When quarterback Aaron Rodgers first signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, there was intrigue over what jersey number he would wear. For 18 years in Green Bay, Rodgers wore No. 12.

But that number has a rich history in Pittsburgh with the Steelers. While not being officially retired by the organization, no one has worn No. 12 since Hall of Fame and four-time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw. Would Rodgers interfere with the legacy of that number?

Rodgers eventually took No. 8, the digit he wore for two years in New York. But while the stories of that number in Steelers history are far less legendary, they are still fascinating. Somehow, despite only eight players having worn that number in franchise history, their collective stories span from World War II to the present.

These are the stories of the eight players who wore No. 8 before Aaron Rodgers. In today’s edition, Tommy Maddox.

It would take 60 years for someone to wear No. 8 after Elmer Kolberg sported it in 1941. When he signed with the Steelers in 2001, quarterback Tommy Maddox became the man to finally end that drought.

But Maddox had a long road before he arrived in Pittsburgh. Maddox played two years of college ball at quarterback for the UCLA Bruins, totaling 22 games.

In 11 games in 1990, he threw for 2,682 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on a UCLA team that went went 5-6.

The following year, most of his numbers slipped a little. In another 11 games in 1991, Maddox threw for 2,505 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. But his completion percentage rose from 55.7% to 61%, and the Bruins posted a 9-3 record that season, including a win in the John Hancock Bowl that season.

After just two years, he declared for the NFL Draft, and in 1992, was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Denver Broncos. The drafting of Maddox was controversial at the time. He was taken to serve as the backup potential successor to Broncos legend John Elway.