Greatest Sports Franchises - Pittsburgh Steelers

History of the Pittsburgh Steelers

They are known by their team colors of “Black and Gold.” Welcome to http://www.WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be continuing our series of the most successful sports franchises with a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early Days

Founded by Art Rooney on July 8th, 1933, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC and the fifth-oldest franchise in the National Football League. Despite being located in one of the league’s smallest markets, the Steelers have won more Super Bowl titles than any other team. At their inception, the club was christened the Pirates after the city’s baseball franchise, which was common practice at the time.

Rooney Family

Since the team’s creation, it has been owned by the Rooney family. Once Art Rooney gave up day-to-day control over operations in 1974, his son Dan stepped in to run the show, and eventually brought on his son Art II as President.

Struggle to Reach Greatness

Before changing the team’s name to the Steelers prior to the 1940 season, the club struggled. Their first winning season came in 1942, but that didn’t mark the end of those struggles. For example, during World War II, the Steelers suffered from player shortages and, as a result, were twice forced to merge with another team. In 1943, they combined operations with the Philadelphia Eagles to form the so-called “Phil-Pitt Eagles,” who were also known as the “Steagles.”

Chuck Noll Turns It Around

However, the team’s lack of success turned around with the hiring of Chuck Noll as head coach, in time for the 1969 season. Noll went on to recruit a number of Hall of Famers: these included “Mean” Joe Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972, and – last but not certainly not least – he drafted not one but four future Hall of Famers in the 1974 draft. These were: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster. Suffice it to say, no other team has ever drafted so successfully in one year.

Four Super Bowls in Six Years

Noll then made everyone gel. That foundation of players formed the dynasty that advanced to the playoffs in eight straight seasons. They also won an unparalleled four Super Bowls in six years starting in the mid-70s.

Noll Out, Cowher In

The 1980s were less impressive, and by 1992 Chuck Noll retired. Replacing him was Pittsburgh-suburb native Bill Cowher, who had emerged as a defensive specialist while he was a coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Another Turning Point: Roethlisberger

Without a doubt, a turning point in the organization’s history came when the franchise selected quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with the eleventh overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was the third quarterback chosen in the draft, after Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.

Another Championship Win

After a decade at the helm, in 2005 Cowher led the Steelers to a record-tying fifth championship win in Super Bowl XL over the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks.

Cowher Out, Tomlin In

Eventually, the excessive requirements of being a football head coach in the NFL got to Cowher, and he left the team. He was replaced on January 22nd, 2007 by Mike Tomlin, who became the first African-American to be named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in its 75-year history.

Team's Third Straight Head Coach To Go To Super Bowl

Tomlin went on to lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in the 2008 season in Super Bowl XLIII. With that, he became the third consecutive Steelers Head Coach to go to the Super Bowl. Only the Dallas Cowboys’ trio of Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer can claim the same accomplishment.

Steeler Nation

Since 2001, the team’s home games have been played on Heinz Field, after 31 seasons at Three Rivers Stadium. It was also around this time that the Steelers began enjoying a renaissance, and this brings great excitement to the devoted fans of Steeler Nation. Of course, this also leads to the chagrin and frustration of their rivals in Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland, Oakland and Dallas.

Small market, Big Wins

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a prime example of how the NFL differs from other professional sports associations. The league has created an environment where any club can become a dominant franchise, no matter how small their home town.