‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 94: Lawrence Timmons shined as top tackler for Steelers

Kevin Gorman
Friday, May 29, 2020 5:28 a.m. | Friday, May 29, 2020 5:28 a.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons plays against the Browns on Jan. 1, 2017 at Heinz Field.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

The Steelers’ Lawrence Timmons celebrates a missed field goal attempt by the Colts’ Adam Vinatieri during the first quarter on Nov. 24, 2016, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons returns an interception next to Ryan Shazier during the second quarter against Giants on Dec. 4, 2016, at Heinz Field.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Steelers’ linebacker Lawrence Timmons plays against the Ravens on Oct. 20, 2013, at Heinz Field.

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.

Lawrence Timmons sometimes gets lost in the lore of Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebackers, behind Hall of Famer Jack Lambert, predecessor James Farrior and even partner Ryan Shazier.

But Timmons stood out among those who wore No. 94.

That counts another Steelers inside linebacker, Chad Brown, who was selected to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro after a 13-sack season (at outside linebacker) in 1996 before signing a free-agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

In 10 seasons with the Steelers, Timmons recorded 983 tackles, 35¹⁄₂ sacks, 13 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and a dozen interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. That’s more than triple the tackles Brown had for the Steelers in twice as many seasons.

A 2007 first-round pick (No. 15 overall) out of Florida State, Timmons made his mark in his second season with a fourth-quarter fumble recovery against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game and by making five tackles in the Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Soon, he moved into a starting role and recorded six seasons with 100-plus tackles. He led the team in tackles five times, including his final four seasons. He was ranked the NFL’s top inside linebacker by Pro Football Focus in 2010, when he had a team-best 135 tackles as the Steelers reached Super Bowl XLV.

In 2014, Timmons got his due when he was picked for the Pro Bowl and selected second-team All-Pro.

Timmons had a knack for being at his best in big games, as he had 90 tackles in 14 career playoff games.

Timmons had a key interception in a late-season victory over the New York Giants in 2016, picking off Eli Manning at the 2 and returning it 58 yards. In that postseason, his last with the Steelers, Timmons recorded 14 tackles against the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card game and New England Patriots in the AFC title game.

Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.