Steelers Franchise Born 88 Years Ago Today

Steelers Founder Art Rooney Eagles
Statue of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney outside of Heinz Field. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise is celebrating its 88th birthday today.

While Art Rooney Sr. applied to create the franchise on May 19, 1933, it was not until July 8 of that year that the Steelers were officially announced as an addition to the still budding National Football League.

The Pittsburgh Professional Football Club Inc. was born as a result, and all it cost Rooney was $2,500.

Although confusing in retrospect, the first team called themselves the “Pirates” and played their home games at Forbes Field.

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