Steelers Hall of Honor names 2026 inductees

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Tuesday that former general manager Kevin Colbert, cornerback J.T. Thomas, and guard Craig Wolfley will be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Honor as the 2026 class.

The team said the three selections bring the Hall of Honor’s total membership to 63 people since the recognition program was launched in 2017.

How the Hall of Honor selection is framed

The Steelers said the Hall of Honor is designed to recognize individuals who made significant contributions to the organization. The selection process, according to the team, considers long-term impact on competitive results as well as lasting influence on the franchise’s legacy.

By naming a mix of a longtime front-office leader and former players from different eras, the 2026 class reflects the Hall’s broad scope across team building and on-field performance.

Kevin Colbert’s front-office tenure

Colbert’s career with the Steelers spanned from 2000 to 2022, covering 23 seasons overseeing football operations. The team said he served 12 of those years as general manager.

During Colbert’s time with the organization, the Steelers won two Super Bowls and reached multiple AFC championship games. The announcement described his years in charge as a period of sustained stability in football operations.

The induction places Colbert among the franchise figures honored not for a single season, but for a long run of roster and personnel leadership that coincided with championship outcomes.

J.T. Thomas and a defining defensive moment

Thomas was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1973 draft and played for the team through 1981. The team said he was part of four Super Bowl-winning rosters.

Officials highlighted one play as especially emblematic of his impact: a decisive interception in the 1974 AFC Championship game. The Steelers credited that moment as a key defensive contribution during an era defined by postseason success.

His selection underscores how the Hall of Honor also elevates specific performances that are remembered as turning points in the franchise’s history.

Craig Wolfley joins the 2026 class

Wolfley, who played guard for the Steelers during the 1980s, rounds out the group announced for 2026. The team did not specify a single signature play in the announcement, but included him alongside Colbert and Thomas as part of the class.

With Wolfley’s inclusion, the 2026 inductees represent key contributors across management and multiple playing decades, reinforcing the organization’s stated aim to preserve and highlight its internal history.