The Steagles were a team formed during World War II, in response to the shortage of players available due to military service. The Steagles were the result of a temporary merger between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles for one season (1943). The name "Steagles" was a combination of both teams' names. The team played just one season together before the merger was dissolved. In this blog post, we will discuss the history of The Steagles and what led to their short-lived existence!
The Pittsburgh Steelers History
Established in 1933, the Pittsburgh Steelers hold the record as the oldest franchise of the (American Football Conference) AFC North division and are one of seven teams from (National Football League) NFL's founding to remain intact. Their decades-long success is evident through their numerous championship wins - they have won eight AFC championships, more than any other team in its conference! The Steelers continue to dominate with an exciting offense and a defensive powerhouse that rivals even today's top football clubs.
For forty fruitless years, the Steelers tirelessly worked towards a championship title. But their efforts finally paid off in 1972 when they won the AFC Central division title. Then two years later, amid loud cheers and celebration, Art Rooney - known all around as one of sports' greatest figures - was presented with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team's remarkable triumph at Super Bowl IX.
Pittsburgh Steelers' dominance in the 1970s all began with Head Coach Chuck Noll, who took control of the team back in '69. This illustrious group was composed of legendary players such as defensive tackle Joe Greene and linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert, just to name a few. Their superstar quarterback Terry Bradshaw, corner-back Mel Blount, and running back Franco Harris formed an unstoppable force that many consider still today to be one of the best professional football teams ever seen on a pro football field. Proving this sentiment true is their induction into The Hall of Fame at record speed upon first year eligibility - including Noll himself!
The Philadelphia Eagles History
Philadelphia welcomed the Eagles to their city with open arms when a syndicate led by Bert Bell and Lud Wray bought the former Frankford Yellow Jackets franchise in 1933 for only $2,500. The Philadelphia Eagles are the oldest NFL team in the NFC East division, and their first season was back in 1933. Then, in an unusual move that would make history, both clubs relocated cities through a swap between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh; Alexis Thompson became owner of the Eagles as part of this unique transformation.
Eagles coach Greasy Neale was the head coach of the Eagles from 1943 to 1953 and guided them through some of their most triumphant moments in NFL history. With a strong roster featuring talent such as Steve Van Buren, Alex Wojciechowicz, Pete Pihos and Chuck Bednarik (from 1949 onwards), they remained among Eastern division's top teams for six seasons straight! While landing second place in 1944, 1945 and 1946 years respectively; they eventually clinched the first-place title during the 1947 season before securing back-to-back shutout wins at 1948 & 1949 championship games.
After a series of severe injuries, Philadelphia's reign of power diminished and the Eagles found themselves in last place by 1958. Fortunately for them, that same year marked the beginning of their restoration process thanks to Buck Shaw’s coaching efforts and Norm Van Brocklin being welcomed aboard from Los Angeles Rams through a trade. IIn a mere three years, Shaw was able to bring home yet another championship title for Philadelphia. Led by Van Brocklin's skillful on-field direction, the Eagles won their Eastern division with an impressive 10-2 record and then proceeded to defeat Green Bay Packers 17-13 in the NFL Championship game. Bednarik sealed their victory with a heroic open field tackle of Jim Taylor.
Pro Football Hall League History: The NFL Teams Forced to Merge by World War II
In 1943, with the onset of World War II, the United States was in a state of crisis. The NFL was also facing struggles due to many teams being unable to field enough players - as they had all been drafted into the armed services. As World War II began, the National Football League was on shaky ground. However, it managed to thrive due in part to smart decisions made by many of its NFL owners and saved pro football. The result is joining NFL teams together, the two teams were forced to merge forming what some now call "The Steagles" (Steelers and Eagles).
The Steagles were a temporary professional football team created by the combined team of two NFL teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, during the 1943 season. The league approved it and it marked the first time that an NFL team had combined two college football teams. Hence, as the only professional sports team that came from a unification of two competing teams, the Steagles would be remembered as one of the most remarkable stories in sports history.
The Last Team Standing: The Steagles Team
The Steagles players came from both the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, although most of them were from the former. It was composed of players who had been drafted into the military during World War II, including Hall of Famers like quarterback Sammy Baugh and wide receiver Don Hutson for the Eagles, as well as Washington Redskins' greats Sid Luckman and Steve Van Buren for the Steelers. The team was rounded out by players who had been released from duty or were not drafted at all or were unfit for military service.
When the Steagles football team was first formed, their competitive spirits overshadowed any desire to band together as a team. In addition, the two co-head coaches appointed to foster harmony among players had an intense dislike for each other. Eventually, however, the team was able to surpass its differences and worked together to become a powerful entity.
Steagles Game Statistics
The Steagles played their first game on September 26, 1943 against the New York Giants, winning 13-10 in a close game. They followed that up with 10 consecutive wins against their opponents, including the Steelers, Redskins, Chicago Bears and Rams.
The Chicago Cardinals, however, managed to break the Steagles winning streak on December 5th with a spectacular 6-point win. The Steagles' success lasted for one NFL season (1943) and ended after the 1944 season when both teams were able to fill their rosters with enough players. The Steagles finished the season with a 9-1 record and an impressive +86 point differential. It was one of their best seasons in franchise history, despite having to overcome numerous obstacles throughout the year.
Under the leadership of co-head coaches Greasy Neale (Eagles) and Steelers coach, Walt Kiesling, the Steagles managed to finish the 1943 season with a 5-4-1 record, good enough for third place in their division. The team experienced some hard times after that, but the Steagles remained among Eastern division's top teams for six seasons straight!
The Steagles' winning season lasted for only one brief season, but they were a force to be reckoned with and are remembered fondly as one of the most unique stories in football league record history. The Steagles laid the foundation for similar joint operations between teams, like the Baltimore Colts and New York Yanks (1950-1951), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins (1976).
The Steagles had an immediate impact on both teams’ performances for that season, with both improving their record from the previous year. In fact, the team ended up winning seven out of ten games with a .700 winning percentage, which was impressive even by today's standards! Even though this only lasted one season before being dissolved, it had a lasting effect on how coaches used players' positions and strategies in order to get the most out of their team.
The Steagles Saved Pro Football
Loudly arguing sports fans, sports writers, and skeptics were silenced when the Steagles became a success story. It proved to be an experiment that had paid off and the NFL was saved from financial ruin during those troubled times. The Steagles' success also helped give birth to the American Football League which would later merge with the National Football League in 1970.
The Steagles remain as a significant piece of football history, and their legacy lives on today. While they only lasted one season, The Steagles were able to make an impactful contribution to professional football despite the circumstances of the time. Their story serves as an example of what can be achieved when two teams come together and work collaboratively. Without the Steagles, professional football would not be as popular as it is today.
Without their success and legacy, the game of football might never have grown to become the popular sport it is today. The Steagles' story serves as an example of what can happen when teams put aside their differences and work together for a common purpose.
