Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Interceptions Leaders starts with Mel Blount, the franchise record-holder with 57 regular-season interceptions. For a franchise built on the Steel Curtain, Hall of Fame defenders and physical secondary play, Blount leading this list feels exactly right.
Jack Butler ranks second with 52 interceptions, while Donnie Shell sits third with 51. Rod Woodson, Dwayne Woodruff, Mike Wagner, Troy Polamalu, Jack Ham, Darren Perry and Jack Lambert round out a top 10 filled with Hall of Fame names, Super Bowl champions and Steelers defensive legends.
For the full team index, visit our Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This list uses regular-season interceptions recorded with the Pittsburgh Steelers only.
Table of Contents
- How This Steelers Interceptions List Works
- 1. Mel Blount — 57 Interceptions
- 2. Jack Butler — 52 Interceptions
- 3. Donnie Shell — 51 Interceptions
- 4. Rod Woodson — 38 Interceptions
- 5. Dwayne Woodruff — 37 Interceptions
- 6. Mike Wagner — 36 Interceptions
- 7. Troy Polamalu — 32 Interceptions
- 8. Jack Ham — 32 Interceptions
- 9. Darren Perry — 32 Interceptions
- 10. Jack Lambert — 28 Interceptions
- Biggest Takeaways
- Interceptions vs. Steelers Defensive Legacy
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Steelers and NFL Rankings
How This Steelers Interceptions List Works
This list ranks the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time interceptions leaders by regular-season defensive interceptions recorded with the Steelers franchise. It does not include playoff interceptions, preseason stats or interceptions recorded with another NFL team.
That matters for players like Rod Woodson, who also played elsewhere after leaving Pittsburgh. For this leaderboard, only his Steelers interceptions count.
This is a stat-leader post, so the full table goes beyond the top 10 shown in the main graphic. The player sections focus on the top 10, while the expanded table adds more context for the Steelers defensive backs, linebackers and two-way players who sit deeper in the franchise record book.
Last updated: 2026 offseason. No active Steelers player is currently inside the top 10, but the expanded leaderboard includes more recent defensive backs from the 2000s and 2010s.
1. Mel Blount — 57 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1970–1983 with Pittsburgh, franchise-record 57 interceptions, 736 interception return yards, two interception return touchdowns, four Super Bowl championships, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback.
Mel Blount is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time interceptions leader with 57. He was one of the most physical cornerbacks in NFL history and a major reason Pittsburgh’s defense became so intimidating in the 1970s.
Blount’s size, strength and coverage ability changed the way receivers were defended. He could press, disrupt routes and still make plays on the ball when quarterbacks challenged him.
His 57 interceptions remain the franchise record, and his Hall of Fame legacy makes him one of the greatest defensive players in Steelers history.
2. Jack Butler — 52 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1951–1959 with Pittsburgh, 52 interceptions, 827 interception return yards, four interception return touchdowns, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback.
Jack Butler ranks second in Steelers career interceptions with 52. He played long before the Steel Curtain era, but his ball production still stands near the very top of the franchise record book.
Butler was a smart, aggressive defensive back who had a strong feel for reading quarterbacks. His 52 interceptions came in only nine seasons, which makes the total even more impressive.
Decades later, only Mel Blount has more interceptions in Steelers history. Butler’s place near the top shows how great he was in Pittsburgh’s early years.
3. Donnie Shell — 51 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1974–1987 with Pittsburgh, 51 interceptions, 490 interception return yards, two interception return touchdowns, four Super Bowl championships, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety.
Donnie Shell ranks third in Steelers career interceptions with 51. As a strong safety, that number is incredible.
Shell was part of the Steel Curtain era, but he was more than just a hard hitter. He had strong instincts, great timing and enough range to create takeaways from the back end of the defense.
His 51 interceptions place him just behind Mel Blount and Jack Butler. For a safety, that is one of the strongest interception résumés in franchise history.
4. Rod Woodson — 38 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1987–1996 with Pittsburgh, 38 interceptions, 779 interception return yards, five interception return touchdowns, 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back.
Rod Woodson ranks fourth in Steelers career interceptions with 38. His full NFL career became one of the greatest defensive back résumés ever, and his Pittsburgh chapter was already elite.
Woodson had rare speed, return ability and coverage versatility. He could erase receivers, create turnovers and flip the field as soon as the ball was in his hands.
His five interception return touchdowns with Pittsburgh show how dangerous he was after the catch. Woodson was not just getting takeaways; he was turning them into game-changing plays.
5. Dwayne Woodruff — 37 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1979–1985 and 1987–1990 with Pittsburgh, 37 interceptions, 689 interception return yards and three interception return touchdowns.
Dwayne Woodruff ranks fifth in Steelers career interceptions with 37. He is one of the more underrated names on this leaderboard because he played between the dynasty years and the modern era.
Woodruff gave Pittsburgh steady cornerback play for more than a decade. His ability to create turnovers kept him near the top of the franchise interception list.
With 37 interceptions, Woodruff sits ahead of Mike Wagner, Troy Polamalu, Jack Ham, Darren Perry and Jack Lambert.
6. Mike Wagner — 36 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1971–1980 with Pittsburgh, 36 interceptions, 491 interception return yards, four Super Bowl championships and two Pro Bowl selections.
Mike Wagner ranks sixth in Steelers career interceptions with 36. He was one of the key defensive backs during Pittsburgh’s 1970s dynasty.
Wagner played in a secondary loaded with talent, but he still built a standout career of his own. He had strong instincts and consistently found ways to make plays on the football.
His 36 interceptions and four Super Bowl rings make him one of the most important defensive backs in Steelers history.
7. Troy Polamalu — 32 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2003–2014 with Pittsburgh, 32 interceptions, 398 interception return yards, three interception return touchdowns, eight Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, two Super Bowl championships and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety.
Troy Polamalu is listed seventh on the graphic with 32 interceptions, tied statistically with Jack Ham and Darren Perry. His impact went far beyond the interception column.
Polamalu was one of the most unpredictable defenders the NFL has ever seen. He could line up deep, attack the line of scrimmage, blitz, cover, jump routes and create chaos before the snap.
His 32 interceptions are strong, but his true value was the way he changed how offenses prepared for Pittsburgh. He remains one of the greatest safeties in NFL history.
8. Jack Ham — 32 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1971–1982 with Pittsburgh, 32 interceptions, 218 interception return yards, one interception return touchdown, four Super Bowl championships, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.
Jack Ham is listed eighth on the graphic with 32 interceptions, tied statistically with Troy Polamalu and Darren Perry. For a linebacker, that total is outstanding.
Ham was one of the smartest and most complete outside linebackers in NFL history. He had coverage skills that made him different from many linebackers of his era.
His 32 interceptions show how valuable he was in pass defense. Ham could diagnose plays quickly, drop into coverage and punish quarterbacks who tried to force throws into his area.
9. Darren Perry — 32 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1992–1998 with Pittsburgh, 32 interceptions, 574 interception return yards and one interception return touchdown.
Darren Perry is listed ninth on the graphic with 32 interceptions, tied statistically with Troy Polamalu and Jack Ham. He was one of the most productive Steelers defensive backs of the 1990s.
Perry made an immediate impact in Pittsburgh’s secondary. He had range, ball skills and a strong understanding of where quarterbacks wanted to go with the football.
His 32 interceptions in seven Steelers seasons show how quickly he produced. Even among franchise legends, Perry’s takeaway numbers hold up extremely well.
10. Jack Lambert — 28 Interceptions
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1974–1984 with Pittsburgh, 28 interceptions, 243 interception return yards, four Super Bowl championships, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.
Jack Lambert rounds out the Steelers top 10 with 28 interceptions. Like Jack Ham, Lambert’s presence on an interceptions leaderboard is impressive because he was a linebacker.
Lambert was the emotional center of the Steel Curtain defense. He played with intensity, toughness and range, giving Pittsburgh one of the most feared middle linebackers in NFL history.
His 28 interceptions add another layer to his greatness. Lambert was not just a run defender and tone-setter; he could also make plays in coverage.
Biggest Takeaways From the Steelers Interceptions List
The biggest takeaway is that Mel Blount still owns the franchise interceptions record with 57. His physical style and ball production made him one of the most influential cornerbacks ever.
The second takeaway is how strong the top three are. Blount, Jack Butler and Donnie Shell all finished with more than 50 interceptions as Steelers, which gives Pittsburgh one of the strongest defensive-back record-book trios in NFL history.
The third takeaway is the number of linebackers on the list. Jack Ham and Jack Lambert both rank inside the top 10, showing that Pittsburgh’s great defenses did not create takeaways only through the secondary.
Interceptions vs. Steelers Defensive Legacy
Interceptions do not tell the full story of Steelers defense, but this leaderboard explains a lot about why Pittsburgh’s defensive reputation has lasted for generations. The Steelers have always been known for pressure, toughness and physicality, but the best versions of their defense also forced quarterbacks into mistakes.
Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, Mike Wagner, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert all connect directly to the 1970s dynasty. Rod Woodson and Darren Perry represent the 1990s defensive transition. Troy Polamalu connects the modern championship era to the older Steelers standard.
That is why this list works as more than a stat table. It is a snapshot of how Pittsburgh has built defenses across eras: physical corners, smart safeties, rangy linebackers and enough ball production to turn defense into offense.
Full Ranking Table: Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by regular-season interceptions with the Steelers only. Troy Polamalu, Jack Ham and Darren Perry are tied with 32 interceptions each, while the expanded table includes every player through the 14-interception tie group.
| Rank | Player | Position | Team Years | Interceptions | INT Yards | INT TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mel Blount | CB | 1970–1983 | 57 | 736 | 2 |
| 2 | Jack Butler | CB | 1951–1959 | 52 | 827 | 4 |
| 3 | Donnie Shell | S | 1974–1987 | 51 | 490 | 2 |
| 4 | Rod Woodson | CB | 1987–1996 | 38 | 779 | 5 |
| 5 | Dwayne Woodruff | CB | 1979–1985, 1987–1990 | 37 | 689 | 3 |
| 6 | Mike Wagner | S | 1971–1980 | 36 | 491 | 0 |
| T-7 | Jack Ham | LB | 1971–1982 | 32 | 218 | 1 |
| T-7 | Darren Perry | S | 1992–1998 | 32 | 574 | 1 |
| T-7 | Troy Polamalu | S | 2003–2014 | 32 | 398 | 3 |
| 10 | Jack Lambert | LB | 1974–1984 | 28 | 243 | 0 |
| T-11 | Glen Edwards | S | 1971–1977 | 25 | 652 | 2 |
| T-11 | Howard Hartley | DB | 1949–1952 | 25 | 267 | 0 |
| 13 | Clendon Thomas | DB | 1962–1968 | 23 | 233 | 0 |
| 14 | Deshea Townsend | CB | 1998–2009 | 21 | 190 | 3 |
| T-15 | Chad Scott | CB | 1997, 1999–2004 | 19 | 368 | 4 |
| T-15 | J.T. Thomas | CB | 1973–1977, 1979–1981 | 19 | 147 | 0 |
| T-15 | Dewayne Washington | CB | 1998–2003 | 19 | 311 | 2 |
| T-18 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | S | 2019–2025 | 18 | 344 | 3 |
| T-18 | Andy Russell | LB | 1963, 1966–1976 | 18 | 238 | 1 |
| T-18 | Marv Woodson | CB | 1964–1969 | 18 | 250 | 2 |
| 21 | John Rowser | DB | 1970–1973 | 17 | 282 | 2 |
| T-22 | Thomas Everett | S | 1987–1991 | 16 | 176 | 0 |
| T-22 | Carnell Lake | S | 1989–1998 | 16 | 161 | 3 |
| T-24 | Brent Alexander | S | 2000–2003 | 15 | 170 | 0 |
| T-24 | Bill Dudley | HB/DB | 1942, 1945–1946 | 15 | 349 | 1 |
| T-24 | Bryan Hinkle | LB | 1982–1993 | 15 | 205 | 2 |
| T-24 | Paul Martha | DB | 1964–1969 | 15 | 165 | 0 |
| T-28 | Dick Alban | DB | 1956–1959 | 14 | 200 | 0 |
| T-28 | Dean Derby | DB | 1957–1961 | 14 | 167 | 0 |
| T-28 | Brady Keys | DB | 1961–1967 | 14 | 76 | 0 |
| T-28 | Ike Taylor | CB | 2003–2014 | 14 | 151 | 1 |
FAQ: Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Who has the most interceptions in Pittsburgh Steelers history?
Mel Blount has the most interceptions in Pittsburgh Steelers history with 57 regular-season interceptions.
Who is second in Steelers career interceptions?
Jack Butler ranks second in Steelers career interceptions with 52 interceptions.
Who is third in Pittsburgh Steelers all-time interceptions?
Donnie Shell ranks third with 51 interceptions for Pittsburgh.
Where does Rod Woodson rank in Steelers interceptions?
Rod Woodson ranks fourth in Steelers career interceptions with 38 interceptions.
Which Steelers players are tied with 32 interceptions?
Jack Ham, Darren Perry and Troy Polamalu are tied with 32 interceptions each.
Which Steelers linebacker has the most interceptions?
Jack Ham has the most interceptions among Steelers linebackers on this list with 32 interceptions. Jack Lambert is next with 28.
Which Steelers player has the most interception return touchdowns?
Rod Woodson has the most interception return touchdowns among the top Steelers interception leaders with five during his Pittsburgh career.
Are playoff interceptions included in this Steelers ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season interceptions with the Steelers only. Playoff interceptions are not included.
Conclusion: Mel Blount Still Owns the Steelers Interceptions Record
Mel Blount remains the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time interceptions leader with 57. Jack Butler ranks second with 52, while Donnie Shell is third with 51.
The leaderboard shows the depth of Pittsburgh’s defensive history. Blount, Butler, Shell, Woodson, Polamalu, Ham and Lambert are all Hall of Fame-level names, while Dwayne Woodruff, Mike Wagner and Darren Perry add even more secondary production across different eras.
Blount’s record remains the standard. His combination of physical coverage, ball skills, championships and historic influence makes him the perfect name at the top of the Steelers interceptions list.
More Steelers and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best Pittsburgh Steelers players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related Steelers pages for best Pittsburgh Steelers defensive players of all-time, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time sacks leaders, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing yards leaders, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time rushing yards leaders and Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving yards leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out our best NFL cornerbacks of all-time, best NFL safeties of all-time, best NFL defensive players of all-time and the NFL team all-time player rankings hub. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
