The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. When most football fans think of the Steelers' defense, they think about linebackers.
Aside from quarterback, linebacker is arguably the most demanding position on a football team. Linebackers must have the toughness to battle linemen who outweigh them by a hundred pounds. They must have the speed and quickness necessary to cover running backs, tight ends and even wide receivers. They must have the grit needed to collide with powerful running backs at the line of scrimmage and not give an inch, yet still possess the agility needed to make open-field tackles on shifty and elusive ball carriers.