The history of the Pittsburgh Steelers includes many years. Analysts are constantly competing to predict the best season and the best player.
Joe Robbins / USA Today
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl XL MVP, Hines Ward, holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating with his young son Jaden.
The best online casino Australia also offers their customers the chance to bet on this team. However, every sports fan needs to start by learning two historical facts. The 1978 season was a unique season in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers history goes back to 1921, when Arthur Rooney, who came from an Irish immigrant family, became a key figure. Rooney was a versatile athlete and a passionate sports fan. He attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Pittsburgh, Duquesne University Prep School, then a few semesters at Indiana Normal School. He then finished at Temple University. Over time, he not only played sports himself, but also became an organizer and promoter. As part of these efforts, he founded an amateur football team called Hope Harvey. It was named after the Hope Fire Station, which served as the team's changing room, and Dr. Harvey, who acted as the team's sponsor and unofficial doctor. According to Rooney himself, it was this amateur team that can be considered the forerunner of the modern Steelers.
Rooney's draft remained amateur until 1933. However, when Pittsburgh repealed the religious law that prohibited sporting events on Sundays, Rooney immediately applied to join the NFL. The league quickly accepted the team into its ranks, and from that moment, the history of professional football in Pittsburgh began.
Harry Cabluck / Associated Press
Steelers' Dan Rooney (right) and his father Art Rooney (left) during the 1970 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Best Season
In 1978, the Steelers had an outstanding athletic performance, becoming one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Their defense, nicknamed the Steel Curtain, was undeniably great, allowing the fewest points in the 1978 season. At the same time, quarterback Terry Bradshaw had the best season of his career, finishing the regular season with 2,915 yards and 28 touchdowns, the best totals in the league. For those renditions, he was named league MVP, becoming just the second Steelers player to win this prestigious award.
Pittsburgh suffered only two losses in the regular season, while posting 14 wins. That result remained a franchise best until 2004 (when the Steelers finished the season 15-1). The team also showed a high level of play en route to the Super Bowl, with convincing wins over Denver (33-10) and Houston (34-5). However, in the Super Bowl, they had to face strong resistance from the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys held on until the final quarter, but in the end, the Steelers increased the pressure on their opponents. The referees made two controversial decisions in favor of the Steelers, allowing them to score another 14 points. Dallas did not give up. However, they could not catch up. The final score was 35-31.
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Steelers' Terry Bradshaw uncorks a pass in Super Bowl XIV.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Best Player
Joe Greene is considered the cornerstone of the legendary Steel Curtain defense, one of the best in league history. His hard-nosed style of play inspired terror in opponents, and his leadership skills were respected and obeyed by his teammates. During his career, Green participated in 181 of 190 possible games, was selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times, was named to the All-Pro team 8 times, was twice named the league's best defensive player, and won 4 Super Bowls with the team. His importance to Pittsburgh's history is evidenced by the fact that his game number 75 was one of three that the club officially retired.
