CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 29: Detail photo of a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet during their preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

A legendary member of some of the best Pittsburgh Steelers teams in history has passed away this week.

Andy Russell, former Steelers linebacker and two-time Super Bowl champion, has died. He was 82 years old. The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker was a 16th-round draft pick who played 12 seasons with the Steelers.

The cause of death was not immediately known. He passed away on Thursday night.

His tenure went from the Steelers of the 1960s to the dynasty the franchise built during the 70’s under Chuck Noll.

Russell was honored as a first-team AP NFL All-Pro in 1975 and three other times was second-team All-Pro. He was also a member of the Steelers’ all-time team and part of the inaugural class of the organization’s Hall of Honor.

He remains by many to be one of the best players who played for the Steelers and is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame but has not been inducted.

Drafted in 1963 from the University of Missouri, Russell appeared in 168 games and made 162 starts. He played his entire career in black and gold. He accounted for 38 sacks and 18 interceptions in 168 games.

He missed the second year of his professional football career to serve in the United States Army.

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