Pittsburgh Steelers
Franchise History
The Start
Pittsburgh’s NFL team was then known as the Pirates played their first game in 1933, losing to the New York Giants 23-2. The Pirates never finished higher than 2nd place in their division. They changed their name to the “Steelers” in 1940. After the season that year Art Rooney sold the Steelers to Alexis Thompson. In 1942 they would have their first winning season in franchise history with a record of 7-4. During World War II, the Steelers suffered a shortage of players and had to merge with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943, the team being known as the “Steagles”. In 1945, the Steelers became their own team again and in 1947 they made it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history being tied for first in the division with the Philadelphia Eagles 8-4. In the tie-breaking playoff game, the Steelers would end up losing 21-0. This would be the Steelers last play off game for the next 25 years.
The Dynasty (The 1970s)
1970 was the beginning of a turning point for Pittsburgh. They moved into Three Rivers Stadium and Terry Bradshaw was drafted first overall as starting quarterback. Although the didn’t show much improvement with a 5-9 record, they would be met with good fortune in the upcoming years. In 1972, Pitsburgh finished an outstanding season with a 11-3 record, landing them in first place in the AFC Central and a spot in the playoff game for the first time since 1947. They went all the way to the AFC Championship but lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins 21-17. The trend would continue in 1973, where they started 8-1. They finished the season 10-4 but lost the first round of the playoffs to the Oakland Raiders. In 1974 the Steelers adopted the “Steel Curtain” defense and finished 10-3-1. After defeating Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders with ease in the playoffs and met the Vikings in New Orleans for Super Bowl IX. The Steelers came out victorious winning their first Super Bowl 16-6 in a defensive low scoring game. The team only got better in 1975 by starting off the season with an 11 game winning streak eventually beating the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship and going to the Superbowl for the second time playing against the Dallas Cowboys. They won Superbowl after Bradshaw threw for a 64-yard touchdown pass 21-17. The Steelers made it back to the Super Bowl in 1978, having a rematch against the Cowboys. The Steelers won Super Bowl XIII 35-31.
The 1980s
During the 1980s the Super Bowl era for Steelers ended. They struggled for win in 1980 due to a number of injuries in finishing the season 9-7. From 1981-1983, the Steelers won some division titles but they found themselves hit with the retirement of their key players. The team didn’t average above .500 for the rest of the 80s.
Bill Cowher (1990s – 2007)
Bill Cowher replaced Chuck Noll after he retired in 1992. He would lead the Steelers to the playoffs for his first six seasons. He would finish his career with the Steelers going to the playoffs in 10 of his 15 seasons. In 2005, Cowher would lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers became the third team in the NFL to win five Super Bowl rings. Cowher would retire on January 7, 2007.
2007 – Present
With the retirement of Bill Cowher, the Steelers announced on January 22, 2007 that Mike Tomlin would be the new head coach of the Steelers. Tomlin would be the first African American to be named head coach of the Steelers and would lead the Steelers to their second Super Bowl this decade winning against the Aizona Cardinals 27-23 on February 1, 2009.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason gets hit by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons, right, on an incomplete.
Logos
The Steelers logo is based on the “Steelmark,” originally designed by U.S. Steel, but is now owned by American Iron and Steel Insitute and was introduced in 1962. The logo consists of the word “Steelers” which are surround by three asteroids, which were to mean “Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure and widens your world.” Eventually, the asteroids colors represented the ingredients used in the steel-making process: yellow for coal, red for iron ore, and blue for scrap steel. Since the official Steelmark logo only has the word “Steel,” the team was requested and was given permission to add “ers” in 1963.
Mascot
The Steelers mascot, Steely McBeam, was introduced in 2007 after a fan’s suggestion of the mascot’s name was selected out of a pool of 70,000 suggestions as a part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the team. Diane Roles chose the name Steely McBeam which was meant to represent the industrial heritage of Pittsburgh. The “Mc” is for the Rooney family’s Irish history, and the Beam is for the steel beams produced by Pittsburgh.
Fanbase
Steelers are known to have a large fanbase resulting in their unbelievable sell out streak of 299 consecutive games. The Steelers have sold out every one of their home games since the 1972 season. Other studies show that the Steelers have the highest percentage of female fans. Many people that Steelers widespread fanbase is the result of the collapse of the steel industry in Pittsburgh causing many people to move elsewhere in hopes of a new job.
Heinz Field, current home of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pro Football Hall of Famers
Bert Bell (1963)
Mel Blount (1989)
Terry Bradshaw (1989)
Len Dawson (1987)
Bill Dudley (1966)
Joe Greene (1987)
Jack Ham (1988)
Franco Harris (1990)
Robert Hubbard (1963)
John Henry Johnson (1987)
Walt Kiesling (1966)
Jack Lambert (1990)
Bobby Layne (1967)
Johnny McNally (1963)
Marion Motley (1968)
Chuck Noll (1993)
Art Rooney (1964)
Dan Rooney (2000)
John Stallworth (2002)
Ernie Stautner (1969)
Lynn Swann (2001)
Mike Webster (1997)
Rob Woodson (2009)
Super Bowl MVPs
Super Bowl IX – Franco Harris
Super Bowl X – Lynn Swann
Super Bowl XIII – Terry Bradshaw
Super Bowl XIV – Terry Bradshaw
Super Bowl XL – Hines Ward
Super Bowl XLIII – Santonio Holmes
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