Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Mike Wagner, a cornerstone of the franchise’s legendary “Steel Curtain” era and a four-time Super Bowl champion, has died at 76.
The team announced Wagner’s passing Wednesday night. No cause of death was disclosed.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Wagner, a tremendous player and an integral part of some of the most successful teams in Pittsburgh Steelers history,” Steelers owner Art Rooney II said in a statement.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Wagner spent his entire 10-year NFL career in Pittsburgh from 1971 through 1980, helping anchor one of the most feared defenses in league history. He finished with 36 interceptions and five forced fumbles, becoming a fixture in a secondary loaded with Hall of Fame talent.
Pittsburgh selected Wagner with the 268th overall pick in the 1971 draft, then in the 11th round. Despite his late selection, he quickly proved indispensable.
“Mike played a key role on our championship teams of the 1970s. As a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams, his toughness and consistency were paramount to our secondary. His contributions on the field were significant, but it was also his steady presence and team-first mentality that truly defined him,” Rooney’s statement continued.
Steelers President Art Rooney II on the passing of Mike Wagner: pic.twitter.com/VAnRO6DQwW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 19, 2026
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike’s family. He will always be remembered as a champion, a great teammate, and a proud member of the Steelers family.”
Wagner’s path to the NFL was anything but typical. He attended Western Illinois University but initially drew little recruiting interest and had to ask for a tryout to make the team. Even after earning a roster spot, he waited tables to help cover expenses while playing college football.
When the Steelers took a chance on him, he wasted no time proving his value. An injury opened the door for Wagner to start at safety during his rookie season, and he never gave the job back.
He started 116 of 119 career games and led the NFL with eight interceptions in 1973, cementing his role as a defensive cornerstone.
Wagner delivered one of the defining plays in franchise history during Super Bowl IX, intercepting Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton to seal Pittsburgh’s first championship victory. That win launched a dynasty that would claim four titles in six years.
RIP Mike Wagner 🕯️#Steelers Four-Time Super Bowl Champion Safety
Mike anchored the back end of the Steel Curtain defense for ten seasons during Pittsburgh’s dynasty of the 1970s.
In 1973, he led the NFL in interceptions with eight. He had clutch interceptions late in Super… pic.twitter.com/mOCx4mprYH
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 19, 2026
After retiring, Wagner remained closely connected to the organization. In 2020, the Steelers inducted him into their Hall of Honor, recognizing his lasting impact on one of the NFL’s greatest teams.
His career stands as a classic Steelers story: an overlooked late-round pick who became a champion, a starter for nearly a decade and a quiet force behind a dynasty that reshaped the league.
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