 |
The Steelers, the fifth oldest team in the NFL, were founded in 1933 by Art Rooney. Originally the pirates, Rooney changed the name to Steelers in 1940 to represent Pittsburgh’s heritage of steel making. Art Rooney died in 1988 and his son Dan Rooney took over as president of Steelers and still remains the president today.
|
|
|
During Art Rooney’s first years, the team struggled 7 seasons with just 22 wins, Walt Keisling being head coach. During the 1940s, many NFL players went to war and so Rooney merged Pittsburgh and Philadelphia together making the team name Phil-Pitt Steagles. The 2 teams were broken up in 1947. |
 Ernie Stautner and Dan Rooney |
During the 1960s, Buddy Parker was named head coach and the team won 5 non-losing seasons. The Steelers made team history on October 25, 1964 when they retired jersey number 70 Ernie Stautner when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He remains today the only Steeler with a retired jersey. Buddy Parker retired and Chuck Noll became head coach in 1969. |
|
 Franco Harris and Art Rooney |
During the 70s, Quarterback Terry Bradshaw and Running back Franco Harris were drafted in 1970 and 1971. These players today are in the Hall of Fame. The Steelers moved from the NFL century division to the AFC century division when the NFL and the American football league merged. The Steelers also moved from Forbes Field to Three Rivers Stadium which opened in 1970. The Steelers won their first Super Bowl, Super Bowl IX, and Art Rooney was given the Vince Lombardi Trophy. |
 Terry Bradshaw |
Thousands of fans came to Steelers activities in Pittsburgh for the Steelers’ 50th anniversary in 1983. The Steelers won their 9th division but did not make it to the Super Bowl because of a loss to Miami 45-28. The Steelers went through their worst seasons in 1981 and 1989 with records of 5-11 and losses of 41-0 and 51-0.
|
|
|
Chuck Noll retired in 1992 being only 1 of 4 coaches to have coached the same team for over 20 consecutive years. Bill Cowher became head coach and lead the Steelers Super Bowl XXX being the youngest coach at age 38 to lead a team 2 a Super Bowl. The Steelers won Super Bowl XL in 2006. |
|
|
|
Franco Harris (left) Mel Blount Chuck Noll Dan Rooney
|
|
Steelers in the Hall of Fame Arthur Rooney Jr. Daniel Rooney Bert Bell Johnny McNally Bill Dudley Walt Keisling Bobby Layne Ernie Stautner Joe Green John Henry Johnson Jack Ham Mel Blount Terry Bradshaw Franco Harris Jack Lambert Chuck Noll Mike Webster Lynn Swan John Stallworth
|
 "Mean" Joe Green |
|
|
Forbes Field |
