Pittsburgh Steelers four-time Super Bowl champion Mike Wagner, who was a star safety on Pittsburgh’s dominant “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s, has died. He was 76.
Wagner’s death was announced by the Steelers on Wednesday. No cause of death was given.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Wagner, a tremendous player and integral part of some of the most successful teams in Pittsburgh Steelers history,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in [a statement](https://x.com/steelers/status/2024292195986034928). “Mike played a key role on our championship teams of the 1970s. As a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams, his toughness and consistency were paramount to our secondary. His contributions on the field were significant, but it was also his steady presence and team-first mentality that truly defined him.
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike’s family. He will always be remembered as a champion, a great teammate, and a proud member of the Steelers family.”
Wagner played 10 seasons in the NFL, all with Pittsburgh, from 1971-80. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defensive back helped lead the Steelers to Super Bowl wins in the 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980 seasons, and also earned two career Pro Bowl selections.
“At the time I think we probably didn’t appreciate what we were doing or how difficult it was,” Wagner said about Steelers winning four Super Bowls in six seasons, according to his [Steelers Hall of Honor bio](https://www.steelers.com/history/bios/wagner_mike). “I think we knew it was something special, but everybody enjoyed it.”
Wagner finished his NFL career with 36 interceptions, 12 fumbles recovered, five forced fumbles and five sacks in 116 starts in 119 games played. He was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2020.