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Sure the Steelers Win Super Bowls, But They Used to Stink


Last Update: 11/20/2009 4:32 pm
Getty Images
Getty Images
By Steve Kaut, KSHB-TV

I know the headline is a bit unusual, but it is true.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of six Super Bowls, spent decades as a bad, bad team.

That's something to remember as the Chiefs struggle through another lost season.

The Steelers are the fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL and didn't actually become the Steelers until 1940.

They started their life as the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Here's how ugly things were for fans of those teams: the Pirates won just 22 games in their first seven seasons and went through five head coaches.

Yikes.

The 1950s were especially brutal for Pittsburgh sports fans, much like this decade has been for fans of Kansas City pro teams.

The Pirates (baseball) managed just 42 victories in 1952, 50 in 1953 and 53 in 1954.

Things didn't get better when football season rolled around.

Head coach John Michelosen finished a four-year run in the early 1950s with a record of 20-62-2.

The Herm Edwards years may have ended ugly, but 20-62 is nasty.

Another historical note: The Steelers were the last team to run the single wing as its main offense. They decided to try something new in 1952.

But of course, we know how this story ends.

The Steelers go 1-13 in 1969, but things start getting better in a hurry.

They drafted future Hall of Famers, won four Super Bowls in six years in the 1970s and became a model franchise.

About that same time, the Chiefs enter their first dark era.

Flash forward 30 years and the Steelers compete for Super Bowls and the Chiefs compete not to be embarrassed.

So what does Sunday's game at Arrowhead hold for players and fans?

The Chiefs are without their main offensive weapon as Dwayne Bowe serves his four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The Steelers lost to Cincinnati and need a victory.

But I don't think the cause is lost.

The Chiefs make it a game.

Pittsburgh - 23
Chiefs - 17.


The Talent

John Lindsay - Scripps Howard News Service, Washington

John Lindsay is sports editor for Scripps Howard News Service in Washington, D.C. Writing sports since 1985, John Lindsay has covered NFL, MLB, college football and basketball and major golf events for several newspapers in his career and has been a Heisman Trophy voter since 1996.

Tom Korun - WFTS, Tampa

As we will move forward in our blogging relationship, you and I will likely agree to disagree. You'll learn I mean what I say, and say what I mean. If you don't bring passion, don't waste my time and yours!

David Francois - WFTS, Tampa

A Virginian by birth, David Francois can be found at Elmer’s in Ybor City on Sundays, the only Redskins bar in Tampa. He attended JMU and is proud to say he went to the same school as Scott "Wide Right" Norwood.

Brian Nutt - KJRH, Tulsa

Living in Tulsa means Golden Hurricanes, Sooners, or Cowboys, but not for this guy. Woo Pig Sooie Razorbacks! Nothing like a fall evening in Razorback Stadium calling the Hogs.

Aaron Heintzelman - KSHB, Kansas City

Aaron hopes to use his limited football expertise to fuel many fantasy victories this year, but a quick look at his roster proves he has some work to do. Aaron's true allegiances lie with the Eagles, but you'll also catch him tuning into Chiefs, Steelers and Dolphins games.

Tom Leyden – WXYZ, Detroit

The first book Tom ever read was, "Super Bowl," by John Devaney, written in 1971. He was hooked from that moment. He knows every Super Bowl site, score and MVP. Go ahead - try him. Especially XXI, XXV and XLII. G-Men!

Ian Preuth - WCPO, Cincinnati

I've lived in Cincinnati my whole life so I've seen many bad teams and a few good ones. Most of the time the good teams get screwed because Cincinnati is cursed. I can watch any sport, enjoy competition no matter what it is and appreciate a good debate.

Larry Carney - WMAR, Baltimore

Larry loves crab cakes, football and everything purple and black. He hates Heinz ketchup, Primanti Brothers’ sandwiches and all things Pittsburgh. His fantasy football teams grab running backs on good teams and wide receivers on bad ones. Hidden Talent: Great heckler.

Jeff Heisner - KNXV, Phoenix

I grew up and worked in Detroit and have a keen sense for what bad football really is. After escaping to Arizona I've come to find out professional football isn't all that bad.

Craig Fouhy - KNXV, Phoenix

He's played the game, he's been a coach, and now he's spouting off about it! It's not just about highlights in Phoenix...out here it's a little bit of highlights and a lot of..."Fouhy on Sports!"

Cory Williams - KNXV, Phoenix

Representing the west coast! Cory has spent the last 15 years covering the desert dwelling teams of Arizona. When you’re tired of all the east coast bias (and there's plenty of it here!)...Laugh it off and look west!

Wyatt Wright - WPTV, West Palm Beach

Wyatt Wright is a husband, father and football fan. When he's not yelling at the neighbor kids to get off his lawn, he's reminiscing about seventh grade, when he was a scrappy but undersized linebacker for the 110-pound "B" squad.

Chip Mahaney - E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati

Even though Chip's Cincinnati office has a view of the Bengals' stadium, his heart and mouth are native Texan. His first NFL memory: Super Bowl VI (Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3). Each Saturday in autumn, he prays for a resurrection of the Southwest Conference.

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