When Rooney Sold the Steelers

Local author Bob Fulton will speak about his newest book, When Rooney Sold the Steelers: An Offbeat History of Pittsburgh's Beloved Team, at the history house on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The program will kick off at 6:30 p.m.

Fulton's presentation will cover key moments (and some little-known ones) from the team's past: the birth of the Steagles, formed by the wartime merger of the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles (despite two constantly bickering head coaches, this "Combination Eleven" finished with a winning record); the spelling lesson that inspired Terry Bradshaw to become a Super Bowl hero; the lopsided Steelers victory that might have prevented casualties from a plane crash; and the 27 16-ounce bottles of Coca-Cola Joe Greene drained during filming of a beloved television commercial.

Fulton will touch on the Steelers linebacker who nearly drowned during a game; the team's male cheerleading troupe, which was terminated not long after a cannon mishap; the only individual to suit up for both the Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates; the kicker who warmed up using paper cups instead of footballs; the chiseled Steeler who went on to fame as a Hollywood Tarzan; the rookie who sipped wine alongside Frank Sinatra during a team practice; and the Pittsburgh running back who wound up on the bench-the bench of the United States Supreme Court.

He will also tell the story of how Art Rooney sold the franchise; how the longtime owner-who most of us recall as a mild-mannered, kindly gentleman—once punched out his head coach; how Rooney missed seeing the play that altered the trajectory of a long-suffering franchise; and how that iconic play, the Immaculate Reception, got its name.

Fulton will also recall how he witnessed two NFL records being equaled while attending his very first Steelers game.