Pittsburgh has been blessed with a unique color scheme that can be utilized in a variety of ways. Black and gold do not only represent Pittsburgh's football team but also the city's other professional sports like baseball and hockey.
The Steelers have had some interesting uniforms throughout their history some were better choices than others. Here are their all-time jerseys ranked from worst to best.
8. 1933 (1990s throwback) Pittsburgh Pirate "City Flag" Uniforms
Before the Steelers had the reputation that they do now, they tried gaining popularity in their early days by naming themselves after the popular Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. Unfortunately for the football club, they were not able to find success while dressed in the ugliest uniforms that the team has ever seen. There was a throwback uniform done by the Steelers during the 1990s and it did not help matters.
There is plenty of history with this team, but doing a throwback to a time when the team was terrible is a tough start. Top that off with one of the terrible uniform designs made for an NFL team and you have a disaster. It is nice to go back to your roots sometimes, but it would make sense for the Steelers to never go back to this jersey again.
7. 1967 Pittsburgh Steelers Golden Triangle "Batman" Uniforms
Another uniform that underperformed by the Steelers throughout their history was that of the golden triangle uniform. It made some sense as it represented the city, but having a golden triangle at the top of the shoulder pads was a blinding sight to behold. It had some comical banter said about it throughout its usage in the late 1960s.
Why are they called the Batman uniforms? Well, that is because many compared the outfit to what Adam West wore on the Batman television show back in the 60s. It was something that embarrassed a franchise that was already a laughingstock in the NFL. The story would come full circle for the Steelers as they posed as the Gotham City Rouges in the Batman movie titled "Dark Knight Rises" in 2012.
6. 1934 (2012-2016 throwbacks) Pittsburgh Pirates "Bumble Bee" Uniforms
The worst uniform on this list lasted the inaugural season for Pittsburgh before they scrapped it. Some new designs in 1934 came around and it left the black and gold looking like bumble bees running all over the field. It was not the most appealing look in the NFL, and it was something that did not last a long time.
It might not have been the best-looking uniform, but the Steelers decided to go retro and bring these uniforms back in 2012. It was to represent their 80 years of football and they decided to go with these uniforms that you either loved or hated. They're an odd-looking uniform to have your team go out and play football in.
5. 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers All-White Uniforms
Football has finally started to catch on in the city of Pittsburgh by this point in the team’s history. All white uniforms were a unique spin on what the club had been doing with their different designs to this point in their lore. Up to this point, everything was in black and gold and the club never strayed away from adding something out of the ordinary.
Many fans have wondered with all the recent uniform news if the Steelers will announce some different throwback soon. It has been speculated that these all-white uniforms could be a fan favorite to watch play on gameday. The club has done a 1970s throwback in recent years, and it might be interesting if they tweaked that to an all-white selection.
4. Modern day design (2000s-current) Steelers Uniforms
A lot of success has been seen for Pittsburgh while the Steelers have worn these modern designs since around the 2000s. There have been alterations and slight changes to the different uniforms during this time, but they have mostly stayed the same. They have seen a couple of Super Bowl wins and a few extra appearances in the big game.
It has turned the black and gold more into a black and yellow feel that really makes the uniforms pop. Fans have grown to love this design, but it has become familiar to those that have not seen them in anything else other than a few throwback options. Some faithful of the franchise might prefer the 1970s block number jerseys, but the modern look is great too.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers Color Rush (2016-Current) Uniforms
One of the best designs in the history of the franchise has been the color rush uniforms that debuted in 2016 on Christmas day. It was a game that saw the Steelers go up against the Baltimore Ravens that had the division up for grabs. Pittsburgh were the winners that cold Christmas night and they went home the lead dogs of the AFC North that year.
Success continues to follow the black and gold when the color rush uniforms are worn on game day. They have an outstanding record when they wear the all black uniform that is outlined by the perfectly colored yellow down the sides and on the numbers. It is one of the best designs that the Steelers franchise has ever released.
2. 1968-1997 (2018-current throwback) Pittsburgh Steelers "Block Number" Uniform
When you think Steelers football it is hard to not consider their history and their success of the 1970s. Very few teams have seen the long stretch of success that Pittsburgh did when they reigned as a dynasty in the 1970s. They wore those block numbers, and it made the team a simple yet effective design in their black and gold uniforms.
Those eventually would be retired for the more modern rounded number design after nearly thirty years. Recently the black and gold have decided to throwback to their historic dynasty in the 70s by bringing the block numbered jerseys back for a brief appearance each year. Many fans would love for the club to make these the full-time designs again.
1. Late 2000s Pittsburgh Steelers 75th Anniversary Uniform
It all comes down to the best-looking uniform by the Steelers and that was their 75th anniversary throwbacks that they used. It was a throwback to the 1960s as it showed a similar design to the color rush uniforms, but it had white pants instead of all black like the color rush possesses. There was a lot of black and yellow up top and tried to have a balance with white pants.
Perhaps the best thing that this uniform possessed was the yellow helmet that strayed away from any other uniforms the Steelers have done. Until then, the helmet of choice was always black no matter the throwback or jersey chosen. It was truly unique, and people love unique looks and that is exactly what the yellow helmet did for this team.