There is a certain way of playing that Pittsburgh Steelers fans prefer. I’m sure it certainly applies to almost, if not every organization. But Steelers football is and has for many decades been personified for hardnosed, smashmouth football, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
That mindset transcended eras, and some may disagree, but it’s still present to some degree today—within the limits of the rules that have evolved over the years. it was certainly there in the 2000s with the likes of James Harrison, James Farrior, Larry Foote, Joey Porter, and the likes.
And the linebackers made sure it wasn’t just them.