There is no arguing that the Pittsburg Steelers have been one of the more successful teams in the history of the National Football League, and have certainly been the most successful when it comes to the Super Bowl. During the team’s 67 years as a franchise, they have played in the most title games in the AFC than any NFL team, and have also won more of those contests.
With a total of six victories in the Super Bowl, they reign supreme. In fact, since the 1970s, there has not been a decade that did not have at least one of its Super Bowl games with the Steelers as a participant. Their greatest years, however, would have to be that period that saw them win four Super Bowl titles under one single quarterback: the Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw.
The man with the arm of steel
Younger fans of the game may only know Bradshaw from his current activity as a commentator for Fox Sports, and as a longtime verbal foil for Howie Long. There was a time, though, when “Mister Steel Arm” – as he was known during his time with the Steelers – was one of the best field generals of his time. Bradshaw had a strong arm, to be sure, but it was his strong presence on the field that played the largest role in his ability to lead the dominating Steelers teams of the 1970s. Never the flashiest of players (he seldom had games in which he threw the ball for more than a couple hundred yards), Bradshaw nevertheless knew how to win games and was allowed to make his own play calls for the fourteen seasons he spent in the NFL.
A true leader
When he was drafted before the start of the 1970 season, many anticipated that he would immediately be the starting quarterback. He did not, in fact, start until the 1971 season. As it turns out, this number one draft pick from Louisiana needed time to get his game in line with NFL expectations. This, of course, gave many people around the NFL and in the media the idea that he was too dull-brained to quarterback at the NFL level – a notion that may have been bolstered by Bradshaw’s “aw shucks” accent and demeanor. Within a few short years, he began to demonstrate the style and skill level that enabled his Steelers team to win eight titles in their division, and become Super Bowl Champions four times.
How good was he?
Today, Bradshaw is remembered – when he is remembered as a player at all – as a quarterback who relied primarily upon the Steel Curtain defense to win games and titles. Far too few fans of today’s game recognize just how powerful his passing could be, and how the threat of a Bradshaw deep pass could loosen up any opposing defense and strengthen the running game. Bradshaw has always maintained a reserved perspective on his many accomplishments, and has even taken in stride the ridicule he experienced as a quarterback for his alleged lower than average intelligence. In response to the notion that he was not smart enough to have been as great of a field general as history records, Bradshaw has simply pointed out that he didn’t have to be any smarter than he was because football isn’t rocket science. The truth is that if it were, his accomplishments would qualify him as a rocket scientist!
Freddie Brister is a huge fan of all sports and recommends checking out his and at his shop.
Related posts:
- Panic for Pittsburgh Steelers Fans The Pittsbugh Steelers were on top of the world after...
- Steelers Shut Out Buffalo In ‘Big Ben’s’ Return To Action Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp in his return to the Pittsburgh...
- Take an Exciting Time During Your Vacation in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh is often a town in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Having a...
- Steelers Win 12th Straight Over Browns The Pittsburgh Steelers have been playing the Cleveland Browns for...
- Steelers Top Cards In Preseason NFL Action The Pittsburgh Steelers used a 17 point fourth quarter outburst...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Tags: football, NFL, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, sport