Pittsburgh Steelers

Lore & Background

The Steelers of the post-merger era are among the most successful NFL franchises, especially during their dynasty in the 1970s. The team is tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl titles, with six, and holds the NFL record with 16 conference championship game appearances and 11 hosted. The Steelers have also won eight AFC championships, tied with the Denver Broncos and trailing only the Patriots' record 12. They are also tied with the Broncos, the Dallas Cowboys, and the San Francisco 49ers for the second-most Super Bowl appearances, with eight.

In Their Own Story

The rivalry reached its peak intensity in the 1970s postseason. In Super Bowl X, Pittsburgh defeated Dallas 21–17 after safety Glen Edwards intercepted a Staubach pass to seal the win. The game was marked by raw hostility; when Steelers kicker Roy Gerela missed a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter, Cowboys safety Cliff Harris mockingly patted his helmet and thanked him for "helping Dallas out." This provoked Steeler linebacker Jack Lambert, who immediately shoved Harris to the ground, though officials allowed him to stay. The teams met again in Super Bowl XIII, widely considered one of the greatest games ever played, featuring a record 20 players, coaches, and front-office staff eventually enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pittsburgh won that contest 35–31. Even when they met in the regular season in 1979 at Three Rivers Stadium for a 14–3 Steelers victory, fans believed it was a preview of Super Bowl XIV, though Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round before Pittsburgh faced and defeated the Rams.

Reader's Guide

The Steelers currently play their home games at Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh's North Side in the North Shore neighborhood, which also hosts the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Built in 2001 as Heinz Field, the stadium replaced Three Rivers Stadium, which had hosted the Steelers for 31 seasons. Prior to Three Rivers, the Steelers had played their games in Pitt Stadium and at Forbes Field.

Did You Know?

• The Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC.
• The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl titles, with six.
• The Steelers hold the NFL record with 16 conference championship game appearances and 11 hosted.
• The Steelers are tied with the Broncos, the Dallas Cowboys, and the San Francisco 49ers for the second-most Super Bowl appearances, with eight.