23 definitions by Sports Info
Super Bowl XL Champions! The Steelers were established as the Pittsburgh Pirates (like the baseball team) in 1933 by Art Rooney. Rooney invested his winning from amateur boxing and betting on horse racing into what would became the league's most legendary team. Changing their name to Steelers in 1941, the team struggled mightily for most of the their first 40 years of existance, despite having some hall of fame players like John Henry Johnson and Bobby Layne. Everything turned around in 1972. Pittsburgh shocked everyone by making the playoffs, but they appered to be destined to an early exit, trailing 7-6 to the Raiders with time running out. But a miracle happened. Hall of fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw an errant pass. Runningback Frenchy Fuqua collided with Raiders' cornerback Jack Tatum, the ball bounced up, and landed in the hands of hall of fame runningback Franco Harris. Touchdown. The Immaculate Reception was born. The winning ways would continue with 8 straight playoff berths and 4 Super Bowl championships- Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV belonged to Pittsburgh. The 1970s teams are considered perhaps the greatest in history with hall of famers like Bradshaw, Harris, receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, defensiveback Mel Blount, linebackers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, among others. Were up and down in the 1980s with 4 playoff berths, but turned it around when Bill Cowher became coach in 1992, ratling off 6 straight playoff berths, but unfortunatly losing the Super Bowl in 1995. Have made the playoffs 4 times in the last 5 years. Last season, they embarked on an incredible run, winning Super Bowl XL after winning 3 straight road playoff games. This gave young quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Cowher, and legendary runningback Jerome Bettis their first titles. Pittsburgh's 5 Super Bowls have tied San Francisco and Dallas for the most all time. The Steelers are known for having amazing fans, who often travel to watch their team's road games.
"And in his hometown of Detroit, Jerome Bettis gets to celebrate. There's going to be a party on the streets of Pittsburgh tonight, as the Pittsburgh Steelers have won Super XL for their 5th title!"
by Sports Info July 3, 2006
Originally established as the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960, they were dominant in the old AFL, winning the title in 1963 and 1964. After having 14 straight seasons of missing the playoffs, the finally returned to the postseason behind long time quarterback Dan Fouts, with 4 straight berths from 1979-82. After another 10 poor years, the Chargers had 3 playoff berths in the mid-90s, having their best ever season in 1994, when the lost in the Super Bowl. The Chargers were hindered by poor teams, despite having good players, for many years afterwards. They picked perhaps the biggest bust in NFL history when Ryan Leaf was selected number 1 overall at quarterback. Finally turned it around in 2004, with their only playoff berth in recent years, behind incredible runningback LaDainian Tomlinson.
"The San Diego Chargers see their dream run come to an end. They are dismantled by San Francisco in the Super Bowl."
by Sports Info July 7, 2006
The team was formed in 1960 as the AFL's Dallas Texans. They won a championship in 1962 then moved and became the Kansas City Chiefs the following season. They became a dominant team in the late 1960s, with 4 playoff berths. They lost in Super Bowl I in 1966, the first meeting of AFL and NFL teams. In 1969, the dominated Minnesota for a Super Bowl IV victory. From 1972-89, the Chiefs went on a long streak of years in which the missed the playoffs. They finally recovered in early 1990s under the direction of Marty Schottenheimer, with 7 playoff berths in 8 years from 1990-1997. They also had Joe Montana play quarterback during his final seasons. The Chiefs had their most recent playoff apperance in 2003. They have recently had incredibly offenses and amazing players such as Trent Green and Tony Gonzales, but have been plagued by bad defenses.
"The Purple People Eaters of Minnesota were viewed by many as the most hard-nosed defense in the league, but the Kansas City Chiefs were the toughest team today, as the have won the Super Bowl."
by Sports Info July 5, 2006
Founded in 1966 as a member of the AFL, the Dolphins established themselves as a great franchise by hiring Don Shula as coach in 1970- he would lead the team until 1995! Miami had 7 playoff berths in the 1970s, making the Super Bowl 3 straight times from 1971-73. They won 2 of these titles, taking Super Bowls VI and VII. On their way to the Super Bowl VI crown, Miami became the only team in NFL history to go undefeated at 17-0. An urban legend is that members of the '72 Dolphins celebrate a toast each year when the last undefeated team loses. Lost the Super Bowl in 1982 and picked up the legendary Dan Marino as quarterback the next season. Marino led the Dolphins to a loss in the Super Bowl in 1984 and to 10 playoff berths in his career which lasted until 1999. However, the league's all time leading passer never won a championship. Have not made the playoffs since 2001, just barely missing them in 2002 and 2003.
"The Miami Dolphins win a low scoring game against Washington. They are 17-0 and champions of the National Football League."
by Sports Info July 3, 2006
Formed in 1996 after Art Model moved the Browns to Baltimore (all Browns statistics remain with the new Cleveland franchise), it took them several years to build a decent football team. In 2000, behind an amazing defence and streaky quarterback Trent Dilfer, they won Super Bowl XXXV as a wild car team. They've made the playoff 2 more times since, most recently in 2003. However, in generaly, Baltimore teams have seen great defenses, but have been plagued by bad offenses.
"The Baltimore Ravens have done what the old Cleveland Browns could not. They have won the Super Bowl, dominating the Giants."
by Sports Info July 3, 2006
The Colts were established in 1953 as Baltimore's NFL franchise. The quickly established themselves as contenders after signed quarterback Johnny Unitas, one of the greatest in the history of the game. With Johnny U, they won the NFL championship in back to back years in 1958-59 and lost in the title game in 1964. The Colts continued their dominance in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, they headed to the Super Bowl and were heavy favorites to win the title. However, they choked under pressure and lost to the Jets in stunning fashion. The Colts made up for their shortcomings in Super Bowl V. In Unitas's last year as a starter, the Colts beat Dallas for the title on a last second Jim O'Brien field goal. Up and down throughout the next decade, the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984, to the shock of players and fans alike. Owner Robert Irsay secretly made the relocation deal, and information of the move didn't leak to the media until the day after the franchise had moved. Playoff berths were sparse in Indianapolis until quarterback Peyton Manning and receiver Marvin Harrison joined forces in the late 1990s, becoming an amazing duo and leading a high powered offense. While offense has led the team into the playoffs 6 times in the last 7 years, defense has consistantly been a problem. Also, Manning's performance seems to slip in the postseason, and this proficient passer has yet to reach football's title game. In 2005, after having the best record in football, the Colts were bounced in the division round in an odd game against the champion Steelers.
"Vanderjagt for the tie. That kick is up, it has the distance, but it's no good. And it is over. The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving on, and the Indianapolis Colts see their season come to an end. Mike Vanderjagt, the game's most accurte kicker, chokes on the big stage."
by Sports Info July 7, 2006
The NFL's newest team, the Texans were established in 2002. After struggling during their first two seasons, they appeared to be turning a corner with a 7-9 record in 2004 and better play by quarterback David Carr. However, they finished as the worst team in the league in '05, taking a big step backwards. The Texans are known for having a poor offensive line (which leads to many sacks), mediocre defense, and bad runningbacks.
"The Houston Texans go down again. They lose to the 49ers, and Houston will be the worst team in the National Football League."
by Sports Info July 7, 2006