Pittsburgh Steelers Legend & Four-Time Super Bowl Champion Has Tragically Passed Away
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Mike Wagner, a vastly underrated part of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty that won four Super Bowls, has passed away.
In a statement shared on X/Twitter, Steelers president Art Rooney II announced that Mike Wagner died at the age of 76. Rooney said that Wagner “will always be remembered as a champion, a great teammate, and a proud member of the Steelers family.”
You can read Rooney’s full statement below:
Steelers President Art Rooney II on the passing of Mike Wagner: pic.twitter.com/VAnRO6DQwW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 19, 2026
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wagner had a six-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He had been diagnosed with it in 2020, about a year after celebrating his 70th birthday.
After starring at Western Michigan, Mike Wagner was drafted in the 11th round (268th overall) in 1971. Wagner was one of several standouts the Steelers drafted that year, along with Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham (34th overall) and Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight White (104th overall).
Our thoughts and prayers are with Wagner’s family, friends and the Steelers’ organization during this difficult time.
Mike Wagner Played A Significant Role On ’70s Steelers Dynasty
When you think of the top Steelers from the “Steel Curtain” era? Joe Greene, Jack Lambert Jack Ham, Mel Blount, Lynn Swann, Mike Webster, Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harrris immediately come to mind.
But don’t overlook the contributions Wagner made to those championship-winning clubs. He is sixth among all Steelers in interceptions (36). Wagner also earned two Pro Bowl nods (1975 and 1976) as well as First-team All-Pro honors in 1973.
Wagner had a knack for coming up in big moments, too. He recorded an interception in Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl 9 and Super Bowl 10 victories against the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, respectivly.
