96 days from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Atlanta Falcons at home in the Steel City.
In the spirit of the countdown to kickoff, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 96 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.
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Steelers current No. 96 wearer: DL Gabriel Rubio
Selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Rubio is currently wearing No. 96.
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Brian Fluharty, Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 4: Thursday Night Football, Oct. 1, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Barry Reeger, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris)
(SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network, SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games (Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)
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Takeaways from the Steelers 2026 regular-season schedule release
Week 10: Sunday Night Football, Nov. 15, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer, Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 12: Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Denver Broncos, 3:00 p.m. ET (Black Friday Game)
(Ron Chenoy, Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 13: Sunday Night Football, Dec. 6, vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 14: Monday Night Football, Dec. 14, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 16: TBD, vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD
(Allison Lawhon, Imagn Images)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Philip G. Pavely, Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports)
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Steelers’ 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)Last five Steelers to wear No. 96
Leterrius Walton, 2015-2018
Evander “Ziggy” Hood, 2009-2013
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the New York Jets during the game on September 16, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the New York Jets during the game on September 16, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after sacking the quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game on October 7, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 28: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a tackle during the game against the Washington Redskins on October 28, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
3 Sep 1995: Defensive end Brentson Buckner #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers raises his arms after a big play against the Detroit Lions at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Lions 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Rick Ste
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
29 Sep 1996: Defensive lineman Brentson Buckner of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates recovering a Houston Oilers fumble during the first quarter at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
Aug 1, 1998; Canton, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mike Vrabel (96) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Pro Football Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium. The Buccaneers beat the Steelers 30-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
(Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE, Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
CLEVELAND – NOVEMBER 3: Nose tackle Kendrick Clancy #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the field before the NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 3, 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Browns 23-20. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
(Tom Pidgeon, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 02: Defensive end Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after recovering a fourth quarter fumble during the Steelers 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 2, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Rob Carr, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 8: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is introduced before their game against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field on September 8, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Vincent Pugliese/Getty Images)
(Vincent Pugliese, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 17 : Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with Ziggy Hood #96 during the game against the Detroit Lions on November 17, 2013 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 08: L.T. Walton #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after recovering a fumble during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
Aug 12, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs (96) runs off the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
(Eric Hartline, Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
Sep 14, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (96) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (96) pressures Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)
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Steelers countdown to kickoff photos: Recent players to wear No. 96
Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale (96) reacts after an apparent injury during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packersat Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)Best No. 96 in Steelers history: DT Ziggy Hood
While No. 96 doesn’t have the storied history of the other three previous entries in our Steelers Wire countdown to kickoff, former defensive tackle Evander “Ziggy” Hood is the best to wear No. 96.
Following the Steelers’ Super Bowl XLIII victory, Hood was drafted by Pittsburgh with the final pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Hood appeared in 80 games and made 46 starts with the Steelers until he left the team for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. He played for the Chicago Bears, Washington, and Miami Dolphins from 2015-2018.
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Regarded by his teammates as a true professional who possessed a strong work ethic both on and off the field, Hood is deserving of being named the best Steeler to ever wear No. 96.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers 2026 season countdown: Top players to wear No. 96