Established
1933
City
Pittsburgh
League History
1933 - Present / National Football League
Team History
1945 - Present / Pittsburgh Steelers
1944 / Card - Pitt
1943 / Philadelphia - Pittsburgh "Steagles"
1940 - 1942 / Pittsburgh Steelers
1933 - 1939 / Pittsburgh Pirates
Nickname
Pirates – The Pittsburgh Pirates have been a part of the National Football League (NFL) since 1933 and are one of the oldest franchises in professional football. Throughout history, they have had several nicknames, some more popular than others. The nickname that has become most associated with the team is "Steelers," which was adopted in 1940 after owner Art Rooney Sr. changed it from its original name, "Pirates." But what about before then? What were some of the other nicknames used by fans to refer to this beloved franchise during its first seven years?
One nickname commonly used for Pittsburgh's NFL teams between 1933-1939 was “the Pros” or “Pro Footballers” because college football was part of a professional league when college football reigned supreme across much of America. This moniker stuck with many fans even after Rooney renamed his team as it captured their status as professionals and alluded back to their origins as pirates on the high seas!
Another common nickname for these early Steelers teams came from an unlikely source – baseball! Due mainly to how similar uniforms looked between pro football players and major leaguers at this period, many Pittsburghers began referring jokingly calling them ‘the Bucs' - short for Buccaneers - just like how they referred affectionately called baseball's own Pirates squad who dominated local sports headlines around town during those same years (1933-39). As such, you can still find references today amongst long-standing Steeler Nation members where they may refer fondly remember these earlier versions using either term interchangeably depending on context or personal preference; however, neither ever really caught on outside city limits so don't be surprised if someone looks confused if you use either one away from Western Pennsylvania.
Championship
Super Bowl 0
2008, 2005, 1979, 1978, 1975, 1974
Stadium
2001 - Present / Heinz Field
1970 - 2000 / Three Rivers Stadium
1958 - 1969 / Pitt Stadium
1944 / Comiskey Park
1943 / Shibe Park
1933 - 1963 / Forbes Field
Owner
2017 - Present / Art Rooney II
1988 - 2017 / Dan Rooney
1933 - 1988 / Art Rooney
- 1933
- 1934
- 1935
- 1937
- 1939
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Pittsburgh Pirates Football Team Formation
In May 1933, in anticipation of the repeal of some of Pennsylvania’s restrictive laws in the fall of that year, Rooney applied for a franchise with the NFL. His request was granted on May 19, 1933, and the Pittsburgh Professional Football Club, Inc. joined the NFL in exchange for a US$2,500 franchise fee (roughly $45,000 in today’s dollars). The new ... -
Pirates rank third in the NFL Eastern Division
In 1934: The Pirates improve their NFL record to 2–10 and rank third in the Eastern Division. They also finished fourth in the National League with a 74–76 record. -
The Pirates have their worst NFL season
In 1935: The Pirates have their worst NFL season, going 4–8 and ranking last in the Eastern Division. They also drop to sixth place in the National League with a 86–67 record. -
The Pirates have their best NFL season, winning the Eastern Division title
In 1937: The Pirates have their best NFL season, winning the Eastern Division title with a 8–3 record and advancing to the NFL Championship Game, where they lose to the Green Bay Packers 27–01. They also finish second in the National League with a 86–64 record, behind the Chicago Cubs. -
Forrest Douds – Head Coach of Pirates
The coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates football team from 1933 to 1939 was Forrest Douds. He was a former All-American player at Washington and Jefferson College and a professional player for the Portsmouth Spartans, Providence Steam Roller, Chicago Cardinals, and the Pirates2. He was also the first coach of the franchise that later became the Pittsburgh Steelers2. Douds coached the ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates, now known as the Pittsburgh Steelers, are an NFL team with a long and storied history. Founded in 1933 as the Pittsburgh Steelers, they were one of the original teams of the National Football League. Since then, they have had many successes and failures on their way to becoming one of the most beloved franchises in professional sports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six Super Bowls since 1974, more than any other franchise except for the New England Patriots, which has eight titles. They also boast four conference championships and 21 divisional titles during that same period—the most among all current NFL teams—as well as numerous individual awards, including nine MVPs (Most Valuable Player), 18 Pro Bowl selections, seven Hall-of-Famers (including legendary quarterback Terry Bradshaw) and two Heisman Trophy winners (Tony Dorsett & Barry Sanders).
The team's success over these past decades can be attributed to several factors: strong leadership from owners such as Art Rooney Sr., Dan Rooney Jr., and Kevin Colbert; excellent coaching from Chuck Noll through Bill Cowher; great players like Franco Harris or Jerome Bettis; consistent drafting strategies focused on building around core pieces rather than chasing big names in free agency; plus a devoted fan base that supports them no matter what happens on game day!
Even though there have been some tough seasons recently for this once dominant franchise – particularly after losing longtime star QB Ben Roethlisberger due to injury – it’s clear that there’s still plenty of hope left for future glory days ahead if things keep trending upwards with new head coach Mike Tomlin at the helm along with GM/President Kevin Colbert leading personnel decisions off-field efforts. With so much untapped potential within the organization, only time will tell whether or not “Steel City” can reclaim its place atop the football hierarchy again soon enough!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
70 / Ernie Stautner
75 / Joe Greene
*Blue is this team’s history