History of Pittsburgh Steelers in Timeline
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team competing in the NFL's AFC North division. Founded in 1933, they boast a rich history with a league-leading six Super Bowl titles and eight AFC championships. The Steelers are known for their strong defense, symbolized by the "Steel Curtain" of the 1970s, and have a loyal fan base known as "Steeler Nation." Iconic figures like Art Rooney, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and "Mean" Joe Greene have shaped the Steelers' legacy. The team plays its home games at Acrisure Stadium.
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Rumors swirl of Aaron Rodgers potentially joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. Matt LaFleur anticipates the move. Rodgers hints at a reason for his NFL decision delay. Steelers could improve.
July 8, 1933: Steelers Join the NFL
On July 8, 1933, the Steelers, originally known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, joined the NFL. The team was owned by Art Rooney and adopted its name from the baseball team, a common practice for NFL teams at the time.
September 20, 1933: Steelers' First Game
On September 20, 1933, the Pittsburgh Steelers, then known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, played their first game, losing 23–2 to the New York Giants.
1933: Forrest Douds became the first coach
In 1933, Forrest Douds became the first head coach of the Steelers.
1933: Eagles and Steelers Begin Play
In 1933, both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers began play in the NFL. From 1933 to 1966, their matchups were a major rivalry as they were in the same division.
1933: Steelers Join NFL Eastern Division
In 1933, the Pittsburgh Steelers became part of the NFL Eastern Division, marking the start of their divisional alignment history.
1933: Steelers Share Forbes Field with the Pittsburgh Pirates
In 1933, the Pittsburgh Steelers began sharing Forbes Field with the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking the start of 31 seasons at that location.
1933: Steelers Franchise History
In 1933, the Steelers are the seventh-oldest franchise in the NFL, and the oldest franchise in the AFC.
1934: Steelers' Third Uniform Inspiration
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced a new third uniform inspired by the jerseys worn in the 1934 season.
1938: Signing of Byron White
In 1938, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Byron White, who would later become a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, to what was the largest contract in NFL history at the time.
1939: Inauguration of the Dapper Dan Charities Sportsman of the Year award
Since 1939, the regional Dapper Dan Charities has named the "Sportsman of the Year" in the Pittsburgh region.
1940: Team Renamed Steelers
Prior to the 1940 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates officially changed their name to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1943: Merger with Philadelphia Eagles
During the 1943 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers merged with the Philadelphia Eagles due to player shortages during World War II, forming the "Phil-Pitt Eagles" (Steagles), which finished with a 5–4–1 record.
1943: Steagles Colors
In 1943, the Pittsburgh Steelers merged with the Philadelphia Eagles to form the "Steagles", and the team's colors became green and white due to wearing Eagles uniforms.
1943: Steelers in the NFL Eastern Division
In 1943, the Pittsburgh Steelers were a part of the NFL Eastern Division, continuing their divisional alignment history.
1944: Merger with Chicago Cardinals
In 1944, facing ongoing player shortages from World War II, the Pittsburgh Steelers merged with the Chicago Cardinals to form Card-Pitt, a team that went 0–10.
1944: Steelers Briefly in Western Division
In 1944, the Pittsburgh Steelers briefly transitioned to the NFL Western Division before returning to the Eastern Division.
1946: Steelers Uniforms
The Pittsburgh Steelers uniforms worn from 1946, served as inspiration for the alternate black Color Rush uniforms introduced in 2016.
1947: First Playoff Appearance
In 1947, the Pittsburgh Steelers made their first playoff appearance, tying for first place in their division with the Philadelphia Eagles at 8–4. They subsequently lost the tie-breaking playoff game 21–0.
1947: Steelers Playoff Game in 1947
In 1947, the Pittsburgh Steelers participated in a playoff game, marking one of their few postseason appearances before the AFL-NFL merger. Since the merger in 1970, the team has played in 36-26 postseason games.
1949: Steelers Return to Eastern Division
In 1949, the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the NFL Eastern Division after a brief period in the Western Division.
1950: Steelers Join American Conference
From 1950 to 1952, the Pittsburgh Steelers were part of the American Conference in the NFL.
1950: Steelers-Browns Rivalry Begins
In 1950, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns started their divisional rivalry, marking the beginning of a long-standing competitive relationship.
1952: Steelers in the American Conference
In 1952, the Pittsburgh Steelers were part of the American Conference in the NFL, continuing their conference alignment history.
1953: Steelers Join Eastern Conference
From 1953 to 1966, the Pittsburgh Steelers were part of the Eastern Conference in the NFL, marking a period of divisional alignment.
September 29, 1957: Steelers Hire First African-American Assistant Coach
On September 29, 1957, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Lowell Perry as their assistant coach, marking the first time an African-American was appointed to such a role in the NFL.
1958: Steelers Split Home Games at Pitt Stadium
In 1958, the Pittsburgh Steelers began splitting their home games with Pitt Stadium.
1960: Steelers Defeat Cowboys in First Game
In 1960, the Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in their first game as a franchise at the Cotton Bowl, with a score of 35-28.
1961: The Steelerettes' First Season
In 1961, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first NFL team to have a cheerleading squad, known as the Steelerettes.
1962: Steelers Logo Introduced
In 1962, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced their logo, based on the "Steelmark" designed by Pittsburgh's U.S. Steel and now owned by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
1962: Playoff Bowl Qualification
In 1962, the Pittsburgh Steelers qualified for a "Playoff Bowl" as the second-best team in their conference, although this was not considered an official playoff game.
1963: Steelers Add "ers" to Logo
In 1963, after a petition to AISI, the Pittsburgh Steelers were given permission to add "ers" to the formal Steelmark logo.
1963: End of Steelers' Time at Forbes Field
In 1963, the Pittsburgh Steelers' 31-season tenure at Forbes Field came to an end.
1963: Steelers Uniform Era
The Pittsburgh Steelers played in the 1963 era uniforms.
1964: Steelers Play Exclusively at Pitt Stadium
In 1964, the Steelers played exclusively at Pitt Stadium.
1964: Retirement of Stautner's #70
In 1964, the Steelers retired Stautner's #70 before establishing a 50-year tradition of not retiring numbers.
1964: Steelers Uniform Era
The Pittsburgh Steelers played in the 1964 era uniforms.
1965: Steelers Uniforms
The Pittsburgh Steelers uniforms worn until 1965, served as inspiration for the alternate black Color Rush uniforms introduced in 2016.
1966: End of Major Rivalry Period
From 1933 to 1966, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers were in the same division, marking a period of significant rivalry.
1966: Steelers in the Eastern Conference
In 1966, the Pittsburgh Steelers were part of the Eastern Conference in the NFL, continuing their conference alignment.
1967: Teams Placed in Separate Divisions
In 1967, the Eagles and Steelers were placed in separate divisions, though they remained in the same conference for three years.
1967: Steelers in Century Division
In 1967, the Pittsburgh Steelers were placed in the Century Division of the Eastern Conference, marking a specific divisional alignment.
1968: Steelers Uniform Design
In 1968, the Pittsburgh Steelers' uniform design consisted of gold pants and either black or white jerseys.
1969: Hiring of Chuck Noll
In 1969, Chuck Noll was hired as the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers from the NFL champion Baltimore Colts.
1969: The End of Steelerettes
In 1969, the Steelerettes' run ended; to this day, they were the only cheerleaders the team ever had.
1969: Steelers Conclude Play at Pitt Stadium
In 1969, the Steelers concluded their play at Pitt Stadium.
1970: Oilers Aligned into AFC Central with Steelers
In 1970, the Houston Oilers were aligned into the AFC Central with the Steelers, beginning a long-standing division rivalry.
1970: Move to AFC and Three Rivers Stadium
In 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved into Three Rivers Stadium and became one of three NFL teams to switch to the newly formed American Football Conference during the AFL–NFL merger. They received a $3 million relocation fee.
1970: Drafting Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount
In 1970, the Steelers drafted Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount.
1970: Steelers Move to AFC
In 1970, the Steelers moved to the American Football Conference (AFC), while the Eagles remained in the National Football Conference (NFC), reducing the frequency of their games.
1970: Steelers Placed in AFC Central
In 1970, when the NFL reformed into the NFC and AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers were placed in the AFC Central division.
1970: Steelers in the Modern Era
Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers have achieved the best record in the league, winning the most regular-season games, the most playoff games (33), the most divisional titles (20), and accumulating the most Super Bowl wins (6).
1970: NFL Merger
Since the NFL merger in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers have compiled a regular-season record of 444–282–2 (.635) and an overall record of 480–305–2 (.635) including the playoffs.
1970: Beginning of Steelers-Broncos Rivalry
The Steelers' rivalry with the Denver Broncos dates back to 1970.
1971: Winning Seasons
After several retirements, the franchise skidded to its first losing seasons since 1971.
1971: Start of Era
Beginning in 1971, the Steelers went on a successful run.
1971: Steelers White Pants Uniform
During the 1971 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers wore white pants with their white jerseys.
December 23, 1972: Steelers' First Playoff Victory: The Immaculate Reception
On December 23, 1972, the Steelers achieved their first playoff victory in franchise history with a 13-7 win over the Raiders. The game featured the "Immaculate Reception," a controversial play where Franco Harris caught a deflected pass and scored a touchdown.
1972: Drafting Franco Harris
In 1972, the Steelers drafted Franco Harris.
1972: Continuous Sell Out
Since 1972, the Steelers have sold out every home game.
December 3, 1973: Steelers Start First African-American Quarterback
On December 3, 1973, the Pittsburgh Steelers started Joe Gilliam as their quarterback, making him the first African-American quarterback to start for the team.
1973: Broncos Defeat Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium
In 1973, the Denver Broncos handed the Pittsburgh Steelers their first regular-season defeat at Three Rivers Stadium with a score of 23-13.
1974: Steelers Defeat Raiders in AFC Championship
In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship with a score of 24-13, advancing to the Super Bowl.
1974: Drafting Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster
In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers had an exceptional draft, selecting four future Hall of Famers: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster.
January 12, 1975: Franco Harris Named Super Bowl MVP
On January 12, 1975, Franco Harris became the first African-American player from the Pittsburgh Steelers to be named Super Bowl MVP.
1975: Steelers Win Second Consecutive AFC Championship
In 1975, the Steelers secured their second straight AFC Championship victory over the Raiders with a score of 16-10, earning them another trip to the Super Bowl.
1975: Terrible Towel Rights Given to Allegheny Valley School
In 1975, the rights to the "Terrible Towel" were given to the Allegheny Valley School, which cares for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.
1976: Steelers Win Against Bengals
In 1976, the Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a late-season 7–3 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, eventually winning the division.
1976: Raiders Defeat Steelers in AFC Championship
In 1976, the Raiders defeated the Steelers 24-7 in the AFC Championship game. Before this, Chuck Noll referred to Raider George Atkinson as part of the NFL's "criminal element" after an alleged cheap shot on Lynn Swann, leading to a defamation lawsuit.
1977: Steelers Defeat Cowboys in Regular Season
In 1977, the Cowboys' second and last loss of their season was inflicted by the Steelers, 28–13 at Three Rivers Stadium in November.
1977: Broncos Host and Defeat Steelers in Playoffs
In 1977, the Denver Broncos hosted and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-21 in the divisional round of the playoffs, marking Denver's first playoff game.
1978: 16-Game Schedule
Since the league expanded to a 16-game schedule in 1978, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only NFL team not to have a season with 12 or more losses.
1979: Iowa Hawkeyes Uniform Design
In 1979, Iowa Hawkeyes Head Coach Hayden Fry approached the Pittsburgh Steelers about designing his team's uniforms in the image of the Steelers, leading to the Hawkeyes adopting the Steelers' uniforms as their home and away colors.
1979: Season Performance
In 1979, the Steelers played well against teams that would finish with a losing record that year.
1979: Steelers Win En Route to Super Bowl Title
In 1979, the defending conference champs met again at Three Rivers, the Steelers winning 14-3 en route to winning their fourth Super Bowl title.
1979: "Renegade" Song Release
In 1979, the song "Renegade" by Styx was released.
1980: Missed Playoff Appearance
In the 1980 season, the Steelers suffered a series of injuries and missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record.
1981: 8-8 Season
In 1981, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished the season with an 8-8 record, failing to make the playoffs.
1982: Lynn Swann and Jack Ham Retire
After the 1982 playoff berth, Lynn Swann and Jack Ham retired.
1983: Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount Retire
Following the 1983 divisional championship, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1983: Raiders Defeat Steelers in Terry Bradshaw's Last Game
Following the 1983 regular season, the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Steelers 38-10 in the AFC Divisional round, which marked the final NFL game for Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw due to injury.
September 2, 1984: Steelers Hire First African-American Coordinator
On September 2, 1984, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Tony Dungy as a coordinator, making him the first African-American to hold such a position for the team.
1984: Jack Lambert Retires
After the 1984 AFC Championship Game appearance, Jack Lambert retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1984: Steelers Upset Broncos in Divisional Round
In 1984, the Steelers pulled off an upset victory against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round held at Mile High Stadium, with a score of 24-17.
1987: Steelers Practice at Point Stadium During Strike Season
During the strike season of 1987, the Steelers used Point Stadium in nearby Johnstown for game week practices.
1987: 8-7 Season
In 1987, the year of the players' strike, the Steelers finished with a record of 8–7 but missed the playoffs.
1988: Dan Rooney Ownership
In 1988, Art Rooney's son, Dan Rooney, took ownership of the Steelers, continuing the Rooney family's stewardship of the franchise.
1989: Playoff Appearance
In 1989, the Steelers reached the second round of the playoffs, led by Merrill Hoge and Rod Woodson.
1990: Super Bowl XL Win
Following the expansion to a 12-team post-season tournament in 1990, the Steelers became the first sixth-seeded playoff team to reach and win the Super Bowl in Super Bowl XL.
1992: Chuck Noll Retirement and Bill Cowher Hiring
In 1992, Chuck Noll retired and was succeeded by Bill Cowher, the Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator and a Pittsburgh native.
1994: Selection of NFL All-Time Teams
In 1994, Steelers were named to NFL All-Time Teams as part of the 75th Anniversary.
1994: Steelers Defeat Browns in Postseason
In 1994, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns in the postseason, marking one of their three playoff meetings.
1994: "Here We Go" becomes popular fan song
Since 1994, the song "Here We Go" by local singer Roger Wood has gained popularity among Steelers fans.
1995: Super Bowl XXX Appearance
Following the 1995 season, Bill Cowher led the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, propelled by the "Blitzburgh" defense, but they lost to the Dallas Cowboys.
1996: Patriots defeat Steelers
In 1996, the Patriots defeated the Steelers with a score of 28-3. The Patriots team included players with Pittsburgh-area roots, Ty Law and Curtis Martin.
1996: Cowboys Beat Steelers in Super Bowl
In 1996, the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX. Dallas cornerback Larry Brown intercepted Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O'Donnell twice and was named the game's MVP.
1996: Terrible Towel Proceeds Benefit Allegheny Valley School
Since 1996, the proceeds from the Terrible Towel sales have raised over $2.5 million for the Allegheny Valley School.
1997: Broncos Defeat Steelers in AFC Championship Game
In 1997, the Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21 in the AFC Championship Game held in Pittsburgh.
1997: Oilers Move to Tennessee, Rivalry Shifts
In 1997, the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee, marking a shift in the rivalry with the Steelers as the Titans began to win more games in the series.
1997: Steelers Jersey Number Change
In 1997, the Pittsburgh Steelers switched to rounded numbers on the jersey to match the number font on the helmets, and a Steelers logo was added to the left side of the jersey.
1997: Steelers Win Against Patriots
In 1997, the Steelers defeated the Patriots with a score of 7-6. The Patriots team included players with Pittsburgh-area roots, Ty Law and Curtis Martin. It was also Curtis Martin's final game with the Patriots.
1997: Steelers Uniforms
The Pittsburgh Steelers uniforms worn until 1997, served as inspiration for the third uniform unveiled in 2018.
1998: Steelers Win Inaugural Game at M&T Bank Stadium
In 1998, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the inaugural game played at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 20-13.
1998: Start of Patriots' Dominance
In the period between 1998 and 2007, the Patriots won six out of seven games against the Steelers.
1999: Steelers Dominate Browns after Return to NFL
Since the Cleveland Browns' return to the NFL in 1999, the Pittsburgh Steelers have particularly dominated the Browns, with a significant winning streak.
2000: Ravens Defeat Steelers in Season Opener
During their NFL championship season in 2000, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh with a score of 16-0 in the season opener. However, the Steelers later exacted revenge in Baltimore.
2000: Construction of UPMC Sportsplex
In 2000, the Steelers' headquarters and practice facilities were constructed at the state-of-the-art University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sportsplex.
2000: Steelers Upset Raiders
Towards the end of the 2000 season, the Steelers achieved an upset victory against the Raiders, preventing them from securing homefield advantage in the playoffs.
2001: Titans Win Streak Against Steelers
Between 1997 and 2001, the Tennessee Titans won seven consecutive games against the Steelers, marking the longest win streak by either team in the series.
2001: Opening of Heinz Field
In 2001, Heinz Field was built on Pittsburgh's North Side in the North Shore neighborhood, replacing Three Rivers Stadium as the home of the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. It was later renamed Acrisure Stadium.
2001: Ravens Hand Steelers First Loss at Heinz Field
In 2001, the Baltimore Ravens handed the Pittsburgh Steelers their first-ever loss at Heinz Field, with a score of 13-10. Later that season, the Steelers won a divisional playoff game against Baltimore.
2001: Patriots upset Steelers in AFC Championship Game
In 2001, the New England Patriots upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field, marking a significant moment in their rivalry.
2001: Steelers Move to Heinz Field
In 2001, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved into Heinz Field.
2001: Steelers Realigned to AFC North Division
In 2001, the Pittsburgh Steelers were realigned into the AFC North Division, marking a significant change in their divisional alignment.
July 24, 2002: Steelers Hire First Female Athletic Trainer
On July 24, 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Ariko Iso as a full-time athletic trainer, marking the first time a female was hired for such a position by the team.
2002: Patriots Defeat Steelers at Start of Season
At the beginning of the 2002 season, the Patriots defeated the Steelers with a score of 30-14, continuing their dominance after the 2001 AFC Championship upset.
2002: Steelers Defeat Browns in Postseason
In 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns in the postseason, marking one of their three playoff meetings.
2002: Titans Defeat Steelers in Playoff Showdown
In 2002, the Tennessee Titans defeated the Steelers in a bitter 34-31 playoff showdown, contributing to their success in the rivalry since moving from Houston.
2002: "Renegade" Played at Games
Since 2002, the 1979 Styx song "Renegade" is played near the end of the third quarter or the start of the fourth quarter at the start of a defensive stand to rally the crowd, featuring a compilation of recent Steelers defensive highlights.
2002: Raiders' Decline After 2002
The rivalry between the Steelers and Raiders has dissipated over the years, mostly due to the Raiders' decline after 2002.
2003: Steelers Win Streak Against Browns
Between 2003 and 2009, the Pittsburgh Steelers won twelve straight meetings against the Cleveland Browns, showcasing their dominance in the rivalry.
2004: Steelers End Patriots Winning Streak, Lose AFC Championship
In 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers ended the New England Patriots' record-setting 21-game winning streak during week 6 of the NFL season. However, later that season, the Steelers lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
2004: Steelers Win Against Cowboys
In 2004, the Steelers won against the Cowboys, marking one of their first two meetings of the 21st century.
2004: Myron Cope's retirement
Myron Cope, the longtime color analyst and inventor of the "Terrible Towel", retired after the 2004 season.
2004: Browns Losing Streak in Pittsburgh
The Cleveland Browns posted a losing streak of 15 games in Pittsburgh starting in 2004 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting the Steelers' home dominance.
2005: Steelers Eliminate Bengals from Playoffs
In 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers were responsible for ending the Cincinnati Bengals' season, eliminating them from the playoffs.
2005: Bengals Beat Steelers
In Week 13 of the 2005 season, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 38–31. Bengals wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh used a Terrible Towel to polish his cleats after the game, further fueling the rivalry.
2005: AFC Wildcard Playoff Game
In the 2005 AFC Wildcard playoff game, the Pittsburgh Steelers won a 31–17 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals after Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was injured. This game intensified the rivalry between the two teams.
2006: WDVE and WBGG become flagship radio stations
As of 2006, WDVE 102.5 FM and WBGG 970 AM were the flagship radio stations for the Steelers.
2006: Cowher's Final Season
In 2006, Bill Cowher coached his final season with the Steelers, which ended with an 8–8 record, just short of the playoffs.
2006: Steelers and Bengals Finish with Identical Records
In 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals finished with identical records (8–8), splitting the regular-season series. The Bengals won the tiebreaker due to a superior division record.
2006: Steelers Take Bengals Out of Contention
In 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers took the Cincinnati Bengals out of contention for the playoffs.
2006: Raiders Upset Victory
In week 8 of the 2006 NFL season, the Raiders achieved an upset victory over the Steelers with a score of 20-13, contributing to the Steelers missing a playoff berth.
2006: Racetracks add video slot machines
Since 2006, some Rooney brothers' racetracks added video slot machines, potentially conflicting with NFL policies regarding gambling interests.
January 7, 2007: Bill Cowher's Resignation
On January 7, 2007, Bill Cowher resigned as the coach of the Steelers to spend more time with his family.
January 22, 2007: Mike Tomlin Announced as Head Coach
On January 22, 2007, Mike Tomlin, the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, was announced as Bill Cowher's successor, becoming the first African-American head coach in Steelers history.
2007: Announcement of updated All-Time team
In 2007, in celebration of the franchise's 75th season, the team announced an updated All-Time team of the 33 best players who have ever played for the Steelers.
2007: Steelers Introduce Third Uniform
In 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced a third uniform consisting of a black jersey with gold lettering, white pants with black and gold stripes, and a gold helmet, for their 75th anniversary season.
2007: Third Uniform Introduced
In 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced a third uniform designed to evoke the memory of the 1963-1964 era uniforms.
2007: Introduction of Steely McBeam
In the 2007 season, the Steelers introduced Steely McBeam as their official mascot, chosen from 70,000 suggestions. The name represents Pittsburgh's industrial heritage, the Rooney family's Irish roots, and steel beams.
2007: End of Patriots' Dominance
In the period between 1998 and 2007, the Patriots won six out of seven games against the Steelers.
2007: Mike Tomlin Hired as Head Coach
Prior to the 2007 season, Mike Tomlin was hired as the current head coach of the Steelers.
August 2008: Steelers' fans ranked best in NFL
In August 2008, ESPN.com ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers' fans as the best in the NFL, noting their 299-game sellout streak.
December 7, 2008: Steelers Defeat Cowboys in Comeback Victory
On December 7, 2008, the Steelers achieved a come-from-behind victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Pittsburgh, tying the game and then securing the win with a late interception return.
2008: Steelers Beat Ravens Three Times
During the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2008 Championship run, they beat the Baltimore Ravens three times, including a win in the AFC Championship game.
2008: Rooney family brings in investors
In 2008, the Rooney family brought in investors to comply with NFL ownership regulations while retaining control of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was done as Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II wanted to stay involved, while Timothy and Patrick Rooney wished to further pursue racetrack interests.
2008: Steelers Break Patriots' Streak with Victory
In 2008, the Steelers defeated the Patriots 33-10 at Foxborough, breaking a long losing streak. Matt Cassel of the Patriots had five turnovers in the game.
2008: Death of Myron Cope
Myron Cope, the longtime color analyst and inventor of the Terrible Towel, died in 2008.
February 1, 2009: Super Bowl XLIII Victory
On February 1, 2009, Mike Tomlin led the Pittsburgh Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII with a 27–23 win against the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl at age 36.
2009: Steelers Win Streak Against Browns
Between 2003 and 2009, the Pittsburgh Steelers won twelve straight meetings against the Cleveland Browns, showcasing their dominance in the rivalry.
2009: Raiders Upset Victory Cost Steelers Playoff Run
In Week 13 of the 2009 season, the Raiders secured another upset victory against the Steelers, with the game featuring five lead changes on five touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski's third touchdown of the quarter won the game with nine seconds remaining. The 27–24 loss prevented the Steelers from making a playoff run.
2010: Steelers Blow Out Raiders Amidst Controversy
In 2010, the Steelers defeated the Raiders 35-3, ending their 3-game winning streak. The game was also notable for a punch thrown by Richard Seymour of the Raiders against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
2010: AFC North Title and Super Bowl XLV Appearance
In the 2010 season, Mike Tomlin led the Steelers to a 12-4 record and an AFC North title, advancing to Super Bowl XLV, making him the only coach to reach the Super Bowl twice before the age of 40.
February 6, 2011: Super Bowl XLV Loss
On February 6, 2011, the Steelers, coached by Mike Tomlin, were defeated by the Green Bay Packers 31–25 in Super Bowl XLV.
2011: Steelers Appear in Super Bowl XLV
In 2011, after appearing in Super Bowl XLV, the Steelers had their campaign to repeat as AFC Champions dashed in Denver.
2011: Broncos Lead in Playoff Meetings vs Steelers
In 2011, the Denver Broncos surpassed the Oakland Raiders for the most playoff meetings against the Steelers.
2011: Steelers Use Third Uniform
In 2011, the Pittsburgh Steelers continued to use their third uniform consisting of a black jersey with gold lettering, white pants with black and gold stripes, and a gold helmet.
2011: Playoff Loss to the Denver Broncos
In the 2011 season, the Steelers made the postseason with a 12–4 record but lost in overtime to the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round.
January 2012: Broncos Upset Steelers in Overtime
In January 2012, the Tim Tebow-led Denver Broncos upset the Steelers in overtime, dashing the Steelers' hopes of repeating as AFC Champions. The game was later dubbed the "316 game".
December 16, 2012: Cowboys Defeat Steelers in Overtime
On December 16, 2012, the Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-24 in overtime at Cowboys Stadium.
2012: New Third Uniform Introduced
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced a new third uniform featuring a yellow jersey with black horizontal lines, representing the jerseys worn in their 1934 season. These "bumblebee jerseys" were used through the 2016 season.
2012: Raiders Erase Deficit to Defeat Steelers
In 2012, the Raiders erased a 31-21 deficit to win 34-31 against the Steelers.
2012: 400th Victory and Missed Postseason
The Steelers recorded their 400th victory in Week 8 of the 2012 season after defeating the Washington Redskins, but they finished the season with an 8–8 record and missed the postseason.
2013: Patriots Score 55 Points on Steelers
In 2013, the Patriots became the first opponent to score 55 points on the Steelers, winning the game 55-31.
2013: Raiders Defeat Steelers Again
In 2013, the Raiders defeated the Steelers with a score of 21-18.
2013: Missed Postseason
In the 2013 season, the Steelers went 8–8 and missed the postseason.
2013: The Killer B's
The 2013 season began the era of record performances from the "Killer B's", consisting of Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell. Occasionally, the "Killer B's" has also included kicker Chris Boswell.
2014: Retirement of Greene's #75
In 2014, the Steelers retired Greene's #75 and left the possibility open that they would retire other players' jersey numbers at later dates.
2014: AFC North Title and Playoff Loss
In the 2014 season, the Steelers won the AFC North with an 11–5 record but lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.
2015: Edmund Nelson Retires from Broadcasting
In 2015, former Steelers lineman Edmund Nelson retired from broadcasting.
2015: Another Playoff Meeting Between Broncos and Steelers
In 2015, the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers had another playoff meeting, further solidifying their rivalry.
2015: Patriots defeat Steelers
In 2015, the Patriots defeated the Steelers with a score of 28-21.
2015: Steelers and Broncos Split Games
In 2015, the Steelers defeated the Broncos in the regular season, but lost in the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs.
2015: Steelers Defeat Raiders at Heinz Field
In 2015, the Steelers defeated the Raiders 38-35 at Heinz Field.
2015: Rivalry Intensifies
Since the 2015 season, the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals has intensified, particularly due to Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict's actions. In the 2015 Wild Card playoff game, Burfict's penalty contributed to a Steelers victory.
2015: Playoff Appearance and Divisional Round Loss
The Steelers finished with a 10–6 record in the 2015 season, making the playoffs, where they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round but lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.
November 13, 2016: Cowboys Win at Heinz Field
On November 13, 2016, the Cowboys won against the Steelers at Heinz Field with a score of 35-30.
November 2016: Launch of the Chuck Noll Foundation
In November 2016, the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research was launched with a $1 million donation from the Steelers.
2016: Patriots Win Regular Season and AFC Championship Against Steelers
In 2016, the Patriots won both the regular season game (27-16) and the AFC Championship Game (36-17) against the Steelers.
2016: Color Rush Uniforms Introduced
In 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced their alternate black Color Rush uniforms, based on the uniforms worn from 1946 to 1965 but with black pants.
2016: Bumblebee Jerseys Retired
In 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers retired the "bumblebee jerseys", which had been used as a third uniform since 2012.
2016: AFC North Title and AFC Championship Loss
In the 2016 season, the Steelers won the AFC North with an 11–5 record and defeated the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs before falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship.
June 2017: Inaugural Charity Walk Announced
In June 2017, the Steelers announced an inaugural charity walk to raise money for the Chuck Noll Foundation.
August 1, 2017: Establishment of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
On August 1, 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor was established.
2017: Dan Rooney's Death and Team Ownership
Following Dan Rooney's death in 2017, he and Art Rooney II retained control of the Pittsburgh Steelers with the league-minimum 30%, and the remaining ownership was composed of other investors.
2017: Death of Dan Rooney
In 2017, Dan Rooney passed away, after owning the team since 1988, with much control of the franchise given to his son, Art Rooney II.
2017: Controversial Call in Patriots vs. Steelers Game
In 2017, a go-ahead touchdown reception by Steelers' tight end Jesse James was controversially called back in a game against the Patriots, sparking debate among fans and analysts.
2017: Steelers Reach 450 Regular Season Victories
In 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team to reach 450 regular-season victories since the 1970 merger of the AFL and NFL, marking a significant milestone in their history.
2017: AFC North Title and Playoff Loss to Jaguars
In the 2017 season, the Steelers won the AFC North with a 13–3 record, but their postseason ended with a 45–42 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
December 9, 2018: Raiders Defeat Steelers, Costing Playoff Berth
On December 9, 2018, the Raiders defeated the Steelers 24-21 in Oakland, which ultimately cost Pittsburgh a playoff berth.
December 16, 2018: Steelers Defeat Patriots
On December 16, 2018, the Steelers defeated the Patriots 17-10 in Pittsburgh, although they ultimately missed the playoffs that season.
2018: Missed Playoffs
Despite a 9–6–1 record in the 2018 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers missed the playoffs.
2018: Third Uniform Unveiled
In 2018, the Pittsburgh Steelers unveiled a third uniform based on those worn from 1968 to 1997, coinciding with the Steel Curtain teams of the 1970s.
2019: Selection of NFL All-Time Teams
In 2019, Steelers were named to NFL All-Time Teams as part of the 100th Anniversary.
2019: Missed Playoffs
In the 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers went 8–8 and missed the playoffs.
2019: Opening of Steelers Country at Kennywood
In the summer of 2019, Kennywood theme park near Pittsburgh opened Steelers Country, a new land themed to the Pittsburgh Steelers, featuring the Steel Curtain coaster.
2020: Training Camp Held at Heinz Field Due to COVID-19
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Steelers held their training camp at Heinz Field.
2020: Steelers Win Against Titans at Nissan Stadium
In 2020, the Steelers defeated the Titans 27-24 at Nissan Stadium, contributing to their overall lead in career meetings.
2020: 11-0 Start and Wild Card Loss
The 2020 season saw the Pittsburgh Steelers have a franchise-best 11–0 start, but they faded at the end of the season to finish 12–4. The team lost in the Wild Card Round to the Cleveland Browns 48–37.
September 19, 2021: Raiders Win at Pittsburgh
On September 19, 2021, the Raiders won at Pittsburgh with a score of 26-17.
October 10, 2021: Steelers Beat Broncos in Pittsburgh
On October 10, 2021, the Steelers defeated the Broncos in Pittsburgh by a score of 27-19.
2021: Steelers vs Cowboys All-Star Matchup
Between the Cowboys and Steelers, Super Bowl XIII had the greatest number of future Pro Football Hall of Fame players participating, which as of 2021 numbered 25.
2021: Training Camp Held at Heinz Field Due to COVID-19
In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Steelers held their training camp at Heinz Field.
2021: Browns Defeat Steelers in Postseason
In 2021, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the postseason, marking one of their three playoff meetings.
2021: Playoff Appearance and Ben Roethlisberger Retirement
The 2021 season saw the Pittsburgh Steelers go 9–7–1 and make the postseason, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round. Longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired following the season.
2021: Mike Tomlin's Record
Through the end of the 2021 season, Mike Tomlin's record is 162–94–2 (.632), including playoffs. He is the first Pittsburgh coach to never post a losing season.
February 2022: Stadium Renamed to Acrisure Stadium
In February 2022, after Heinz declined to renew their deal, the Steelers signed a deal with Acrisure, and the stadium was renamed Acrisure Stadium.
2022: Return to Saint Vincent College for Training Camp
In 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to Saint Vincent College for their training camp.
2022: Steelers Beat Raiders on Last-Minute Touchdown
On Christmas Eve 2022, the Steelers defeated the Raiders 13-10 at Pittsburgh with a last-minute touchdown by rookie Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
2022: Drafting Kenny Pickett and Missed Postseason
Prior to the 2022 season, the team drafted Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. In the 2022 season, Pickett started 12 games as the Steelers went 9–8 and missed the postseason.
September 23, 2023: Raiders Defeat Steelers, Contribute to Coach Firing
On September 23, 2023, the Raiders defeated the Steelers 23-18 in Vegas, contributing to the subsequent firing of Raiders coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler.
2023: Playoff Loss
In the 2023 season, the team finished 10–7 and third in the AFC North. They made the playoffs and were defeated by the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round 31–17.
2023: Bill Hillgrove's retirement
Longtime lead announcer Bill Hillgrove retired after the 2023 season.
2023: Steelers All-Time Record Through 2023
Through the end of the 2023 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers hold an all-time record of 707–606–22, including playoff games. The team has performed well in recent seasons, making the playoffs six times in the past ten seasons and winning their division four times.
2024: Raiders Lead All-Time Series
As of the 2024 season, the Raiders lead the all-time series against the Steelers 17-16.
2024: Eagles Win Recent Meeting Against Steelers
In 2024, the Eagles won their most recent meeting against the Steelers with a score of 27-13 at Lincoln Financial Field.
2024: Trades and Signings
Prior to the 2024 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. The team traded for Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears and signed Russell Wilson, who was released from the Denver Broncos.
Mentioned in this timeline
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