A Basic History of the Pittsburgh Steelers Football Team

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team that plays in the National Football League. The Steelers play in the North Division of the American Football Conference.

The franchise was founded in 1933 when the Pittsburgh Pirates became a part of the NFL. In 1940, the team changed its name to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1943, the team was known as the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Steagles, and in 1944, the team was known as Card-Pitt. In 1945, the team became the Pittsburgh Steelers once again and have kept the name ever since.

During the team's time in the NFL, prior to the AFL-NFL merger, the team played in the Eastern Division, the Western Division, the American Conference, the Eastern Conference, and the Century Division. After the AFL-NFL merger, the Steelers played in the AFC Central from 1970-2001. In 2002, the Steelers became a part of the AFC North when the NFL realigned its divisions.

The Steelers have won a total seventeen Division Championships, fifteen AFC Central titles and two AFC North titles. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six AFC Championships in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1995, and 2005. Pittsburgh has won the Super Bowl five times in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, and 2005. The Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl victories with the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers.

The franchise began playing its home games at Forbes Field from 1933-1963. The Steelers played at Pitt Stadium from 1964-1969. From 1970-2000 the Steelers played their home games at Three Rivers Stadium. In 2001, the team moved to its current location, Heinz Field.

Former players for Pittsburgh who are currently enshrined in the National Football Hall of Fame are Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, Bill Dudley, Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, John Henry Johnson, Jack Lambert, Bobby Layne, Johnny McNally, John Stallworth, Ernie Stautner, Lynn Swann, and Mike Webster. Walt Kiesling, also in the Hall of Fame, was a player and coach for the Steelers. Former head coach, Chuck Noll, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories, is enshrined as a coach. Bert Bell - former co-owner, Art Rooney - founder and former owner, and Dan Rooney - executive and owner, are also all in the Hall of Fame.

Four different Steelers players have won the Super Bowl MVP Award. Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, and Hines Ward each won the award once, while Terry Bradshaw took home the award for Super Bowls XIII and XIV.