The 1940 Renaming of Pittsburgh Pro Team from Pirates to Steelers
“#OTD in #Steelershistory 1940 the Pittsburgh Press confirmed the nickname of Pittsburgh’s pro football team had changed to one that would become synonymous with the city. The competition drew 10,000 suggestions with 21 nominating the name #Steelers and #SteelersNation was born.” — twitter.com
The newspaper clipping identifies the renaming of Art Rooney's franchise from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Pittsburgh Steelers. All part of the Steelers origin story.
The Pirates were a natural choice as a name in the infancy of the team in a young National FOotball League that was trying to find its footing in the American public. The More established MLB teams in cities would be a quick way to give credibility to an NFL squad and identify with the locals.
The Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team was well established and connected with the region, so Rooney's hope was his football team could endear with them sooner as well.
