The early history of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands in stark
contrast to the success the team eventually achieved. The Steelers first took
the field in 1933, but it would take them until 1947 to make their first playoff
appearance. The Steelers went another 25 years without a playoff appearance.
Nevertheless, the lowest points in franchise history came during the 1943 and
1944 seasons when the Steelers merged first with the Philadelphia Eagles and
then with the Chicago Cardinals. This last Card-Pitt team went 0-10, marking the
only time that the team finished a season winless.
The Steelers' fortunes finally changed some 36 years after
the franchise was founded. In 1969 Chuck Noll was hired as head coach. Noll was
a particularly discerning talent evaluator who built the team with great draft
picks. Among Knoll's selections were "Mean" Joe Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw
and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972, and Lynn Swann,
Jack Lambert, Mike Webster and John Stallworth in 1974. All of these players
that Noll drafted went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Noll compiled a record
of 209-156-1 as head coach of the Steelers.
When Noll retired after the 1991 season, Bill Cowher was
hired as his successor. During his 15 seasons at the helm Cowher was arguably
more famous - especially for his trademark scowl - than any of his players. As
the face of the franchise, Cowher led the Steelers to the playoffs in 10 of his
15 seasons, including an appearance in Super Bowl XXX, and a win in Super Bowl
XL. Cowher posted a 161-99-1 record as head coach of the Steelers.
The Steelers' Super Bowl appearances:
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1975 (IX): Won 16-6 over the Minnesota Vikings
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1976 (X): Won 21-17 over the Dallas Cowboys
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1979 (XII): Won 35-31 over the Dallas Cowboys
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1980 (XIV): Won 31-19 over the Los Angeles Rams
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1996 (XXX): Lost 27-17 to the Dallas Cowboys
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2006 (XL): Won 21-10 over the Seattle Seahawks
Former Steelers in the Hall of Fame:
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Bert Bell, Co-owner (1941–1946)
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Mel Blount, CB (1970–1983)
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Terry Bradshaw, QB (1970–1983)
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Len Dawson, QB (1957–1959)
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Bill Dudley, RB-DB (1942 and 1945–1946 - missed 1943–1944
due to military service)
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"Mean" Joe Greene, DT (1969–1981)
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Jack Ham, LB (1971–1982)
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Franco Harris, RB (1972–1983)
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Bill Hewitt, TE-DE (1943 Steagles)
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Cal Hubbard, T-DT (1936)
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John Henry Johnson, RB (1960–1965)
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Walt Kiesling, G (1937–1939), Head Coach (1939–1944 and
1954–1956)
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Jack Lambert, LB (1974–1984)
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Bobby Layne, QB (1958–1962)
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Johnny McNally (a.k.a. "Johnny Blood"), RB (1934 and
1937–1938)
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Marion Motley, RB (1955)
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Chuck Noll, Head Coach (1969–1991)
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Art Rooney, Founder/Owner (1933–1988)
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Dan Rooney, Executive (1955–present), Owner
(1988–present)
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John Stallworth, WR (1974–1987)
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Ernie Stautner, DT (1950–1963)
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Lynn Swann, WR (1974–1982)
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Mike Webster, C (1974–1988)
The design of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Fabric: Black is
composed of the Steelers’ helmets over a black background.
The Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Fabric: Black is a great cotton
fabric to use for quilts, shirts, jackets, jacket linings, carrying bags, bed
sheets, bedspreads, hats, pet clothing and more.