“I think that is the best part of the whole thing, being here with family, friends and teammates,” said Hampton. “It’s not really about me. It’s the celebration with your teammates and family. Being able to celebrate with the people that I went through this with, who I spent time with, that is the best part of all of this.”
The group, who will be honored at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Browns, is intertwined with different paths crossing at different times, all of them part of a similar time in Steelers history.
“The NFL is a fraternity, and particular chapters are the franchises that you are associated with and your brothers,” said LeBeau. “When you get a chance to meet with brothers, it’s a special opportunity and things that sometimes are overlooked in life. But I’ve never overlooked them.
“I always cherish every moment that I get to see players that I coached, players that were on our team during those years. A million memories come flooding back. And it’s one of the absolute joys of life. I don’t know if you can really describe it. Euphoria is a good word.
“To spend time with people that you have shared great times with. And to be in the ambiance of the whole atmosphere, I would put it up there with all the great happenings in my life.”
Gildon played 10 seasons with the Steelers, including being a part of a team that won six division titles, an AFC Championship, and Super Bowl XXX appearance. He earned First-Team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2001 and was selected to the Pro Bowl three straight seasons (2000-2002).
What he remembers the most aren’t the statistics, but the friendships, the bond, the family feel.
“This is a family run organization,” said Gildon. “You always felt that as a player, just from the way Mr. (Dan) Rooney used to come in and interact with us from day to day. He was an approachable person. He was well loved amongst the players. And you felt that sense of family. It starts…
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