Pittsburgh Steelers |
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| City | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Other nicknames | {{{nicknames}}} |
| Team colors | Black and Gold |
| Head Coach | Bill Cowher |
| Owner | Dan Rooney |
| General manager | Kevin Colbert |
| Fight song | {{{song}}} |
| Mascot | {{{mascot}}} |
| Local radio | |
| Flagship stations: WDVE (102.5 FM) and WBGG (970 AM) | |
| Announcers: Bill Hillgrove and Tunch Ilkin | |
| League/Conference affiliations | |
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National Football League (1933-present)
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| Team history | |
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| League titles | |
League Championships (5)
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Conference Championships (6)
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Division Championships (17)
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| Home fields | |
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They currently belong to the Northern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The team has appeared in six Super Bowls, winning five of them, and thirteen Conference Championship Games winning six of them.
Originally named the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team along with the Philadelphia Eagles and the now-defunct Cincinnati Reds football team joined the NFL as 1933 expansion teams, after Art Rooney, Sr. paid a $2,500 fee. The team was renamed the Steelers in 1941 after the city's prominent steel industry to reflect the "blue collar" work ethic of the many Pittsburgh fans.
The Pittsburgh NFL team first took to the field on September 20, 1933, losing 23-2 to the New York Giants. Through the 1930s the Pirates never finished higher than second place in their division, or with a record better than .500 (1936). Pittsburgh did make history in 1938 by signing Byron White, a future justice on the U.S. Supreme Court to what was at the time the biggest contract in NFL history, but he only played one year with the Pirates before signing with the Detroit Lions.
In 1941, the team was renamed the Steelers after the city's prominence as a steel-making center. But the team maintained a long history of futility for the next three decades.
During World War II, the Steelers experienced player shortages. They twice merged with other NFL franchises in order to field a team. During the 1943 season, they merged with the Philadelphia Eagles forming the "Phil-Pitt Eagles" and were known as the "Steagles". This team went 5-4-1. In 1944 they merged with the Chicago Cardinals and were known as "Card-Pitt" and informally known as the "Car-Pitts" or "Carpets".
The Steelers made the playoffs for the first time in 1947, tying for first place in the division at 8-4 with the Philadelphia Eagles. This forced a tie-breaking playoff game at Forbes Field, which the Steelers lost 21-0. That would be Pittsburgh's last playoff game for 25 years.
Their luck changed with the hiring of coach Chuck Noll. Noll's most remarkable talent was in his draft selections, taking Hall of Famers "Mean" Joe Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972, and finally, in 1974, the best draft in Steelers history, pulled the incredible feat of selecting four Hall of Famers in one draft year, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth and Jack Lambert. This group of players formed the base of one of the greatest teams in NFL history, making the playoffs 8 seasons in a row and winning 4 Super Bowls.
The Steelers suffered a rash of injuries in the 1980 season and missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record. 1981 was no better, with an 8-8 showing. The team was then hit with the retirements of all their key players from the Super Bowl years. Mean Joe Greene retired after the 1981 season, Lynn Swann and Jack Ham after 1982, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount after 1983, and Jack Lambert after 1984.
In 1992 Chuck Noll retired and was succeeded by Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bill Cowher, a native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Crafton. Cowher led the Steelers to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons as coach, a feat that had only previously been accomplished by legendary coach Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns. Overall, Cowher has taken his team to the playoffs in 10 out of his 14 seasons, including appearances in Super Bowl XXX in 1996 and the franchise's record-tying fifth Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XL in 2006. With their Super Bowl XL victory, the Steelers became the first sixth-seeded playoff team, since the NFL expanded to a 12-team postseason tournament in 1990, to win the Super Bowl.
The Steelers have used black and gold as it colors since the 1950s. Originally, the team wore solid gold helmets and black jerseys. Unlike most other cities, the colors are currently also used by the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team, making it the official team colors of every professional sports team in the city.
The Steelers logo was then introduced in 1962, and is based on the "Steelmark", originally designed for U.S. Steel, by Cleveland, Ohio based Republic Steel, and now owned by AISI. It consists of the word "Steelers" surrounded by three astroids (hypocycloids of four cusps). The original meanings behind the astroids were, "Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure and widens your world" and later the colors came to represent the ingredients of steel, the yellow representing coal; the orange, ore; and the blue, steel scrap. While the "Steelmark" logo only contains the word "Steel", the Steelers were given special permission to add "-ers".
The Steelers are the only NFL team that puts their logo on only one side of the helmet (the right side). At first, it was a test to see how the logo appeared on their gold helmets, but its popularity led the team to leave it that way permanently. (It's also been rumored the team's longtime equipment manager, Jack Hart, wasn't happy with slapping the logo on so many helmets and refused to do both sides). [1][2] A year after introducing the logo, they switched to black helmets to make it stand out more.
The Steelers started to use the uniform design that they wear today since the late 1960s. The design consists of gold pants and either black jerseys or white jerseys. The helmet is solid black with a gold central stripe and small white uniform numbers on the forehead. Since the late 1990s, each player has worn a Steelers logo patch on left side of his jersey.
The "Terrible Towel" is a gimmick created by Myron Cope, a broadcaster, for the Steelers. Needing a way to excite the fans during a 1975 playoff game against the Baltimore Colts, Cope urged fans to take yellow dish towels to the game and wave them throughout.
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
^At the end of the 2005 NFL season, the Steelers All-Time Record is 523-502-21 (including playoffs).
Elected on the basis of performance with Steelers
Other Hall-of-Famers associated with Steelers
Source: Steeler's All-Time Roster by Jersey Number
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Source: Steeler's All-Time Roster by Jersey Number. The communities include Chrysso which in ancient times was Crissa. ^At the end of the 2005 NFL season, the Steelers All-Time Record is 523-502-21 (including playoffs). The modern Delphi or Delfi or Delfoi is situated west of the archaeological site. Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties. Three of the Doric colums have been restored, making it the most popular site at Delphi for tourists to take photographs. Needing a way to excite the fans during a 1975 playoff game against the Baltimore Colts, Cope urged fans to take yellow dish towels to the game and wave them throughout. The Tholos is located approximately a half-mile (800 m) from the main ruins at Delphi. The "Terrible Towel" is a gimmick created by Myron Cope, a broadcaster, for the Steelers. It consisted of 20 Doric columns arranged with an exterior diamater of 14.76 meters, with 10 Corinthian columns in the interior. Since the late 1990s, each player has worn a Steelers logo patch on left side of his jersey. The Tholos at the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia is a circular building that was constructed between 380 and 360 B.C. The helmet is solid black with a gold central stripe and small white uniform numbers on the forehead. Another impressive treasury that exists on the site was dedicated by the city of Siphnos, who had ammassed great wealth from their silver and gold mines and so they dedicated the Siphnian Treasury. The design consists of gold pants and either black jerseys or white jerseys. The Athenians had previously been given the advice by the oracle to put their faith in their "wooden walls" – taking this advice to mean their navy, they won a famous battle at Salamis. The Steelers started to use the uniform design that they wear today since the late 1960s. The most impressive is the now-restored Treasury of Athens, built to commemorate the Athenians' victory at the Battle of Marathon. [1][2] A year after introducing the logo, they switched to black helmets to make it stand out more. These were built by the various states – those overseas as well as those on the mainland – to commemorate victories and to thank the oracle for advice important to those victories. (It's also been rumored the team's longtime equipment manager, Jack Hart, wasn't happy with slapping the logo on so many helmets and refused to do both sides). From the entrance of the site, continuing up the slope almost to the temple itself, is a large number of votive statues, and numerous treasuries. At first, it was a test to see how the logo appeared on their gold helmets, but its popularity led the team to leave it that way permanently. Other archaeologists believe that the oracle also inhaled fumes of burning bay leaves. The Steelers are the only NFL team that puts their logo on only one side of the helmet (the right side). here for a popular science coverage). While the "Steelmark" logo only contains the word "Steel", the Steelers were given special permission to add "-ers". 707; see e.g. The original meanings behind the astroids were, "Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure and widens your world" and later the colors came to represent the ingredients of steel, the yellow representing coal; the orange, ore; and the blue, steel scrap. (de Boer et al., Geology 29 (2001) pp. It consists of the word "Steelers" surrounded by three astroids (hypocycloids of four cusps). However, recent geological research indicates that the site of the oracle shows young geological faults, and it seems plausible that these emitted in ancient times light hydrocarbon gases, possibly ethylene, from bituminous limestone which do have an intoxicating effect. Steel, by Cleveland, Ohio based Republic Steel, and now owned by AISI. 1 After investigating the site, archeologists were convinced that these vapours are only a myth, as no evidence for them could be found, and — so the then standard opinion in geology — gaseous emissions from rock only occur in conjunction with volcanic activity. The Steelers logo was then introduced in 1962, and is based on the "Steelmark", originally designed for U.S. The temple to Apollo at Delphi was built by Trophonius and Agamedes. Unlike most other cities, the colors are currently also used by the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team, making it the official team colors of every professional sports team in the city. In the 3rd century A.D., the oracle (perhaps bribed) declared that the god would no longer speak there. Originally, the team wore solid gold helmets and black jerseys. Another famous motto of Delphi is Meden Agan (Μηδέν Άγαν): "nothing in excess". The Steelers have used black and gold as it colors since the 1950s. This claim is related to one of the most famous mottos of Delphi, which Socrates said he learned there, Gnothi Seauton (Γνώθι Σεαυτόν): "know thyself". With their Super Bowl XL victory, the Steelers became the first sixth-seeded playoff team, since the NFL expanded to a 12-team postseason tournament in 1990, to win the Super Bowl. The oracle is also said to have proclaimed Socrates the wisest man in Greece, to which Socrates said that if so, this was because he alone was aware of his own ignorance. Overall, Cowher has taken his team to the playoffs in 10 out of his 14 seasons, including appearances in Super Bowl XXX in 1996 and the franchise's record-tying fifth Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XL in 2006. Croesus of Lydia consulted Delphi before attacking Persia, and according to Herodotus received the answer "if you do, you will destroy a great empire." Croesus found the response favorable and attacked, and was utterly overthrown (resulting, of course, in the destruction of his own empire). Cowher led the Steelers to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons as coach, a feat that had only previously been accomplished by legendary coach Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns. She also was respected by the semi-Hellenic countries around the Greek world, such as Lydia, Caria, and even Egypt. In 1992 Chuck Noll retired and was succeeded by Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bill Cowher, a native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Crafton. This oracle exerted considerable influence across the country, and was consulted before all major undertakings: wars, the founding of colonies, and so forth. Mean Joe Greene retired after the 1981 season, Lynn Swann and Jack Ham after 1982, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount after 1983, and Jack Lambert after 1984. Still others claimed the Sibyl received her powers from Gaia originally, who passed the oracle to Themis, who passed it to Phoebe. The team was then hit with the retirements of all their key players from the Super Bowl years. Others said she was sister or daughter to Apollo. 1981 was no better, with an 8-8 showing. Pausanias claimed that the Sibyl was "born between man and goddess, daughter of sea monsters and an immortal nymph". The Steelers suffered a rash of injuries in the 1980 season and missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record. The Sibyl sat on the Sibylline Rock, breathing in vapors from the ground1 and gaining her often puzzling predictions from that. This group of players formed the base of one of the greatest teams in NFL history, making the playoffs 8 seasons in a row and winning 4 Super Bowls. Later, "Sibyl" became a title given to whichever priestess manned the oracle at the time. Noll's most remarkable talent was in his draft selections, taking Hall of Famers "Mean" Joe Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972, and finally, in 1974, the best draft in Steelers history, pulled the incredible feat of selecting four Hall of Famers in one draft year, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth and Jack Lambert. She sang her predictions, which she received from Gaia. Their luck changed with the hiring of coach Chuck Noll. The first oracle at Delphi was commonly known as Sibyl or Pythia, though her name was Herophile. That would be Pittsburgh's last playoff game for 25 years. The oracle at that time predicted the future based on the lapping water and leaves rustling in the trees. This forced a tie-breaking playoff game at Forbes Field, which the Steelers lost 21-0. The shrine dedicated to Apollo was probably originally dedicated to Gaia and then Poseidon. The Steelers made the playoffs for the first time in 1947, tying for first place in the division at 8-4 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Apollo killed Python but had to be punished for it, since Python was a child of Gaia. In 1944 they merged with the Chicago Cardinals and were known as "Card-Pitt" and informally known as the "Car-Pitts" or "Carpets". This was the spring which emitted vapors that caused the Oracle at Delphi to give her prophesies. This team went 5-4-1. When young, Apollo killed the chthonic serpent Python, which lived beside the Castalian Spring, according to some because Python had attempted to rape Leto while she was pregnant with Apollo and Artemis. During the 1943 season, they merged with the Philadelphia Eagles forming the "Phil-Pitt Eagles" and were known as the "Steagles". Even in Roman times hundreds of votive statues remained, described by Pliny the Younger and seen by Pausanias. They twice merged with other NFL franchises in order to field a team. Delphi was the site of a major temple to Phoebus Apollo, as well as the Pythian Games and a famous oracle. During World War II, the Steelers experienced player shortages. In commemoration of this legend, the winners at the Pythian Games received a laurel wreath picked in Tempe. But the team maintained a long history of futility for the next three decades. Another legend held that Apollo walked to Delphi from the north and stopped at Tempe, a city in Thessaly to pick laurel, a plant sacred to him. In 1941, the team was renamed the Steelers after the city's prominence as a steel-making center. The epithet is connected with dolphins (the "womb-fish") in the Homeric Hymn to Apollo Εις Απόλλωνα Πύθιον, 400), telling how Apollo first came to Delphi in the shape of a dolphin, carrying Cretan priests on his back. Supreme Court to what was at the time the biggest contract in NFL history, but he only played one year with the Pirates before signing with the Detroit Lions. either "the one of Delphi", or "the one of the womb". Pittsburgh did make history in 1938 by signing Byron White, a future justice on the U.S. Apollo is connected with the site by his epithet Δελφίνιος Delphinios, "the Delphinian", i.e. Through the 1930s the Pirates never finished higher than second place in their division, or with a record better than .500 (1936). The name Delphoi is connected with δελφός delphus "womb" and may indicate archaic veneration of an Earth Goddess at the site. The Pittsburgh NFL team first took to the field on September 20, 1933, losing 23-2 to the New York Giants. Southwest of Delphi, about 15 km away, is the harbor-city of Kirrha on the Corinthian Gulf. . This semicircular spur is known as Phaedriades; it overlooks the Pleistos Valley. The team was renamed the Steelers in 1941 after the city's prominent steel industry to reflect the "blue collar" work ethic of the many Pittsburgh fans. Parnassus. paid a $2,500 fee. Delphi is located in a plateau on the side of Mt. Originally named the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team along with the Philadelphia Eagles and the now-defunct Cincinnati Reds football team joined the NFL as 1933 expansion teams, after Art Rooney, Sr. . The team has appeared in six Super Bowls, winning five of them, and thirteen Conference Championship Games winning six of them. 61, 84). They currently belong to the Northern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). After the battle of Plataea, the Greek cities extinguished their fires and brought new fire from the hearth of Greece, at Delphi; in the foundation stories of several Greek colonies, the founding colonists were first dedicated at Delphi (Burkert, 1985, pp. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the inner εστία (hestia), or hearth, of the Temple of Delphic Apollo (Απόλλων Δελφίνιος - Apollon Delphinios), an άσβεστος φλόγα (eternal flame) burned. National Football League (1933-present). Delphi was revered throughout the Greek world as the site of the ομφαλός (omphalos) stone, the centre of the universe. Bill Cowher (1992-Present). In ancient times it was the site of the Delphic Sibyl, dedicated to the god Apollo. Chuck Noll (1969-1991). Delphi (Greek Δελφοί - Delphoi; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece. Bill Austin (1966-1968). Burkert, Walter, Greek Religion 1985. Mike Nixon (1965). The New York Times, March 19, 2002: "Fumes and Visions Were Not a Myth for Oracle at Delphi". Raymond "Buddy" Parker (1957-1964). Geology of Delphi. Walt Kiesling (1954-1956). John Roach, "Delphic Oracle's Lips May Have Been Loosened by Gas Vapors" in National Geographic news, August 2001. Joe Bach (1952-1953). Hale, et al., "Questioning the Delphic Oracle: When science meets religion at this ancient Greek site, the two turn out to be on better terms than scholars had originally thought", in Scientific American August 2003. John Michelosen (1948-1951). John R. Jock Sutherland (1946-1947). "The Delphic oracle". Jim Leonard (1945). Eloise Hart, "The Delphic oracle". Walt Kiesling (1941-1944). Livius Picture Archive: Delphi. Bert Bell (1941). Osborne , "A Short detour to Delphi and the Sibyls". Aldo Donelli (1941). C. Walt Kiesling (1939-1940). Delphi (in Greek). John McNally (1937-1939). Delphi guide. Joe Bach (1935-1936). The Oracle of Delphi and Ancient Oracles, annotated guide edited by Tim Spalding. Luby DiMelio (1934). Hellenic Ministry of Culture: Delphi. Forrest Douds (1933). Homepage of the modern municipality (in English or Greek). Josh Miller. Rod Woodson. Dwight White. Supreme Court Justice). Byron White (U.S. Bobby Walden. Yancy Thigpen. Kordell Stewart. Andy Russell. Eric Pegram. Actor Ed O'Neill was signed by the Steelers as a free agent in 1969, but was subsequently cut during training camp. Neil O'Donnell. Gerry Mullins. Bam Morris. Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala. Ray Mansfield. Greg Lloyd. Louis Lipps. Tim Lester. Carnell Lake. Jon Kolb. Levon Kirkland. Ernie Holmes. Merril Hoge. Greenwood. L.C. Kevin Greene. Eric Green. Joe Gilliam. Jason Gildon. Roy Gerela. Frenchy Fuqua. Barry Foster. Amos Zereoue. Buddy Dial. Dermontti Dawson. Bennie Cunningham. Craig Colquitt. Plaxico Burress. Bubby Brister. Rocky Bleier. Kendrell Bell. Matt Bahr. Gary Anderson. Walter Abercrombie. Mike Tomczak. The number hasn't been used since. According to legend, the equipment manager--who assigns jersey numbers to new players--later stripped Seabaugh of the number because the player "wasn't Jack Ham". 59 was used once in 1984 by Todd Seabaugh, who played one season with the team. Note: After Jack Ham retired, no. Used four times officially since Mel Blount's retirement, most recently to safety Scott Shields in 2000. 47 has been issued during the preseason regulary, and on some occasions to the final 53-man roster. Note: No. 31. Since Donnie Shell's retirement after the 1987 season, Logan is the only Steeler to wear no. 31 is currently being used by backup safety Mike Logan, a native of the Pittsburgh suburb of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and is currently in his fifth season with the Steelers. Note: No. 75 (Joe Greene). 63 (Dermontti Dawson). 59 (Jack Ham, see below). 58 (Jack Lambert). 52 (Mike Webster). 47 (Mel Blount, see below). 32 (Franco Harris). 31 (Donnie Shell, see below). 12 (Terry Bradshaw). However, the Steelers no longer issue the following numbers, which are in essence retired as well:. Are the only officially retired number. Ernie Stautner's #70 And, Jerome Bettis (#36). Myron Cope, Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster, was awarded the 2005 Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. 16 Len Dawson, QB, 1957-59. 36 Marion Motley, RB, 1955. 56 Bill Hewitt, TE-DE, 1943 (Steagles). Earle "Greasy" Neale, Co-head coach with Kiesling on 1943 war-forced merged team with Philadelphia, "Steagles". Bert Bell, Co-owner, 1941-46. 36 Cal Hubbard, T-DT, 1936. "Johnny Blood"), RB, 1934, 1937-38. 24 Johnny McNally (a.k.a. 52 Mike Webster, C, 1974-88. 82 John Stallworth, WR, 1974-87. 58 Jack Lambert, LB, 1974-84. 88 Lynn Swann, WR, 1974-82. 32 Franco Harris, RB, 1972-83. 59 Jack Ham, LB, 1971-82. 12 Terry Bradshaw, QB, 1970-83. 47 Mel Blount, CB, 1970-83. 75 "Mean" Joe Greene, DT, 1969-81. Chuck Noll, Head Coach, 1969-91. 35 John Henry Johnson, RB, 1960-65. 22 Bobby Layne, QB, 1958-62. 70 Ernie Stautner, DT, 1950-63. 35 Bill Dudley, RB-DB, 1942, 1945-46 (missed 1943-44 due to military service). 2 Walt Kiesling, G, 1937-39; Head Coach, 1939-44, 1954-56. Dan Rooney, Executive, 1955-present; Owner, 1988-present. Art Rooney, Founder-owner, 1933-88. Heinz Field (2001-present). Three Rivers Stadium (1970-2000). Pitt Stadium (1958-1969). Forbes Field (1933-1963). AFC North: 2002, 2004. AFC Central: 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001. AFC: 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1995, 2005. Super Bowl Championships (5) Philadelphia-Pittsburgh "Steagles" (1943). Pittsburgh Steelers (1941-1942). Pittsburgh Pirates (1933-1940). AFC North (2002-present). AFC Central (1970-2001). American Football Conference (1970-present)
American Conference (1950-1952). Western Division (1944). Eastern Division (1933-1943; 1945-1949). |