The Final 50 Countdown: Part One

I’ve been posting from 304 Collector Corner for over five years now. But I’m well aware my reach isn’t global, so this may be the first time you’re hearing of my Steelers project.

When I started 304 Collector Corner, my goal was to post my current collection. However, I saw the opportunity to take my collection in a new direction.

My goal became collecting a rookie card of every single Steelers player in franchise history. But, I learned that there are approximately 500 players in team history that never received a trading card.

Nonetheless, I wasn’t going to let that barrier stop me. I had to get creative. My project evolved into collecting an item that mentions or depicts each member of Steelers history.

I’ll be the first to admit the rules of my collection aren’t bound by a strict standard. That’s the beauty of collecting.

The Final 50

I’m now down to the final 50 players I need to complete my journey: obtaining an item that depicts or mentions all 1,682 (as of 10/23/25) players of Steelers history that have played at least one game for the franchise.

In this brief series, I’ll be showcasing these players and their item as I inch closer and closer to completing my ultimate goal.

Now, throughout these 50 players, it’s likely that these names may be mostly unfamiliar— and that’s okay. They were to me too when I started this journey. I’m a firm believer in honoring every member of the franchise, no matter how long or short their tenure was.

Joe Matesic

Matesic pictured alongside Indiana teammate Charley Rasmic in the 1950 Complete College Football Guide

Matesic was drafted in 1953 by the New York Giants while playing for the Pearl Harbor Marines team. He appeared in one NFL regular season game for the Steelers in 1954.

The biggest story of Matesic’s career was his eligibility scandal in college, where after dropping out of Indiana, he enrolled at Arizona State under his brother’s name.

Alex Smail

Smail, also pictured in the 1950 Complete College Football Guide

Smail is another short lived Steeler who played one game at linebacker in 1952. He was originally signed to Lions camp in 1951, not far from his college home of Detroit Mercy.

Dick Tomlinson & Truett Smith

Tomlinson & Smith pictured beside each other in the 11/25/51 Steelers v. Eagles program

We get a two-for-one special in this 1951 program! It’s amazing seeing two players I needed pictured right beside each other.

Tomlinson started 24 games at guard for the Steelers in 1950 and 1951, his only two NFL seasons. Smith also played for the Steelers in 1950 and 1951, primarily serving as a blocking back over 20 games.

Lou Levanti

The 1952 Steelers Media Guide

Levanti may not be pictured in the 1952 Steelers Media Guide, but he is listed with the centers! Levanti was drafted in 1947 by the Rams but played his only NFL games in 1952 with the Steelers.

Ronald Stanley

2004 Michigan State v. Central Michigan ticket stub, featuring Ronald Stanley

I’m never opposed to picking up college items to honor a player. Again, the beauty of collecting is that I make my rules.

Stanley was mostly stashed on the Steelers practice squad over 2 seasons, but he did play one game for the team in 2006.

Bill Mackrides

Mackrides, top middle, listed in the 1950 Philadelphia Eagles v. College All-Stars official game program

And finally, Bill Mackrides! You’ve already seen that I’ll pick up college items, but I’m also not opposed to collecting pieces from a player’s other teams.

Mackrides started 3 games for Pittsburgh in his final NFL season. He was primarily a reserve for the Eagles in his career, but did win two championships in Philadelphia.