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History of the position: Steelers quarterbacks

By Ryan Pawloski

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne (21) prepares to pass before getting sacked by New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff (70) in a 14-9 win over the New York Giants on November 15, 1959 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Fred Roe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne (21) prepares to pass before getting sacked by New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff (70) in a 14-9 win over the New York Giants on November 15, 1959 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Fred Roe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Pittsburgh Steelers
The American city of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images) /

The 1930s

During the 1930s the NFL was still a young league and only consisted of running with some players passing from time to time. Quarterbacks were not nearly as important as they are today, but the first listed starting Quarterback for the Steelers in their inaugural season was Tony Holm.

Holm is listed as having the most pass attempts for the Pirates that season, he was not specifically a Quarterback like we think of today.  The league focused more on the running game and a strong defensive front to combat opposing teams offenses. Holm put up a stat line of 17 completions off 52 attempts, 406 yards, two passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

Throughout the 1930s the Steelers had six different Quarterbacks which included: Tony Holm, Warren Heller, Johnny Gildea, Ed Matesic, Frank Filchock, Whizzer White, and Hugh McCullough. The decade saw the Pirates struggle mightily offensively and see a rapid amount of turnover at the position. The NFL did not pay a lot during these days as many played football as a hobby and still worked a full-time job in the city, no matter if that meant in the coal mines, steel mills, etc. None of the players were extremely good and neither were the Pirates (Steelers).

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