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NFL 4th of July Celebration: Greatest Patriotic Moments

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Arizona Cardinals fans wearing Pat Tillman jerseys (L-R) Dave Schile, Bruce Goff and Dave Schile Jr. look on outside of Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Arizona Cardinals fans wearing Pat Tillman jerseys (L-R) Dave Schile, Bruce Goff and Dave Schile Jr. look on outside of Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch for a first-down against Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch for a first-down against Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Steelers combine with two teams during World War II to avoid folding

The Pittsburgh Steelers today are revered as one of the premier franchises in the NFL. Winning six Super Bowls can do that. Here’s the thing though. That team came extremely close to fading out of existence at one point in its history. If not for the generous actions of two other franchises, this would’ve been the case. How might the NFL have been different?

In 1943 and 1944, World War II was placed ever-increasing demands on American manpower. Athletes from every sport were hanging up the jerseys for army, navy or air force uniforms. The NFL was no different. Rosters everywhere were being hit hard by the losses. None more so than Pittsburgh who had just six players on their roster ahead of the 1943 season.

So in a rare act of preservation, the NFL decided to merge the Steelers with their fellow Pennsylvania franchise, the Philadelphia Eagles to create the ‘Steagles’ in order to keep both teams afloat. A year later Pittsburgh did it again with the Chicago Cardinals. The war soon passed and players returned from active duty. The Steelers were saved.

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