Sunday's big game will feature a hard hitting action against two teams that could care less about each other. The Steelers are going to their 7th Super Bowl while the Cardinals are making their first appearance in the Super Bowl. Chances are that you will see Ryan Clark try and decapitate someone who tries to cross the middle and you may see Larry Fitzgerald make a spectacular catch and celebrate in the endzone, but did you know that during the 1944 NFL season, these two teams were closer than you'd think and actually helping each other.Much like MLB, the NFL was experiencing a loss of players due to World War II. For the second straight season the Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to merge teams with another team in order to keep operations going, or else suspend the team for a season. It just so happened that in 1944 the Steelers teamed up with the Chicago Cardinals, who were coming off an an 0-10 season. The two teams merged together to become the "Card-Pitts" (pronounced Carpets). As witty as it may sound, their play on the field was less entertaining and more embarrassing.
The team started off with little hope, as expected, and things only got worse when their starting quarterback was drafted to the Army by week two. Then came the drama of player fines for insubordination and player strikes, which was followed by an on the field brawl. It was a bad sports movie in real life. It was a mix of some of the worst football movies of all time. It was "The Longest Yard" but outside of prison. "The Replacements", but without the Keanu Reeves, and "Leatherheads", without the star college quarterback. It was sad to say the least.
This isn't what Pittsburgh owner, Art Rooney had in mind when he agreed to join up with the lowly team from Chicago, but give the old man credit, he did join his team out on the field during the Brawl.
The owner's vigor didn't spark his team as they went 0-10 that year and combine them with the 0-10 Brooklyn Tigers it was quite possibly the worst season ever in the NFL. In the Card-Pitts 10 games that year they scored over 7 points just three times, and were outscored that year 328-108. In four of their games they didn't score until the fourth quarter when all the scrubs were in although let it be noted though that the Card-Pitts usually controlled the ball for longer than their opponents, but seemingly got nowhere.
The team went through five different quarterbacks that year, including a Punter, a halfback, and a defensive end. Only two players from this 1944 team made it to 1947 where both the Cardinals and Steelers made the playoffs. In fact the Cardinals won the Championship in 1947, also the last time the they had ever won a Championship as they look to end a 61 year drought this Sunday.
So as these two teams get together to do battle on Sunday, just remember the days when they were on the field together battling, literally, on the same team.
And Now You Know! (And Knowing is Half the Battle)
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3 comments:
Yeah but the Card-Pitts this year have combined for 11 losses...so now tell me which version's having a better year.
In the third paragraph you've clearly snubbed "The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon" but without Tony Danza.
Great facts. I definitely learned from this.
So, what would happen if the Cardinals and Steelers were combined into a single team this season?
Would a 2008-09 Card-Pitts be able to beat either the 2007-08 Pats or Giants?
It would be interesting.
No one could beat the Patriots of last year. That is why they went undefeated, 19-0.... at least thats how I saw it.
Brian I missed the Little Giants reference too
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