Pittsburgh Steelers Timeline

(1933 - Present)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1933 by Art Rooney as one of the NFL's original franchises, the Steelers have grown into one of the league's most successful and storied teams, winning a record-tying six Super Bowl titles and building a legacy defined by the 'Steel Curtain' defense of the 1970s and a culture of consistency under the Rooney family's ownership. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Founding and Early Years

Steelers founded as the Pittsburgh Pirates

Jul 8, 1933

Art Rooney Sr. founded the Pittsburgh Pirates, paying a $2,500 franchise fee to join the NFL. The team struggled in its early decades, posting losing records for most of its first 40 years.

Image source: Pittsburgh Steelers

Team renamed the Pittsburgh Steelers

1940

The franchise was renamed the Pittsburgh Steelers after the city's steel industry heritage, reflecting Pittsburgh's identity as a center of American steel production.

Steagles merger with Philadelphia Eagles

1943 - 1944

During World War II, with many players serving in the military, the Steelers merged with the Philadelphia Eagles to form the 'Steagles' in 1943 and with the Chicago Cardinals in 1944 to form 'Card-Pitt'.

Image source: Brassed Off

Immaculate Reception against the Raiders

Dec 23, 1972

In an AFC divisional playoff game, Terry Bradshaw's deflected pass was caught by Franco Harris for a game-winning touchdown on the final play, one of the most famous plays in NFL history and the Steelers' first playoff win.

Image source: Immaculate Reception

Coaches and Legends

Steelers draft Joe Greene

1969

The Steelers selected defensive tackle Joe Greene fourth overall, the cornerstone of the legendary Steel Curtain defense and one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history.

Image source: Joe Greene

Chuck Noll hired as head coach

Jan 27, 1969

Pittsburgh hired Chuck Noll from the Baltimore Colts as head coach, beginning the most successful era in franchise history that would produce four Super Bowl victories in six seasons.

Image source: Chuck Noll

Franco Harris sets rushing records

Dec 1984

Fullback Franco Harris finished his Steelers career with 11,950 rushing yards, at the time second only to Walter Payton on the NFL's all-time rushing list.

Image source: Franco Harris

Terry Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain enshrined

Aug 1989

Quarterback Terry Bradshaw was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining fellow dynasty legends like Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw's teammates Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Jack Ham, and Jack Lambert who were also honored.

Image source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Chuck Noll retires as head coach

Dec 27, 1991

After 23 seasons, four Super Bowl titles, and a Hall of Fame career, Chuck Noll retired as the winningest coach in Steelers history, transforming the franchise from perennial loser into a model organization.

Bill Cowher named head coach

Jan 21, 1992

Bill Cowher took over as head coach, bringing his intense 'jaw' persona and leading the Steelers to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons.

Image source: Bill Cowher

Mike Tomlin hired as head coach

Jan 22, 2007

Mike Tomlin succeeded Bill Cowher, becoming the Steelers' third head coach in nearly 40 years and later the first Black head coach in franchise history.

Image source: Mike Tomlin

Ben Roethlisberger announces retirement

Jan 27, 2022

After 18 seasons, two Super Bowl titles, and every major franchise passing record, Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement, closing an era of Steelers football.

Image source: Ben Roethlisberger

Franco Harris dies days before jersey retirement

Dec 20, 2022

Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris died at age 72, just three days before the Steelers planned to retire his No. 32 jersey on the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

Super Bowl Dynasty

First Super Bowl victory over the Vikings

Jan 12, 1975

The Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16–6 in Super Bowl IX in New Orleans, winning their first championship behind a dominant Steel Curtain defense that held the Vikings scoreless until late in the game.

Image source: Super Bowl IX

Back-to-back Super Bowl X victory

Jan 18, 1976

Pittsburgh beat the Dallas Cowboys 21–17 in Super Bowl X, highlighted by Lynn Swann's acrobatic catches and Jack Lambert's ferocious defense, securing back-to-back championships.

Image source: Super Bowl X

Third title won in Super Bowl XIII

Jan 21, 1979

The Steelers avenged their earlier playoff loss by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 35–31 in Super Bowl XIII in Miami, in a rematch often called one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played.

Image source: Super Bowl XIII

Fourth championship in Super Bowl XIV

Jan 20, 1980

Pittsburgh beat the Los Angeles Rams 31–19 in Super Bowl XIV, capturing their fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy in six seasons and cementing the dynasty of the 1970s.

Image source: Super Bowl XIV

Fifth Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XL

Feb 5, 2006

The Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in Detroit, becoming the first #6 seed to win a Super Bowl. Roethlisberger became the youngest starting QB to win the title, and Jerome Bettis retired a champion.

Image source: Super Bowl XL

Sixth Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIII

Feb 1, 2009

Santonio Holmes made a toe-dragging catch in the corner of the end zone with 35 seconds left, lifting the Steelers past the Arizona Cardinals 27–23 and giving Pittsburgh a record sixth Lombardi Trophy.

Image source: Super Bowl XLIII

Modern Era

Steelers reach Super Bowl XXX

Jan 28, 1996

Cowher's Steelers reached their first Super Bowl since 1980 but fell 27–17 to the Dallas Cowboys despite Neil O'Donnell's strong season, missing a chance at a fifth title.

Image source: Super Bowl XXX

Heinz Field opens as new home

Aug 25, 2001

The Steelers moved from Three Rivers Stadium to Heinz Field, a new open-air stadium on the North Shore of Pittsburgh named for the H.J. Heinz Company.

Image source: Acrisure Stadium

Steelers select Ben Roethlisberger in draft

Apr 24, 2004

Pittsburgh drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 11th overall out of Miami University; he would become the franchise's all-time passing leader and win two Super Bowls.

Roethlisberger leads record-setting offense

2014

Behind Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown, the Steelers fielded one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, including Brown's record streak of consecutive 100-catch seasons.

Antonio Brown sets single-season reception record pace

Jan 3, 2016

Antonio Brown capped the 2015 season by catching 136 passes, then followed with back-to-back 100+ reception campaigns, establishing himself among the NFL's elite receivers.

Image source: Antonio Brown

Le'Veon Bell holds out over franchise tag

Sep 1, 2018

Star running back Le'Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season rather than play under the franchise tag, one of the highest-profile contract holdouts in NFL history.

Image source: Le'Veon Bell

Antonio Brown traded to the Raiders

Mar 9, 2019

After a tumultuous 2018 season marked by conflicts within the locker room, Pittsburgh traded star receiver Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders for draft picks.

Myles Garrett helmet incident involving Steelers

Nov 14, 2019

In a Thursday night game between the Steelers and Browns, Cleveland's Myles Garrett swung his helmet at Mason Rudolph, sparking a massive brawl and unprecedented suspensions.

Image source: Myles Garrett

Steelers start season 11-0

Nov 2020

Pittsburgh opened the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with 11 straight wins, setting a franchise record for best start, before cooling off and falling to Cleveland in the playoffs.

Image source: 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Dwayne Haskins dies before first Steelers season

Apr 9, 2022

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, signed by Pittsburgh in 2021 to compete for the backup role, was struck and killed by a dump truck while training in Florida, just weeks before organized team activities began.

Image source: Dwayne Haskins

Kenny Pickett drafted as heir at quarterback

Apr 28, 2022

The Steelers selected Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the first quarterback drafted in round one by Pittsburgh since 2004.

Image source: Kenny Pickett

Key Facts

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded in 1933 by Art Rooney Sr., making them one of the oldest franchises in the NFL.
The Steelers have won six Super Bowl championships (IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, XLIII), tied with the New England Patriots for the most in NFL history.
The 1970s 'Steel Curtain' defense powered the team to four Super Bowl wins in six seasons (1974-1979), featuring legends like Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Terry Bradshaw.
Chuck Noll, who coached from 1969 to 1991, won four Super Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
The Steelers are owned by the Rooney family, whose name is honored through the NFL's 'Rooney Rule,' which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching positions.

Source

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