SKMW^nSK / \ I FILE I E 9 by Michael ]. Price As the eighties began, football experts looked back and declared the Pittsburgh Steelers the "Team of the Decade" during the 1970's. In just six seasons of that ten-year span, the Steelers had become the first NFL team to win four Super Bowls and the first to win two consecutively twice. Much of the credit for this phenomenal record has been given to the vaunted "Steel Curtain" — the Pittsburgh defensive unit that started the ball rolling back in 1974. During that year the team won the AFC Championship by holding the Oakland Raiders to a meager 29 yards rushing. Super Bowl IX foe Minnesota similarly crumbled, with the Steeler defense limiting the Vikings to just 17 yards rushing — on the way to the club's first-ever world title. The 1980s have not been quite so kind to the team or its legion of fans sporting the Black and Gold. They were out of the running in both 1980 (9-7) and 1981 (8-8) and were eliminated early in the playoffs in both '82 and '83. But much of America awaits the return of the Steelers of ole and, aside from finding a quarterback "of the future," rebuilding the Steel Curtain is a key ingredient in their planned resurrection. And that's where Brother Mike Merriweather fits in. In just two seasons of pro action, Brother Merriweather has carved a niche for himself on the team's defensive line and his coaches look forward to the full development of what they call his "star potential." The sideline generals tag him an "aggressive player with great size and the speed to make big plays from sideline to sideline." The Sphinx / Spring 1984
Merriweather's talent became obvious during his rookie year, when the 3rd round draftee saw more playing time than any Steeler rookie since Jack Lambert during the legendary '74 season. He began playing the right side behind Robin Cole but was soon moved to left outside linebacker. As 1982 progressed, he was used to replace Jack Ham in most passing situations \ and ended the season with 17 total tackles (10 solos) in nine games.
was a four-year starter and two-time All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association performer who racked up 312 career tackles (150 solos), five interceptions and 19 sacks. A second team NEA
As the last season (1983) began, Merriweather shook off the two contenders battling him for the starting position. He started all 17 Steeler contests (including the playoff) and finished the year second on the squad in tackles (behind Lambert), with a total of 93. These included 50 solo tackles and 42 assisted bring-downs. He logged two interceptions in PCAA Defenduring the year, one of sive Player which he returned for a of the Year touchdown to score his first balloting in NFL points. With this per- 1981 and formance, Merriweather played in the lived up to the confidence Olmpia Gold placed in him by the Steeler Bowl and the organization . . . and he East-West game. promises to be a vital cog in Age 23 and single, the team's quest for another Brother Merriweather is Super Bowl ring. interested in a career as Brother Michael Zahar teacher / counselor in the Merriweather was born in corrections area. Albans, New York and First, however, is a promplayed high school ball at ising career in professional Vallejo High School in football - and a shot at the Vallejo, California (where glory that has surrounded he now resides). He is a Steeler defensive greats like 1980 initiate of Nu Ch. Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Chapter at the University of Robin Cole and "Mean" Joe the Pacific. At Pacific, Mike Greene. That will, of course,
depend on the success of the team. But it must be remembered that the Team of the 70's didn't really roll until 1974 - going 32-24 for the 1970-73 seasons, with two playoff games (1-1) and one AFC championship bid Thus far in the ties, the Steelers are 33-24, with two playoff ;ames (0-2). Could the I I Steelers