Originally called the Pirates, the Steelers wear uniforms of black and gold. The team, which used to play at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was scheduled to move into a new stadium for the 2001 season. The team takes its name from the steel-producing factories in Pittsburgh.

During the 1970s Pittsburgh became the first NFL team to win four Super Bowls. Head coach Chuck Noll commanded a talent-laden club starring several future Hall of Fame members, including quarterback Terry Bradshaw, defensive end “Mean” Joe Greene, running back Franco Harris, and linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert.

The Pittsburgh Pirates football team was founded in 1933 by Art Rooney. He named the team after Pittsburgh’s National League baseball team, and the two franchises shared Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. In 1938 Rooney signed star running back Byron White. Nicknamed Whizzer because of his speed, White led the league in rushing that year, but the Pirates won just two of nine games.

After seven losing seasons, Rooney renamed his team the Steelers in 1940. The club registered only three winning records from 1942 to 1949. Its best player during this time was two-time rushing champion Bill Dudley. In 1946 the versatile running back, who would eventually be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, led the NFL in rushing, interceptions, and punt returns.

From 1950 to 1957 Pittsburgh failed to produce a winning record. The team briefly recovered between 1958 and 1963, culminating with a 9-5 win-loss record in 1962. Pittsburgh followed a 7-4 record in 1963 with eight consecutive losing campaigns from 1964 to 1971.