{"id":118214,"date":"2026-02-19T17:26:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/118214\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T17:26:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:26:16","slug":"mike-wagner-a-four-time-super-bowl-champion-with-the-pittsburgh-steelers-dead-at-76","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/118214\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Wagner, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, dead at 76"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 07:06 EST, 19 February 2026 | Updated: 07:06 EST, 19 February 2026 <\/p>\n

Mike Wagner, a four-time Super Bowl<\/a> champion, died this week at the age of 76, the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> confirmed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wagner was a safety on Pittsburgh’s famed ‘Steel Curtain’ defense during the team’s great dynasty of the 1970s, earning two Pro Bowl nods with 36 career interceptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Wagner, a tremendous player and an integral part of some of the most successful teams in Pittsburgh Steelers history,’ Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

‘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.<\/p>\n

‘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.’<\/p>\n

An Illinois<\/a> native,\u00a0Wagner played college football at Western Illinois and was an NAIA All-American pick in 1969.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Mike <\/p>\n

Mike Wagner, a four-time Super Bowl champion, died this week at the age of 76<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The former safety was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fames ‘Steel Curtain’ defense<\/p>\n

He went on to be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1971 NFL Draft, starting in all 12 games as a rookie.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following the 1971 season, which saw Pittsburgh finish at 6-8, the Steelers ran off nine straight winning seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During that run, the team established itself as an NFL dynasty, clinching a playoff berth eight times and winning four Super Bowls.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a 10-year career from 1971-1980, Wagner played in 119 games with 116 starts. He recorded at least two interceptions in every season except one (1977) and led the NFL in picks in 1973 with a career-best eight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After hanging up his cleats following the end of the 1980 season, Wagner would go on to be inducted into both the Steelers and Pittsburgh Sports Hall of Fames.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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