Charles Andrew "Andy" Russell (born October 29, 1941, Detroit, Michigan) wore number 34 as an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963 and from 1966-1976. He was an early member of Pittsburgh's famed Steel Curtain defense, and was named the Steelers' MVP in 1971. He made seven Pro Bowl appearances--in 1969 and from 1971 through 1976--and earned two Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X.

Russell played football for, and earned a degree in economics from, the University of Missouri. At Missouri he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

As a freshman in high school, he moved from the New York area to St. Louis, attending Ladue High School. Having never played football in the East, he became a starter as a sophomore, playing end. In his junior and senior year, he played fullback and linebacker, earning all-state honors in his senior year. Heavily recruited by out-state universities, he selected Missouri and began a tradition of St. Louis area football players attending their home-state university under Coach Dan Devine.

Coming from a business oriented famiy (his father was a senior executive with Monsanto), Russell has had great success off the field as a partner of Laurel Mountain in Pittsburgh, involved in municipal finance and investment banking. Russell is the author of two books, A Steeler Odyssey and An Odd Steelers Journey.

External links

• Official homepage of The Andy Russell Charitable Foundation.
• Andy Russell statistics at databasefootball.com

wife Nancy

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