Have you ever attended or watched the Pittsburgh Steelers play a game on a Sunday? Well apparently, teams in Pennsylvania have been playing games illegally since April 25th, 1933. Back in 1933 a law was passed in Pennsylvania that prohibits individuals and associations from playing or engaging in baseball or football games before 2 p.m. and after 6 p.m. on Sundays.
USA Today
So all of those 1pm, and 8:20 game times? All illegal according to Act 49 of 1933. Here is what it says:
"It shall be unlawful for any person, copartnership, association or corporation to conduct, stage or engage in any baseball or football game, regardless whether a charge or admission thereto is made or whether labor or business is necessary to conduct, manage, stage or operate the same, on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, before the hour of two o’clock post meridian or after the hour of six o’clock post meridian."
ACT 33 – APRIL 25, 1933
Pennsylvania lawmakers voted on Wednesday morning on House Bill 391 would repeal Act 49 of 1933. There hasn't been an update to whether the bill passed, but common sense would say it will. That will allow the Steelers, Eagles, Pirates, and Phillies along with plenty of other teams across the state to be legal when the games start.
Talk about a weird law. The Steelers and Eagles have met each other 80 times (including 1 postseason game), with the Eagles winning 48 games and the Steelers winning 29 games. They have also tied 3 times. Almost all of these meeting have been played illegally according to the law.
The most recent game was in 2020 with the Steelers beating the Eagles 39-28. Receiver Chase Claypool had 4 touchdowns to propel Pittsburgh to the win.
