American · Tomahawk, Wisconsin · Born 18 March 1952 · Died 2002-09-24Pittsburgh Steelers center and four-time Super Bowl champion, posthumously the first NFL player diagnosed with CTE.
Four Super Bowl championships across the Pittsburgh Steelers' 1970s dynasty made Mike Webster one of the most decorated offensive linemen of his era, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and the nickname 'Iron Mike' for extraordinary durability across a 17-season career that ended in financial ruin, homelessness, and cognitive decline before his death at 50.. Bennet Omalu made Webster the first NFL player ever diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a discovery that became a foundational moment in the sport's ongoing reckoning with football-related brain injury and was later dramatised in the 2015 film "Concussion."
Steelers center, first NFL player diagnosed with CTE
How They Played
Exceptionally durable and technically sound center known for his intelligence, leadership, and ability to play through pain
Lasting Impact
Revolutionized the center position with his durability and technique; tragic pioneer in understanding football's long-term health effects
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame 1997
- 4x Super Bowl champion
- 9x Pro Bowl
- 5x First-team All-Pro
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1974–1988 | 220 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1989–1990 | 18 |
American Athletes