Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Kevin Colbert Opens Up About His ‘Special’ 22-Year Run With the Steelers 1
It’s a season of many congratulations for former Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert as the franchise inducts him into the Hall of Honor. His stint with the Steelers oversaw some of the most incredible years in the club’s history, and his contributions are now getting the nearly inevitable applause they deserve.
Colbert spent 22 years in the organization’s front office, during which the former GM made notable moves in building the team into a formidable side. Those years saw him and the team build two Super Bowl championship teams alongside one of the best eras in the Steelers’ history. It’s all nostalgia and more for Colbert, who grew up on the streets of Pittsburgh, as he joins an elite list of franchise heroes.
Congratulations Pour In for Kevin Colbert on His Hall of Honor Induction
Baltimore Ravens Derrick HenryBaltimore Ravens Derrick Henry
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Colbert received widespread congratulations from different high-profile administrators, including head coach Mike Tomlin, who were part of Colbert’s Steelers story. One of Colbert’s most notable moves involved drafting Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, a choice that helped define the squad for years. In all, he built something special in Pittsburgh, and his fingerprints are all over the Steelers’ success.
“We were able to be part of the six Super Bowls, and that’s always going to be a special memory. But in all honesty, being a part of this organization and the greatness that the organization always is, the standard that they’ve always held. It’s the realization of how special it was and how fortunate I was, and my family was, to be part of such a great organization and a great family of players, coaches, administrators, staff. Just to be a part of that. That’s always going to be the special moment, even though it was a 22-year moment.”
Former Steelers GM Kevin Colbert at the 2026 Hall of Honor Dinner on being apart of the organization: “We were able to be part of the six Super Bowls and that's always going to be a special memory. But in all honesty, being a part of this organization and the greatness that the…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 26, 2026
Colbert worked with the front office for a full 22 years, from 2000 to 2022, across auto roles. During that period, he helped to assemble two Super Bowl championship teams, Super Bowl 40 and Super Bowl 43.
The 69-year-old has come out publicly to reveal some of the behind-the-scenes of his famous choices. For instance, during an episode of the Inside the Game podcast this year, Colbert walked listeners through how the franchise, picking 11th, somehow managed to get Roethlisberger’s signature.
Such decision-making processes characterized Colbert’s run. Over his 22 years, the Steelers went 226-124-3 in the regular season and won the AFC North ten times. That period also saw them make the playoffs 14 times. These numbers show why Colbert, alongside other honorees, former defensive back J.T. Thomas and longtime player-turned-commentator Craig Wolfley, joined the Steelers’ Hall of Honor Class of 2026.
Former first-round pick Thomas was a part of four Super Bowl-winning squads, playing for the Steelers from 1973 through 1981. His late interception of Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler in the 1974 AFC Championship sealed the triumph that earned the Steelers their first Super Bowl appearance.
Wolfley was a 1980 fifth-round pick who spent 10 seasons with the Steelers as a guard and tackle. He featured in 129 regular-season games, with 102 starts for the Steelers. Wolfley passed in 2025. The class was officially inducted on Friday night at a dinner at Acrisure Stadium. All three will be celebrated again on Sunday when the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals.