- 12-year NFL veteran played 104 games for Pittsburgh Steelers
- Transitioned to radio broadcasting for 25+ years after retirement
- Diagnosed with cancer months before passing
- Co-hosted iconic Steelers show with Tunch Ilkin until 2021
- Fifth-place finisher in 1981 World's Strongest Man contest
The Pittsburgh sports community lost a towering figure this week with the passing of Craig Wolfley, whose gruff yet affectionate voice became synonymous with Steelers football for generations of fans. Wolfley's unique journey from trench warrior to microphone maestro exemplified the blue-collar ethos of the city he cherished.
Selected in the fifth round of the 1980 draft, Wolfley anchored Pittsburgh's offensive line during Chuck Noll's final dynasty years. His 104 starts across ten seasons placed him among the most durable guards of his era, a testament to his legendary strength - evidenced by his 1981 World's Strongest Man appearance where he outlifted professional giants.
Following retirement in 1991, Wolfley reinvented himself as a broadcaster, developing an uncanny ability to translate complex blocking schemes into digestible insights. His 25-year partnership with Tunch Ilkin became the gold standard for NFL radio teams, blending technical analysis with locker-room humor that resonated with Pittsburgh's working-class fanbase.
Three key insights define Wolfley's legacy: First, his transition from player to broadcaster mirrored the NFL's 1990s media expansion, showcasing how ex-athletes could shape fan education. Second, his community-focused approach - from owning a boxing gym to charity work - highlighted the evolving role of sports figures as civic leaders. Third, his cancer battle underscored the urgent need for improved healthcare support for retired NFL players facing late-onset conditions.
A regional case study of Pittsburgh's sports media reveals Wolfley's profound impact. When WXDX-FM revamped its Steelers coverage in 2004, Wolfley's chemistry with play-by-play voice Bill Hillgrove boosted ratings by 34% within two seasons, according to Arbitron reports. His signature catchphrases like Backing the Biscuit(describing quarterback protection) entered local lexicon, demonstrating how broadcasters can shape football vernacular.
Steelers president Art Rooney II encapsulated Wolfley's dual legacy: He blocked for four Super Bowl teams, then helped narrate two more championships. Few have given more to this franchise.Beyond statistics, Wolfley's self-deprecating humor - famously responding Better than I deserveto fan greetings - cemented his everyman appeal in a city that values humility above stardom.
As Pittsburgh mourns, Wolfley's story offers crucial lessons about sports media evolution. His ability to balance technical expertise with relatable storytelling paved the way for today's analyst hybrids like Ryan Clark and Devin McCourty. Moreover, his cancer diagnosis highlights the NFL Alumni Association's ongoing push for expanded healthcare benefits, particularly for players from the pre-1993 collective bargaining agreement era.
Wolfley's passing creates a void in Steelers coverage, but his influence persists through six children and a broadcasting protégé program he established in 2018. As the team prepares to honor him during their season opener, fans will remember the man who made them feel like they were sitting in the film room with number 68 - a lineman's lineman who became Pittsburgh's storyteller.