. Linebacker Andy Russell was the other.

McGee made the Pro Bowl after the 1966 and ’68 seasons. He moved from defensive end to defensive tackle at the urging of Noll in 1969. McGee appeared in 120 games, starting 103, until Holmes replaced him in the Steel Curtain full-time in 1973.

In 1964, McGee had a choice coming out of the draft. The New York Jets selected him in the fifth round of the AFL Draft. The Steelers used their fourth-round pick on McGee, who played at Jackson State and was one of many players unearthed by legendary scout Bill Nunn.

McGee opted to go to the NFL. After his rookie season, though, coach Buddy Parker reportedly wanted to trade McGee. Young team executive Dan Rooney overruled Parker and accepted the coach’s resignation.

McGee played under Parker, Mike Nixon and Bill Austin before Noll arrived in 1969. In the first eight seasons of McGee’s career, the Steelers were a combined 30-79-3 before finishing 11-3 in 1972. It was his only winning season.

Another prominent No. 60 was Steelers linebacker Dale Dodrill, who made the Pro Bowl four times from 1951-59.