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Were the 1944 Card-Pitts were the worst...

The World War II depletion of able-bodied young men to play football forced NFL teams to compromise...

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FOOTBALL TEAM | Arizona Cardinals

"Were the 1944 Card-Pitts were the worst team ever"

The World War II depletion of able-bodied young men to play football forced NFL teams to compromise and even merge franchises temporarily. In 1944 the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals merged and had a horrific experience of competition. A sample of the early Pittsburgh Steelers history.

The 1944 Card-Pitt season etched itself in NFL history, not for its triumphs, but for its unique circumstances and struggles. This temporary merger of the Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers, born out of World War II player shortages, became a fascinating, albeit winless, chapter in both teams' legacies.

A Patchwork Team:

With numerous players enlisted in the military, both the Cardinals and Steelers faced an uncertain future in 1944. To keep football alive, the league sanctioned temporary mergers, and thus, Card-Pitt was born. The hastily assembled roster reflected the realities of war, with players of varying ages and experiences thrown together with minimal time to gel.

Challenges from the Start:

Card-Pitt opened their season with high hopes, facing off against the Cleveland Rams at Forbes Field. Despite a valiant comeback that almost snatched victory, they ultimately fell short. This pattern would become a recurring theme, as despite showing flashes of offensive prowess and defensive grit, the team lacked the cohesion and consistency needed for sustained success.

Record-Breaking Inefficiency:

The statistics paint a bleak picture. Card-Pitt managed a pitiful 0-10 record, scoring a league-worst eight touchdowns and accumulating an NFL-record 41 interceptions. Their punting average, a measly 32.7 yards, continues to stand as a testament to their struggles.

  • HASHTAGS: #ArizonaCardinals #ChicagoCardinals #PittsburghSteelers
  • FOOTBALL TEAM: Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • PROFOOTBALL: 1944
football team

"Arizona Cardinals NFL Franchise History"

Football fans, huddle up! We're embarking on a thrilling journey through the rich tapestry of the Arizona Cardinals, a franchise boasting not just the oldest lineage in the National Football League, but also a story filled with resilience, fiery spirit, and moments etched in gridiron lore.
Our tale begins not in the sun-drenched Sonoran Desert, but in the bustling streets of Chicago in 1898. It was there, amidst the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the hum of early industry, that the seed of the Cardinals was planted. Back then, they were known as the Morgan Athletic Club, a ragtag bunch of neighborhood lads with hearts full of grit and dreams of pigskin glory. Fast forward to 1920, and the Cardinals, adorned in their cardinal red, find themselves as charter members of the fledgling National Football League. They navigate the league's infancy, witnessing the birth of legends and the evolution of the game itself. Through the roaring twenties and the somber thirties, the Cardinals carve their niche, collecting their first NFL Championship in 1925 under the legendary Ernie Nevers...
FOOTBALL TEAM | Arizona Cardinals

"Edgerrin James"

Born August 1, 1978 - Immokalee, Florida - Edgerrin James, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back of the Indianapolis Colts and later the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
Edgerrin attended and played football for the Miami Hurricanes enjoying a stellar collegiate career. It was when he was picked up by the Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft that this young runner really found his groove though according to the ProFootballHOF.com...
FOOTBALL TEAM | Arizona Cardinals

"Temporary Merger of the Card-Pitt Team"

The NFL's 1944 season was uniquely shaped by the challenges of World War II, which significantly impacted team rosters and operations. On April 21, 1944, a noteworthy decision was made: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals were granted permission to merge for the upcoming season. This unusual merger resulted in the creation of a temporary team known as Card-Pitt.
The primary reason for this merger was the league's attempt to navigate the difficulties of scheduling with an odd number of teams (11) amidst wartime player shortages. With many players serving in the armed forces, both the Cardinals and the Steelers faced severe manpower issues, making it challenging to field competitive teams independently...