For nearly a decade, James Farrior was an absolute linchpin in the middle of the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, leading the black and gold to two Super Bowl wins, cementing his status as one of the best linebackers in franchise history, even if he won’t have his bust enshrined in Canton.
Farrior, who played and started in 154 career games with the Steelers, finished his nine-year career in Pittsburgh with 1,085 tackles, 82 tackles for loss, 30.0 sacks, eight interceptions, 53 passes defensed, 12 force fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 47 quarterback hits. Though the numbers are absolutely eye-popping for a guy many didn’t know about until then Steelers’ Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert signed off the street in free agency for just three years and $5.