Steelers Legend DE Battles After Stroke But Never Misses a Game, Family Shares His Undying Love for Pittsburgh
In a quiet home just outside Pittsburgh, the sound of the Steelers’ broadcast still fills the room every Sunday.
Framed photos line the walls, snapshots from Super Bowl XIII and XIV, newspaper headlines from the dynasty years, and one familiar black-and-gold helmet that once roared onto Three Rivers Stadium. Sitting by the window with a Terrible Towel folded neatly in his lap, one of the team’s fiercest warriors still watches, still cheers, for the only team he’s ever loved.
The former defensive end, who once helped anchor the “Steel Curtain” defense during the 1970s, has spent the past several months recovering after suffering a stroke in September. The man who used to bulldoze offensive lines with unmatched intensity now fights a different kind of battle, one measured not in tackles, but in small steps toward recovery.
When the Steelers take the field, his eyes still light up. His fingers twitch like he’s getting ready for the snap, that same fire that once made him a champion still burns deep inside.
That man is John Banaszak, now 74 years old, a three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most respected figures in Steelers history. His toughness on the field was legendary, but those close to him say it’s his quiet determination off it that defines him today.
His wife, Mary Banaszak, says that love for the Steelers has never faded. She sits beside him every Sunday, holding his hand as he raises his Terrible Towel each time the team scores. “He can’t shout like he used to,” she says softly, “but when that ‘Here We Go Steelers’ song plays, his lips move with every word.”
“Every week, he asks what time kickoff is. No matter how tired he feels, he wants to watch. He can’t run routes anymore, but he still remembers every roar from Steelers’ Stadium. That sound - it keeps him alive.”
Doctors say his recovery has been slow but steady. His family believes that keeping up his Sunday football ritual has given him purpose, something to hold on to through the hardest days.
Former teammates and coaches have reached out with messages of support, and the Steelers organization has sent gifts and calls reminding him that he will always be part of the family.
Across Steelers Nation, fans have shared prayers, memories, and clips of his glory days under the hashtag #StandToughJohn, honoring not just the player who helped build a dynasty, but the man who still embodies its spirit.
John Banaszak may never walk through the tunnel again, but his legacy still echoes in every hit, every chant, and every Terrible Towel waving high.
He is Pittsburgh, tough, loyal, and unbreakable.
Steelers Young Defender Arrested Hours After Being Released - Facing Multiple Charges
Just hours after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, a young defensive back who had been considered one of the team’s most promising talents was reportedly arrested in downtown Pittsburgh on Monday night, November 3.
According to local police reports, the player was taken into custody for driving under the influence (DUI), disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest following an incident near Carson Street. Witnesses told authorities that the man appeared intoxicated and was “acting aggressively” toward bystanders and officers at the scene.
The situation reportedly began earlier that afternoon, when the player received word that he had been waived by the Steelers, ending his brief but encouraging stint with the team. Sources close to the organization said he took the news “extremely hard,” describing him as visibly upset when leaving the team facility.
Later that evening, according to the police report, officers responded to calls of a disturbance involving a man driving erratically before stopping near a local bar. Upon arrival, officers identified the individual as
Bishop was taken into custody after refusing initial instructions from officers, though police noted that “no one was injured” during the arrest. He has since been released on bail, and his court date is set for later this month.
Head coach Mike Tomlin later addressed the situation in a brief but emotional statement, saying:
"It’s tough. He’s a young man who’s been nothing but respectful and hard-working since the day he walked in. When we heard the news, we immediately reached out to provide legal and emotional support. We’re not here to judge him, we’re here to help him find his way back. Once an Steelers, always part of our family.”
The Steelers organization later released a statement through head coach Mike Tomlin, expressing both concern and compassion for the young defender. The team confirmed that they have moved quickly to
Fans on social media have expressed mixed emotions — disappointment over the arrest, but also sympathy for a young player who appeared to be struggling emotionally after his unexpected release.
This marks another difficult chapter in what had been an inspiring rise for Bishop, who went from an undrafted rookie to a preseason standout before being waived earlier this week. While his future in the NFL remains uncertain, many within Steelers Nation are hoping this serves as a wake-up call — and not the end — of his football journey.
