A brand new sequence to assist take us via the remainder of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 offseason. It’s straightforward to recollect QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Franco Harris, and WR Hines Ward. Gamers who routinely led the staff as passers, rushers, and receivers. However these family names didn’t prepared the ground each single yr. For the reason that 1970 merger, there’s been a wholesome variety of obscure one-offs who completed first as soon as, by no means to take action once more.
That’ll be our journey down reminiscence lane. The standards are easy. Lead the Steelers in passing, speeding, receiving yards, or sacks throughout a season as soon as, and solely as soon as, throughout their time with the staff.
At the moment, remembering the time RB Amos Zereoue led the staff in speeding.
Forgotten Leaders – RB Amos Zereoue (2002 – 762 speeding yards)
Jerome Bettis dominated the period however he didn’t lead it each single season. Lacking three video games in 2002 and splitting time even when wholesome within the staff’s first acknowledgment Bettis was now not *the* No. 1 again, Zereoue took the staff’s speeding title dwelling in 2002.
A receiving again and extra athletic, Zereoue completed the season with 193 carries and 762 speeding yards. Bettis nonetheless did many of the celebrating, 9 scores to Zereoue’s 4, however there was a second in time the place “Well-known Amos” was the hot-hand.
With Bettis lacking time as a consequence of a knee damage, Zereoue served because the staff’s workhorse again in Weeks 9 and Ten. He rushed for 100-yards in every. In opposition to the Cleveland Browns, he carried the ball 29 instances for 111 yards and the next week, toted it 37 instances for 123. The latter got here in Pittsburgh’s notorious 34-34 tie in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons, WR Plaxico Burress 1-yard shy of a Hail Mary winner.
Zereoue was extra quantity than the rest and for the season, averaged underneath 4-yards per carry. However he got here up giant within the common season finale. After taking a backseat to Bettis down the stretch, Zereoue acquired the nod in Week 17 in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. He responded with a 26-carry, 104-yard, and two rating efficiency to guide the Steelers to a 34-31 win.
Trailing 31-20 within the fourth quarter, Zereoue scored from 7-yards out to eat into the Ravens’ lead, avoiding Baltimore defenders and his personal offensive linemen into the top zone.
WR Antwaan Randle El scored the go-ahead rating within the closing minutes, guaranteeing Pittsburgh would win the AFC Central, wrap up the No. 3 seed, and host a playoff sport.
Bettis dressed for the Wild Card sport in opposition to Cleveland however barely performed. Zereoue was once more the man, speeding solely 13 instances however producing 76 yards. One other Steelers’ comeback punched their ticket into the Divisional Spherical. Zereoue began and rushed for a 31-yard landing to open the second half and giving the staff a 20-14 benefit.
The run ended there. Kicker Joe Nedney seemingly faked a fall to attract an additional time penalty and re-kick, sending Pittsburgh packing.
Zereoue continued to share a task within the Steelers’ backfield into 2003. Pittsburgh moved on the next offseason, bringing in veteran Duce Staley to type a brand new one-two punch with Bettis. Zereoue spent 2004 with the Oakland Raiders and 2005 with the New England Patriots.
