FORGING A DYNASTY

We finally make it to the start of the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers' season and there are still many hurdles yet to overcome, including a quarterback controversy, and a player strike.   

In Episode 6 we explore the years leading up to the 1974 season... including the drafting of Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris... the Immaculate Reception and the legion of fans that became Steeler Nation. 

Episode 5 explores Steeler coach Coach Noll's road to Pittsburgh and the foundation of the NFL's biggest competition to date, the American Football League.  The AFL's founder and Chief's Owner Lamar Hunt brought about many changes in the NFL and brought about the end of one of Art's closest friends.   

Episode 4 covers the 50s and 60s of the struggling Steelers, and dives into three topics that influenced the team's 70 Dynasty.  The Pittsburgh Renaissance which remade the city and provided a new home for the Steelers, the upstart AAFL which brought more competition for players and forced the end of segregation, which we will explore by discussing UCLA famed Gold Dust Gang. 

This episode covers the Steelers sale and what was called the Pennsylvania Polka.  It also covers the NFL during World War 2 and the creation of the merged team called The Steagles.  And finally, it dives into Art Rooney's struggles with coaching and includes histories for coaches Johnny Blood and Jock Sutherland. 

Episode 2 explores the history of Steeler's founder Art Rooney Sr. as well as the early years of the NFL.  

Forging a Dynasty is a narrative history of the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers.   In episode 1 we explore the greatest NFL draft class by a team in history, with five Hall of Famers, including Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, Mike Webster and Donnie Shell.