The cheers of “Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go,” started in the crowd about 20 minutes before anyone even took the stage for the announcement.

Once those taking part in the ceremony took the stage, which included Dan Rooney, Art Rooney, II, L.C. Greenwood and Hines Ward, the crowd reached a fever pitch.

It was the perfect atmosphere inside the Coca-Cola Great Hall at Heinz Field for the announcement of the Steelers 75^th Season All-Time Team, with hundreds of fans on hand to hear the names of the players that they voted for revealed.

“I can see the Steeler Nation is alive and well,” said Dan Rooney to the crowd. “Thanks to all of you who voted for the team.

“I want to congratulate the all-time Steelers team. They were outstanding players and really deserve this recognition. We have players from the beginning to the present who always gave their best to make the Steelers special. It’s been 75 years of fun.”

After a video recapping the team’s history, and opening remarks, it was time for the names to be announced. Some of the loudest cheers came for players like Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Alan Faneca, Casey Hampton and Troy Polamalu. But the loudest cheers from the jersey clad crowd came for Hines Ward and L.C. Greenwood, both of whom were on hand.

“I just want to thank all of you who voted for the guys on the all-time team,” said Greenwood. “It’s a great honor to be a part of the 75^th season.”

Ward, who joined Lynn Swann and John Stallworth as the receivers on the team, was also grateful for the honor.

“To be a part of the Steelers all-time team, especially for us current players, is truly an honor, especially considering all of the great players who were on the four Super Bowl teams of the 70s and even before them,” said Ward. “Those are some great players. It makes us feel in our hearts that the fans appreciate the way we play each and every Sunday.

“To have those fans vote and have my name mentioned with Swann and Stallworth, as a receiver who wears the black and gold that’s all you can ask for.”

The all-time team, which was voted on by fans online on www.steelers.com, and through ballots in the Post-Gazette and PNC Bank locations, will be honored at a Gala Celebration at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Nov. 4.

“I think it comes back to our fans and how much they enjoy Steelers football and remembering the great players,” said Art Rooney, II. “The biggest part was to bring back some memories and bring back the players the fans would enjoy seeing again.”

The team will be recognized again at Heinz Field on Nov. 5 when the Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.

“It will be terrific to have as many as can be there,” said Dan Rooney. “It will be a great time. I am looking forward to it.”

There are a total of 33 players on the All-Time Team, including 10 Hall of Famers and 68 Super Bowl rings among the 33 players, including four owned by the current players on the team.

“You always heard about the reunions of the 70s teams and you always felt like you came so close,” said Ward. “Once we won the Super Bowl I felt like it was okay to be mentioned with Swann and Stallworth because I had won a Super Bowl. Jerome (Bettis) can be mentioned with Franco (Harris) because he won a Super Bowl. We still aren’t the 70s team, but you still feel a part of that championship team because we still did go out and win a Super Bowl. It’s great to be associated with those teams.”

Following is a list of the members of the Steelers’ All-Time Team. For more on the all-time team be sure to check www.steelers.com beginning on October 30.

OFFENSE

Terry Bradshaw - Quarterback (1970-83)

Jerome Bettis - Running Back (1996-05)

Rocky Bleier - Running Back (1968, 1970-80)

Franco Harris - Running Back (1972-83)

Bennie Cunningham - Tight End (1976-85)

Elbie Nickel - Tight End (1947-57)

John Stallworth - Wide Receiver (1974-87)

Lynn Swann - Wide Receiver (1974-82)

Hines Ward - Wide Receiver (1998-Present)

Larry Brown – Offensive Tackle (1971-84)

Dermontti Dawson – Center (1988-00)

Alan Faneca – Guard (1998-Present)

Tunch Ilkin – Offensive Tackle (1980-92)

Jon Kolb – Offensive Tackle (1969-81)

Mike Webster – Center (1974-88)

DEFENSE

Joe Greene – Defensive Tackle (1969-81)

L.C. Greenwood – Defensive End (1969-81)

Casey Hampton – Nose Tackle (2001-Present)

Ernie Stautner – Defensive Tackle (1950-63)

Dwight White – Defensive End (1971-80)
Jack Ham – Outside Linebacker (1971-82)

Jack Lambert – Middle Linebacker (1974-84)

Greg Lloyd – Outside Linebacker (1988-97)

Joey Porter – Outside Linebacker (1999-2006)
Andy Russell – Outside Linebacker (1963, 1966-76)

Mel Blount – Cornerback (1970-83)

Jack Butler – Defensive Back (1951-59)

Carnell Lake – Safety (1989-98)

Troy Polamalu – Safety (2003-Present)

Donnie Shell – Safety (1974-87)

Rod Woodson – Cornerback (1987-96)

SPECIALISTS

Gary Anderson – Kicker (1982-94)

Bobby Walden – Punter (1968-77)