Center of attention

{GALLERY}Just weeks after he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Pittsburgh Steelers center Dermontti Dawson sent numerous mementos from his career to the Hall of Fame. Included in the collection of memorabilia was the seven-time All-Pro’s helmet he wore at the start of his illustrious career and the jersey and pants from the 1994 Pro Bowl.

Dawson, drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft, followed in the footsteps of another Hall of Fame center, Mike Webster. He took over the starting center role in his second season and remained at the spot for the remainder of his 13-year career during which time he was widely regarded as the finest center of his era.

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 4 along with five other members of the new Class of 2012 – Jack Butler, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, and Willie Roaf. Dawson and Butler now bring the total number of long-time Steelers in the Hall of Fame to 20. Only the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are more represented in the Hall of Fame than Pittsburgh.

Also included in the donation from Dawson, which will be placed on exhibit inside the museum in the coming days, are his football spikes, three Pro Bowl watches, All-Madden jacket, his well-worn Steelers’ shoulder pads and pants, and two trophies. Dawson also donated six commemorative footballs including a pair of game balls he received after two of the more lopsided wins in Steelers history, a 43-0 win over the Cleveland Browns in 1999 and a 42-6 downing of the St. Louis Rams in 1996.

Dawson will be formally enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 4. Tickets and fan packages for the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival are on sale now. Tickets>>>

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