DAILY DIRT: Fifty years ago, the Steelers may have put together the best draft in NFL history

I have discovered I am older than Chris Berman. I’m not sure how I feel about that … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 941 of The Daily Dirt.

1. I’m sure there’s probably a counterpoint to my point, but I ask you, has one NFL team ever had a better draft than the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974?

That was the year the Steelers came up with FIVE Hall of Famers. Five!

Here’s how the draft that laid a major part of the foundation for the Steelers’ dynasty came together:

• First round: Wide receiver Lynn Swann (Hall of Fame 2001).
• Second round: Linebacker Jack Lambert (Hall of Fame 1990).
• Fourth round: Wide receiver John Stallworth (Hall of Fame 2002).
• Fifth round: Center Mike Webster (Hall of Fame 1997).
• Undrafted signing: Defensive back Donnie Shell (Hall of Fame 2020).

Those players led Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl wins and garnered a combined 16 all-pro selections.

2. Did you know (Part 8) …

• That the official bird of Redondo Beach, Calif., is the Goodyear Blimp.
• The “Q” is the only letter that does not appear in any state name. (If you’re wondering, Arizona has the “z”.)
• That “strengths” is the longest word in the English language with just one vowel.
• That the filling of a Kit Kat candy bar is made from … other damaged Kit Kats. (This might be the most important thing I learn today.)
• That there are 118 ridges on the side of a dime, 119 on a quarter and 150 on a 50-cent piece.

3. This week’s top celebrity birthdays include:

• Singer Billy Joel turns 75 on Thursday. Considered his first hit, “Piano Man,’ only reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• U2 front man Bono will be 64 on Friday. The Irish singer-songwriter’s real name is Paul David Hewson.
• Longtime ESPN star Chris Berman turns 69, also on Friday. Back-back-back-back-back-back ,,,
• Singer Donovan joins the Friday celebrations. He will be 78. The first Donovan .45 I bought was “Hurdy Gurdy Man”.
• Musician Steve Winwood celebrates No. 76 on Sunday. While you a chance, take it.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I’m still amazed by that Kit Kat fact.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He uses far less hair dye than Chris Berman.