PITTSBURGH — Hall of Famers Bobby Layne, John Henry Johnson, Ernie Stautner and Bill Dudley lead the Pittsburgh Steelers' legends team, chosen by the franchise as its best players from its founding in 1933 until 1970.

The team honors those who played prominent roles in the club's history but were not part of their four Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1970s.

"There were a lot of great Steelers prior to 1970 who were as good as today's superstars, but fewer people got to see them play," Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said.

Chosen on offense were quarterback Layne, running backs Johnson and Dick Hoak, end Elbie Nickel, wide receivers Roy Jefferson and Ray Mathews, center Chuck Cherundolo, guards Mike Sandusky and Bruce Van Dyke, and tackles Charley Bradshaw and Frank Varrichione.

Selected on defense were linemen Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Ben McGee, Bill McPeak and Stautner, linebackers Dale Dodril, Myron Pottios and Jerry Shipkey and defensive backs Jack Butler, Dudley, Howard Hartley and Clendon Thomas.

Also selected were punter Pat Brady and kicker Armand Niccolai.

Layne, the former Detroit Lions star, led the Steelers to a 33-28-3 record from 1958-62 — the club's best stretch until its Super Bowl days. Johnson was the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history when he retired in 1966.

Lipscomb, a two-time NFL champion with Baltimore, and Stautner were arguably the top defensive linemen in team history except for Hall of Famer Joe Greene.

Lipscomb was known as the first player at his position to actively pursue running backs and wide receivers all over the field. Stautner was a nine-time Pro Bowl player — Greene was picked 10 times — and remains the only player in team history to have his jersey retired.

Butler didn't play high school football, yet became a four-time Pro Bowl defensive back. He ran Blesto, the NFL's first multiteam scouting bureau, for 44 years until retiring this year at age 80.

Dudley played in an era when top players went both ways and, in 1946 led the NFL in rushing (604 yards), interceptions (10) and punt return yardage (385). He was the last Steelers player to lead the NFL in rushing.

The team was chosen by an eight-member panel as part of the Steelers' 75th anniversary celebration. The Steelers will wear throwback jerseys for two games this season, including Sunday's home opener against Buffalo.