The Steelers Reader

by Roberts, Randy

• ISBN13: 9780822957720
• ISBN10: 0822957728
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

Summary

From their founding by Art Rooney in 1933 through their rousing victory in the final game at Three Rivers Stadium in 2000, the Pittsburgh Steelers have captured the imagination of their fans as very few teams have done in the history of sport. The team and its hometown have shared frustration and joy, hard times and hope, loss and renewal. Drawing from a variety of sources, including local newspapers and national magazines, Randy Roberts and David Welky have assembled a collection of the best writing about the Steelers and the personalities who have made the franchise unforgettable, including: Edward Linn on the tragic death of defensive tackle Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb; Red Smith on Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception; Paul Zimmerman on the teamrs"s record-breaking fourth championship in 1979; Frank Defordrs"s homage to the grace of Lynn Swann, both on and off the field; Ed Bouchette comparing the teams of the 1970s and 1990s. Reminiscences by former players including Terry Bradshaw, Steve Courson, and Andy Russell appear alongside articles by Shirley Povich, Jim Murray, Roy Blount Jr., John Lardner, and many more.

Author Biography

Randy Roberts, professor of history at Purdue University, is a native of Pittsburgh and the editor of Pittsburgh Sports David Welky received his Ph.D. in history from Purdue University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
From Pirates to Steagles
"What I'm Telling You Is That We've Tried"	p. 17
Rooney's Ride	p. 30
Michigan All-American Goes Over with a Bang	p. 34
Pirates Rally to Defeat Cards, 14-13	p. 36
Not a Cardboard Hero	p. 40
Johnny Blood: Before Hell-Raising Came into Vogue, His "Unfettered" Style Was NFL Legend	p. 43
Rooney Gives Up the Steelers	p. 48
Rooney Sells Pro Football Club to Boston Promoter	p. 49
Thompson Wise Choosing to Operate Here	p. 51
Thompson to Keep Pros Here; Say Sale Price Is $160,000	p. 52
Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Franchise Switch	p. 55
Steelers Wind Up Best Season against Packer Eleven	p. 56
When the Steagles Roamed on Gridiron	p. 57
Pre-Renaissance Steelers
"Ref, He's Holding!"	p. 65
Ernie Stautner Raps Booing Fans	p. 70
Senior Citizen of the Pittsburgh Steelers	p. 72
Hard to name an Equal for Layne	p. 75
Kiss the Guy or Tackle Him?	p. 78
The Sad End of Big Daddy Lipscomb	p. 84
The Steelers: Pro Football's Gashouse Gang	p. 96
Reflections on the Pre-Renaissance Steelers	p. 101
Pittsburgh	p. 116
A Break for the 49ers	p. 125
Heights of Mediocrity	p. 126
The Battle of Gloomsday	p. 127
Art Rooney: He's a Winner Who Always Backs a Loser	p. 130
Chuck Noll	p. 134
Reasons for Hope
Football's Poverty Pocket No More	p. 147
Fascination in Frustration	p. 149
No Ancient History, Please	p. 152
Fans (Hic) Toast Victory by Browns	p. 155
Stand Up and Cheer	p. 158
A Good Roar	p. 161
How Fort Duquesne Repelled Raiders	p. 169
Madden: Raiders Were Robbed	p. 171
Football Won't Be Same If Pittsburgh Gets in Super Bowl	p. 173
Moosie and the Old Ranger	p. 176
Joe Greene	p. 189
Cornerstone of a Dynasty: Mean Joe Greene, Football Machine	p. 198
Super Steelers: All Over for Oakland before Terry's Raid	p. 207
It's SUPER!!! Steelers Bowl Over Vikings	p. 210
Super Bowl Fans Contrast in Style	p. 214
They Were Just Too Much	p. 218
Winners Make Plays: Jack Lambert	p. 225
The Ascent of an Enigma	p. 229
Rating My Peers: Lynn Swann	p. 242
Champagne, Roses, and Donuts	p. 243
Transitions
Remembering "The Chief"	p. 259
Greene Mourns ... with a Cigar	p. 260
Mr. Rooney: The Only Legend I Ever Knew	p. 264
The Spirit of Place	p. 269
Rock and Roll, Sex and Drugs	p. 285
Noll May Have Checked Out Earlier Than He Wanted To	p. 290
Here We Go, Stillers: Cowher Wins His First	p. 293
No Steel Curtain Call	p. 296
Super Bowl XXX	p. 304
See Slash Run, See Slash Throw, See Slash Catch	p. 314
Let's Not Forget the Great Times at Three Rivers	p. 324
Blast from the Past	p. 326
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.