Unprecedented times call for unique measures of survival sometimes no matter if that is in life or business. When the Second World War broke out, it was an odd time for the NFL and many around the country. Most of their players were sent out to the war effort, while those left behind were not at the same level of talent. The NFL had to change around those who participated in the league to keep it afloat.
One way teams around the NFL stayed alive was by forming two franchises into one. That is exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers did to make it through World War II.
Half of the home games were in Philadelphia and the other half in Pittsburgh during their lone combined season in 1943. It was a creative idea that saw different problems arise from the teams' unique circumstances.
When it came to that time in the NFL, some teams had to suspend operations, others were barely able to survive, and combined teams like the Steagles were formed. It wasn't the best days of professional football, but a world-altering event puts something like the NFL on the back burner. For the teams who were able to hang on like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, they had to get creative with players.
Most able-bodied men who played professionally went to fight in the war. Those who left behind either failed their physicals or were too old to join the war effort. So, the NFL had retired talent come out of the end times to try and sell some tickets. Some who failed physicals were healthy enough to play football. It was nothing close to what the NFL is today.
Both the Steelers and Eagles were formed in the same year, 1933. Up to that point in time when they formed as one, neither side had great success in the NFL. Pittsburgh was one of the worst franchises in the league and continued to lose every year. They did turn things around in 1942, but the war effort hampered any success they could build off of. Forming a new team with little talent didn't seem easy.
When it comes to Philadelphia, they were worse than Pittsburgh before the Steagles. The Steelers had an overall record of 32-75-6 before the formation while the Eagles held a record of 23-82-4. Both franchises were not held in high regard at the time, but they were willing to keep football going during a historic moment in the world. They weren't perfect but they at least played.
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Obviously, the Steagles didn't win a championship that season. The Steelers were seen as a failed franchise, while the Eagles were looking to turn things around from a recent rebuild. There were plenty of internal conflicts since both clubs struggled to come together as one. Despite all of their hurdles, the team performed better than what many had imagined.
The Steagles completed a record of 5-4-1. One way or another they were barely able to finish with a winning record in their lone campaign. They finished third in their division, but they missed the playoffs. With a wild combination of two teams attempting to survive, that is a respectable record. They didn't win anything of substance, but with those circumstances, you have to appreciate their efforts.
Immediately after the Steagles crumbled following their lone 1943 season, everything worked out for the Eagles. They went on to win two championships in the remainder of that decade. They got some quality players and that allowed them to bounce back from the Steagles conundrum. Philadelphia would become one of the more respected franchises between the 40s and 60s.
Sadly for Pittsburgh, the Steelers took much longer to turn things around. They formed another combined team the following season with Chicago. Pittsburgh would eventually become a great team in the '70s and is one of the best models of an NFL franchise today.
These two teams are far removed from the Steagles, but this team will always be a part of the Steelers' and Eagles' history.
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