2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Pittsburgh Steelers 69th US football season August 2023 March 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers 2001 13–3 1st AFC Central Bill Cowher Mike Mularkey Tim Lewis Kevin Colbert The Rooney Family Heinz Field Won Divisional Playoffs(vs. Ravens) 27–10Lost AFC Championship(vs. Patriots) 17–24 border:none; padding:0; 6 LB Kendrell Bell RB Jerome Bettis G Alan Faneca OLB Jason Gildon QB Kordell Stewart WR Hines Ward border:none; padding:0; 4 Alan Faneca (1st team) Jason Gildon (1st team) Kendrell Bell (2nd team) Jeff Hartings (2nd team) Kordell Stewart Kendrell Bell Steelers seasons The 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 69th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). After finishing the previous three seasons a combined 22–26, the Steelers returned to the top seed in the AFC, rolling to a 13–3 record in their first playoff berth and AFC Central title since 1997 and playing at Heinz Field. The Steelers went 7–1 in their new home stadium, with the only loss coming to the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens (a loss the Steelers avenged in the divisional playoffs). However, for the third time in Bill Cowher's coaching tenure, the Steelers fell in the AFC Championship Game at home. This time, the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots upset the top-seeded Steelers. The Steelers ran the ball 580 times in 2001, the most in the NFL. Offseason Additions SubtractionsC Jeff Hartings (Lions) LB Levon Kirkland (Seahawks)S Mike Logan (Jaguars) RB Richard Huntley (Panthers)QB Tommy Maddox (XFL) LB Mike Vrabel (Patriots)LB Mike Jones (Rams) C Dermontti Dawson (retirement) QB Kent Graham (Redskins) NFL draft 2001 NFL draft 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers 1 19 Casey Hampton Defensive tackle Texas from N. Y. Jets yes yes 2 39 Kendrell Bell Linebacker Georgia from New England yes yes 4 111 Mathias Nkwenti Tackle Temple from N. Y. Jets yes 5 146 Chukky Okobi Center Purdue yes 6 181 Rodney Bailey Defensive end Ohio State from N. J. Jets yes 6 182 Roger Knight Linebacker Wisconsin no 7 218 Chris Taylor Wide receiver Texas A&M no no Undrafted free agents + 2001 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeLuis Almanzar Defensive tackleSouthwest Missouri StateTim BakerWide receiverTexas TechDavid BoboGuardTCUChad EvittsLinebackerTennessee TechEddie FaulknerRunning backWisconsinRob FehrmanTackleBowling GreenRob FrazierFullbackFloridaJoey GetherallWide receiverNotre DameChris HokeDefensive tackleBYUAndy KohlKicker/PunterNew Mexico StateJustin KurpeikisLinebackerPenn StateVanness ProvittWide receiverOhio StateAdrian SadlerCornerbackRiceRyan SpragueTight endFlorida StateNigel TharpeDefensive tackleIowa StateKeydrick VincentGuardOle Miss Personnel 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers #08214A white #EEC607 President – Daniel M. Rooney Vice president & general counsel – Arthur J. Rooney II Vice president – John R. McGinley Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. Administration advisor – Chuck Noll Director of business – Mark Hart Business accounting coordinator – Jim Ellenberger Human relations/office coordinator – Geraldine Glenn Business coordinator – Omar Khan Accounting manager – Jodie Spagnolli Communications coordinator – Ron Wahl Public relations/media manager – David Lockett Network administrator – Scott Phelps Marketing and merchandising Director of marketing – Tony Quatrini Marketing coordinator – Rick Giugliano Merchandising manager – Tim Carey Assistant merchandising manager – Sam Rogiero Marketing assistant – John Wodarek Producer/broadcasting manager – Rick Fairbend Marketing/community relations manager – Lynne Molyneaux Marketing assistant – John Simpson Marketing assistant – Mike Marchinsky Ticket operations Ticket manager – Brian Bonifate Football operations Director of football operations – Kevin Colbert College scouting coordinator – Bill Baker Pro scouting coordinator – Doug Whaley Pro/college scout – Phil Kreidler College scout – Mark Gorscak College scout – Bob Lane College scout – Bruce McNorton College scout – Dan Rooney College scout – Bill Nunn BLESTO Scout – Kelvin Fisher Head coach – Bill Cowher Offensive coordinator – Mike Mularkey Quarterbacks – Tom Clements Running backs – Dick Hoak Wide receivers – Kenny Jackson Tight ends – Ken Whisenhunt Offensive line – Russ Grimm Offensive assistant – Mike Miller Defensive coordinator – Tim Lewis Defensive line – John Mitchell Linebackers – Mike Archer Defensive backs – Willy Robinson Defensive assistant – Lou Spanos Special teams – Jay Hayes Conditioning coach – Chet Fuhrman Medical staff Ophthalmologist – Dr. Randy Beatty Physician, orthopedic – Dr. James P. Bradley Neurological surgeon – Dr. Joseph Maroon Physician, M.D. – Dr. Richard Rydze Physician, consultant – Dr. Abraham J. Twerski Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates Training staff Head athletic trainer – John Norwig Assistant athletic trainer – Ryan Grove Football staff Player development coordinator – Anthony Griggs Equipment manager - Rodgers Freyvogel Field manager – Rich Baker Field/equipment assistant – Paul Gallagher Video coordinator – Bob McCartney Video assistant – Andy Lizanich Video assistant – Rob Brakel Photographers – Mike Fabus 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide Notable additions include Casey Hampton, Jeff Hartings and Kendrell Bell. Roster 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers 53 2 5  8 Tommy Maddox 17 Tee Martin 10 Kordell Stewart 36 Jerome Bettis 33 R. J. Bowers y 45 Chris Fuamatu-Maʻafala 35 Dan Kreider FB 38 Jon Witman FB 21 Amos Zereoué 80 Plaxico Burress 81 Troy Edwards 83 Lenzie Jackson 82 Bobby Shaw 86 Hines Ward 48 Matt Cushing 85 Cory Geason 84 Jerame Tuman 62 Roger Duffy American football C/G 66 Alan Faneca G 72 Wayne Gandy T 64 Jeff Hartings C 78 Mathias Nkwenti y T 56 Chukky Okobi y C/G 79 Oliver Ross offensive lineman G/T 77 Marvel Smith T 66 Rich Tylski G 68 Keydrick Vincent y G 94 Rodney Bailey y DE 96 Kendrick Clancy NT 73 Chris Combs defensive lineman DE 98 Casey Hampton y NT 91 Aaron Smith American football DE 67 Kimo von Oelhoffen DE 97 Kendrell Bell y ILB 57 John Fiala ILB 92 Jason Gildon OLB 53 Clark Haggans OLB 50 Earl Holmes ILB 51 Mike Jones linebacker ILB 90 Justin Kurpeikis y OLB 55 Joey Porter OLB 27 Brent Alexander FS 40 Myron Bell SS 41 Lethon Flowers SS 31 Mike Logan American football FS 22 Hank Poteat CB 30 Chad Scott CB 23 Jason Simmons CB 26 Deshea Townsend CB 20 Dewayne Washington CB  3 Kris Brown K  4 Josh Miller punter P/H 54 Mike Schneck LS 89 Will Blackwell WR IR 87 Mark Bruener TE IR 18 Tim Baker American football y WR 19 Demetrius Brown American football WR 95 Rameel Connor American football DE 76 Chris Hoke y DE 43 Payton Williams CB 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide 2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2001_roster.htm 2014-12-27 Pro-Football-Reference.com Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 August 3, 2001 at Atlanta Falcons W 17–16 1–0 Georgia Dome 2 August 16, 2001 at Minnesota Vikings L 10–24 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 3 August 25, 2001 Detroit Lions W 20–7 2–1 Heinz Field 4 August 30, 2001 Buffalo Bills W 20–0 3–1 Heinz Field Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 3–21 0–1 Alltel Stadium Recap 2CLE-PIT The Steelers were originally scheduled to host the Cleveland Browns during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 16) at Heinz Field. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17. Bye 3 September 30 at Buffalo Bills W 20–3 1–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 4 October 7 Cincinnati Bengals W 16–7 2–1 Heinz Field Recap 5 October 14 at Kansas City Chiefs W 20–17 3–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 6 October 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–10 4–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap 7 October 29, 2001 Tennessee Titans W 34–7 5–1 Heinz Field Recap 8 November 4 Baltimore Ravens L 10–13 5–2 Heinz Field Recap 9 November 11 at Cleveland Browns W 15–12 (OT) 6–2 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 10 November 18 Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–7 7–2 Heinz Field Recap 11 November 25 at Tennessee Titans W 34–24 8–2 Adelphia Coliseum Recap 12 December 2 Minnesota Vikings W 21–16 9–2 Heinz Field Recap 13 December 9 New York Jets W 18–7 10–2 Heinz Field Recap 14 December 16 at Baltimore Ravens W 26–21 11–2 PSINet Stadium Recap 15 December 23 Detroit Lions W 47–14 12–2 Heinz Field Recap 16 December 30 at Cincinnati Bengals L 23–26 (OT) 12–3 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 17CLE-PIT January 6 Cleveland Browns W 28–7 13–3 Heinz Field Recap Standings Game summaries Week 1 (Sunday September 9, 2001): at Jacksonville Jaguars Steelers 0 3 0 0 Jaguars 0 21 0 0 at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 83 F (sunny and rain) Game attendance: 63,785 Referee: Mack Gentry TV announcers: (CBS) Don Criqui (play by play), Craig James (color commentator), Beasley Reece (sideline reporter) - (Sunday September 16, 2001): vs. Cleveland Browns Due to the September 11th attacks the National Football League postponed all games. It was played after the rest of the scheduled season had been completed. Week 2 (Sunday September 23, 2001): Bye Week Week 3 (Sunday September 30, 2001): at Buffalo Bills Steelers 7 3 0 10 Bills 0 3 0 0 at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 63 F (sunny) Game attendance: 72,874 Referee: Tom White TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Solomon Wilcots (color commentator) Week 4 (Sunday October 7, 2001): vs. Cincinnati Bengals Bengals 0 0 0 7 Steelers 0 10 0 6 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 46 F (Partly Cloudy) Game attendance: 62,335 Referee: Larry Nemmers TV announcers: (CBS) Bill Macatee (play by play), Trevor Matich (color commentator) This was the first game at Heinz Field. Also Jerome Bettis passed 10,000 yards rushing for his career. Week 5 (Sunday October 14, 2001): at Kansas City Chiefs Steelers 0 6 14 0 Chiefs 0 2 0 15 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 57 F (sunny) Game attendance: 78,413 Referee: Ron Blum TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator) Week 6 (Sunday October 21, 2001): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Steelers 0 7 10 0 Buccaneers 0 3 0 7 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Game time: 1:00 pm EDT Game weather: 84 F (partly cloudy/rain) Game attendance: 65,588 Referee: Ed Hochuli TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter) Week 7 (Monday October 29, 2001): vs. Tennessee Titans Titans 0 7 0 0 Steelers 7 10 10 7 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 9:00 pm EST Game weather: 51 F (Cloudy) Game attendance: 63,763 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers: (ABC) Al Michaels (play by play), Dan Fouts & Dennis Miller (color commentators), Eric Dickerson & Melissa Stark (sideline reporters) Week 8 (Sunday November 4, 2001): vs. Baltimore Ravens Ravens 0 7 0 6 Steelers 3 7 0 0 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 63 F (Partly Cloudy) Game attendance: 62,906 Referee: Bob McElwee TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter) Week 9 (Sunday November 11, 2001): at Cleveland Browns Steelers 3 3 3 3 3 Browns 9 0 3 0 0 at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 42 F (cloudy) Game attendance: 73,218 Referee: Dick Hantak TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Solomon Wilcots (color commentator) Week 10 (Sunday November 18, 2001): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars 0 0 7 0 Steelers 3 3 7 7 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 4:05 pm EST Game weather: 57 F (Mostly Cloudy) Game attendance: 62,644 Referee: Ron Winter TV announcers: (CBS) Ian Eagle (play by play), Solomon Wilcots (color commentator) Week 11 (Sunday November 25, 2001): at Tennessee Titans Steelers 3 7 14 10 Titans 7 7 3 7 at Adelphia Coliseum, Nashville, Tennessee Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 63 F (sunny) Game attendance: 68,801 Referee: Bill Leavy TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter) Week 12 (Sunday December 2, 2001): vs. Minnesota Vikings Vikings 3 0 0 13 Steelers 0 7 14 0 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 48 F (Sunny) Game attendance: 62,661 Referee: Tony Corrente TV announcers: (Fox) Dick Stockton (play by play), Troy Aikman & Daryl Johnston (color commentators), Pam Oliver (sideline reporter) Week 13 (Sunday December 9, 2001): vs. New York Jets Jets 0 7 0 0 Steelers 3 9 0 6 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 4:15 pm EST Game weather: 41 F (Cloudy) Game attendance: 62,884 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator), Armen Keteyian (sideline reporter) Week 14 (Sunday December 16, 2001): at Baltimore Ravens Steelers 3 10 0 13 Ravens 0 7 0 14 at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland Game time: 8:30 pm EST Game weather: 42 F Game attendance: 69,506 Referee: Tom White TV announcers: (ESPN) Mike Patrick (play by play), Joe Theismann & Paul Maguire (color commentators), Suzy Kolber (sideline reporter) Week 15 (Sunday December 23, 2001): vs. Detroit Lions Lions 7 7 0 0 Steelers 14 13 10 10 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 43 F (Light Rain) Game attendance: 62,809 Referee: Johnny Grier TV announcers: (Fox) Kenny Albert (play by play), Tim Green (color commentator), Jennifer Hammond (sideline reporter) Week 16 (Sunday December 30, 2001): at Cincinnati Bengals Steelers 14 3 6 0 0 Bengals 0 10 0 13 3 at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 20 F (Partly Cloudy) Game attendance: 63,751 Referee: Jeff Triplette TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator) Week 17 (Sunday January 6, 2002): vs. Cleveland Browns Browns 7 0 0 0 Steelers 0 7 14 7 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 1:00 pm EST Game weather: 32 F (Rain & Snow) Game attendance: 59,189 Referee: Bernie Kukar TV announcers: (CBS) Gus Johnson (play by play), Brent Jones (color commentator) Playoffs Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Game Site NFL RecapDivisional January 20 Baltimore Ravens W 27–10 Heinz Field Summary Conference January 27 New England Patriots L 17–24 Heinz Field Summary Game summaries AFC Divisional Playoff (Sunday January 20, 2002): vs. Baltimore Ravens Ravens 0 3 7 0 Steelers 10 10 0 7 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 12:30 pm EST Game weather: 30 F (Mostly Cloudy) Game attendance: 63,976 Referee: Tony Corrente TV announcers: (CBS) Dick Enberg (play by play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator), Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporter) AFC Championship Game (Sunday January 27, 2002): vs. New England Patriots Patriots 7 7 7 3 Steelers 0 3 14 0 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Game time: 12:30 pm EST Game weather: 57 F (Mostly Cloudy) Game attendance: 64,704 Referee: Ed Hochuli TV announcers: (CBS) Greg Gumbel (play by play), Phil Simms (color commentator), Armen Keteyian & Bonnie Bernstein (sideline reporters) Honors and awards Pro Bowl Representatives See: 2002 Pro Bowl No. 10 Kordell Stewart-Quarterback No. 36 Jerome Bettis-Running Back No. 66 Alan Faneca-Offensive Guard No. 86 Hines Ward-Wide Receiver No. 92 Jason Gildon-Outside Linebacker No. 97 Kendrell Bell-Inside Linebacker (as "need" player) Notes References External links 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Pro Football Reference 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com Recap at NFL.com Category:Pittsburgh Steelers seasons Pittsburgh Steelers Category:AFC Central championship seasons Pitts