Quarterback Mason Rudolph (No.2) of the Pittsburgh Steelers fights with defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: VCG
Long-time Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher, who guided the team to a 2006 Super Bowl victory, was named on Saturday as an inductee to the American Football Hall of Fame.
Cowher coached the Steelers from 1992 until retiring after the 2006 season, compiling a 149-90 with one drawn record and 10 trips to the playoffs.
The 62-year-old American, who has worked as a television commentator since leaving the Steelers, played five NFL seasons with stops in Cleveland and Philadelphia before starting his coaching career.
Cowher was the first member of the Hall of Fame's special Centennial Class, a 15-member lineup being added to the honor list this year in tribute to the NFL's 100th season.
"This feels like I did when I won the Super Bowl because I said, it took a while to make sure. 'Was that real?' This seems very surreal to me," Cowher said.
The full Centennial list will be revealed on Wednesday and include 10 seniors, three contributors plus Cowher and one other coach.
The regular Hall of Fame class of 2020 will be announced next month at the Super Bowl as usual.
Cowher follows his predecessor as the Steelers coach, Chuck Noll, into the Hall. Noll guided the Steelers from 1969-91. Three former players on Cowher's Steelers teams - Jerome Bettis, Dermontti Dawson and Rod Woodson - are already in the Hall of Fame.