Steelers Primary Logo
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most storied franchises in NFL History. They were founded in 1933 and have been an NFL franchise during its entire tenure. They are the oldest franchise in the history of the American Football Conference (AFC).
When the franchise started, they were known as the Pittsburgh Pirates for 6 years. The Pittsburgh Steelers officially adopted their name in 1940 and have had their name ever since except for the 1943 and 1944 seasons. In 1943, the Pittsburgh Steelers merged with the Philadelphia Eagles and became known as the Steagies. The next season, the Pittsburgh Steelers merged with the then-Chicago Cardinals and became known as “Card Pitt.” Both mergers were to account for the fact that both franchises experienced roster shortages during World War II.
It is no secret that success has been the calling card for this franchise throughout its history. The Steelers have won 24 division championships in a 50-year span. They have won 8 conference championships.
Most importantly, they have 6 Super Bowl championships. The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowls in the Super Bowl era.
It is only right that we have a logo history page for one of the landmark franchises in NFL History. It is no secret that their current logo has a great deal of staying power. Since 1969, the Steelers have had the same primary logo. The only modification made to this logo was when the logo had a black outline added around its edges in 2002. It’s no surprise that the logo has had such longevity given the success of this franchise.
However, there were quite a few logos changes for the franchise since 1969. Steelers fans will have a detailed history of logos to look back on.
2002 - Present
The Steelers logo consists of three colored (red, yellow and blue) four-pointed astroids stars hypocycloids of four cusps, with the team name Steelers to the left, with a silver ring and a black trim bounding them all.
1969 - 2001
The Steelers logo consists of three four-pointed astroids stars hypocycloids of four cusps, with the team name Steelers to the left, with a ring bounding them all. The idea behind the three stars is that “Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure, and widens your world.” The three asteroids symbolize the primary colors and reflect the manufacturing process of steel. The colors came to represent the ingredients used in the steel-making process: yellow for coal, red for iron ore, and blue for scrap steel. While the formal Steel mark logo contains only the word “Steel,” the team was given permission to add “ers” in 1963 after a petition to AISI.
1962 - 1968
In 1962 a new logo was designed to show a yellow and black steel worker punting a football on a yellow steel beam. It is rumored that mascot Steely McBeam was based on this logo.
1940 - 1942, 1945 - 1961
The Steelers first logo is a football with Pittsburgh’s then smoggy skyline, as well as a construction worker hanging onto a chain holding a pennant. A wordmark “PITTSBURGH STEELERS FOOTBALL CLUB” in black.
1944
In 1944 the Steelers merged with the Chicago Cardinals and were known as “CARD-PITT” and informally known as the “Car-Pitts” or “Carpets.” The Steelers went solo again for the 1945 season.
1943
In 1943, when manpower shortages stemming from World War II made it impossible to fill the roster, the team merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers forming the “Phil-Pitt Eagles” and were known as the “Steagles.” The merger, never intended as a permanent arrangement, was dissolved at the end of the 1943 season. The logo is a black eagle grabbing a black helmet.
1940 - 1942, 1945 - 1961
The Steelers first logo is a football with Pittsburgh’s then smoggy skyline, as well as a construction worker hanging onto a chain holding a pennant. A wordmark “PITTSBURGH STEELERS FOOTBALL CLUB” in black.
1933 - 1939
The Pittsburgh Pirates first logo was the city of Pittsburgh’s coat of arms.