Throwback Thursday: Steelers and Eagles were once the ‘Steagles’

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles don’t always see eye to eye, but they did back in 1943.

Philadelphians scoff at the Pittsburgh habit of putting french fries on sandwiches; though I’ve never quite understood the appeal of Cheez Whiz as a topping myself. In hockey, Pittsburgh’s Penguins and Philadelphia’s Flyers are fierce rivals, but the Steelers don’t share the same animosity with the Philadelphia Eagles, mostly because the two teams are in different conferences, and so only meet once every four years, barring a Super Bowl matchup.

In fact, the Steelers and the Eagles were one and the same, once upon a time.

First, the two franchises were traded for each other in 1940. Then, the two teams formed the Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Eagles/Steelers, or Steagles for short, in 1943 after military service in World War II thinned NFL rosters. All men between the ages of 18 and 64 were eligible to be selected by lottery for mandatory national service essentially indefinitely, until six months after the war’s end.

From a 2009 New York Times article:

"“Had to do it,” the Steelers co-owner Bert Bell said in an interview with The New York Times that summer. “Pittsburgh had no backs left and Philadelphia had no linemen…”…The players were pooled, and few football fans complained. “Both teams had been so bad that there was no worry of their becoming a superteam,” Algeo said.More from Still Curtain3 mistakes the Steelers cannot afford to make in the 2023 offseasonCoach of the Year finalists do something that Steelers Mike Tomlin can’t offerFanDuel Promo Ending! Bet $5, Win $150 GUARANTEED Before Bonus Expires This WeekMel Kiper Jr. makes predictable pick for Steelers in first NFL mock draftSteelers news: Brian Flores odds to land HC job, no projected compensatory picks, and more"

The Steelers actually pulled their weight in 1942, going 7-4, while the Eagles were 2-9.

The outfit had a noticeable bent toward the Eagles: Philadelphia’s Alexis Thompson and Harry Thayer are listed as owner and general manager, respectively. The team was co-coached: Philadelphia’s Greasy Neale and Pittsburgh’s Walt Kiesling led the team to a 5-4-1 record, good for third in the NFL’s East division.

In an age where the passing game was not as sophisticated as it is today, the Steagles’ leading passer was quarterback Roy Zimmerman, who went 43/124 on the season, good for a 34.7% completion percentage.

Jack Hinkle’s 571 yards and 3 touchdowns made him the team’s leading rusher. Zimmerman, for his part, rushed for -41 yards… and a touchdown.

In any event, the Steagles did better than their 1944 incarnation, a merger with the Chicago Cardinals known as Card-Pitt, which earned the derisive nickname “Carpets” after being walked all over on the way to an 0-10 record.

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia face off this Sunday at 1:00 PM ET at Heinz Field. There are very few fans still out there who would remember a time when these two teams joined forces.