Mike Wagner – NFL Past Players

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The “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers featured numerous big names — Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, L.C. Greenwood, and Jack Ham, just to name a few. But one player who’s often overlooked by casual NFL fans is Mike Wagner, the team’s 11th-round pick in the 1971 draft out of Western Illinois.

At Western Illinois, Wagner began as a walk-on, simply asking the coach if the team needed help. He eventually worked his way into the lineup when a starting defensive end went down with an injury. After his freshman year, he considered giving up football, realizing he couldn’t balance playing with paying his way through school without a scholarship. He ultimately earned one — and made the most of it, setting school records with nine interceptions in a season and three in a single game.

Wagner started 12 games as a rookie in Pittsburgh and became a key contributor to the famed defense through 1980. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1974 and 1975, and his eight interceptions in 1973 tied Miami’s Dick Anderson for the NFL lead.

Known by teammates as an exceptionally intelligent player, Mike Wagner delivered in big moments during the Steelers’ postseason runs. In Super Bowl IX, he intercepted a Fran Tarkenton pass with 3:20 remaining to help preserve a 16–6 lead. The following year, he recorded two interceptions against the Raiders in the AFC Championship Game and added a crucial fourth-quarter pick against Roger Staubach in Super Bowl X.

By the end of his career, Mike Wagner had earned four Super Bowl rings and secured his place as a vital — if sometimes underappreciated — piece of one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

Image Gallery of Mike Wagner, Safety 1971-1980

From the 34-14 Steelers win over Cleveland in 1978 - Steeler Greats put the stop on Cleveland Browns ball carrier Cleo Miller.

Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mike Wagner, members of Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain Defense of the 1970s. Lambert and Ham are both Hall of Famers while Wagner, a 2-time Pro Bowler played 10 seasons and started 116 games for the Steelers.

Steelers-Vikings in Super Bowl IX. Jack Ham and friends Mike Wagner & JT Taylor stop Vikings runner Chuck Foreman. The Steelers defense completely dominated the Vikings offense forcing 5 turnovers and allowing only 17 yards rushing and a total offense of 119.

Mike Wagner Football Cards and Covers

Mike Wagner All-Time Career Statistics

All-Time Career Regular Season Totals
							Interceptions				Fumbles
Season	Age	Team	#	Pos	Games	Starts	Int	Yards	Long	TDs	Forced	Recovered	Yards	TDs	Sack
1971	22	PIT	23	SS	12	12	2	53	27	0		0	0	0	0.0
1972	23	PIT	23	FS	14	14	6	77	35	0		0	0	0	1.0
1973	24	PIT	23	SS	14	14	8♦	134	38	0		5	1	0	0.0
1974	25	PIT♚	23	SS	13	13	2	13	9	0		3	84	0	0.0
1975*	26	PIT♚	23	SS	12	12	4	122	65	0		3	8	0	0.0
1976*	27	PIT	23	SS	14	14	2	0	0	0		0	0	0	2.0
1977	28	PIT	23	DB	3	3	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0.0
1978	29	PIT♚	23	FS	14	14	2	34	20	0	3	0	0	0	2.0
1979	30	PIT	23	DB	8	7	4	31	19	0	1	0	0	0	0.0
1980	31	PIT	23	FS	15	13	6	27	17	0	1	1	0	0	0.0
10 Year NFL Career in Pittsburgh					119	116	36	491	65	0	5	12	93	0	5.0

All-Time Career Post Season Totals
					Interceptions				Fumbles Recovered	Sacks
Season	Age	Team	Pos	Games	Int	Yards	Long	TDs	Fumbles Recovered	Sacks
1972	23	PIT	FS	2	0	0	0	0	1	0.0
1973	24	PIT	SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0
1974	25	PIT♚	SS	3	1	26	26	0	0	0.0
1975*	26	PIT♚	SS	3	3♦	53	20	0	0	0.0
1976*	27	PIT	SS	2	1	12	12	0	0	1.0

1978	29	PIT♚	FS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0.0
Career Post Season Total				14	5	91	26	0	1	1.0