Former 10 year NFL veteran leads Steelers' countdown to kickoff: Day No. 96
· Yahoo Sports
96 days from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Atlanta Falcons at home in the Steel City.
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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.
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.
Last five Steelers to wear No. 96
- Daniel Ekuale, 2025
- Isaiah Buggs, 2019-2021
- Leterrius Walton, 2015-2018
- Cam Thomas, 2014
- Evander "Ziggy" Hood, 2009-2013
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.
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