Leg Rules:

Usually each leg follows the Steelers on their schedule but might be some exceptions. For road games, we depart from KPIT to the city of the home team. For home games: we fly the Steelers from the previous road game back to KPIT to get them ready for their homestand. In the case of consecutive home games, we actually fly the visiting team from their home city to KPIT. For consecutive road games, the Steelers fly from the previous road game location to the next road game location.

Background:

⦁ Throughout the 1970’s, the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the top franchises in the NFL (National Football League) as they won 2 Super Bowls previously in 1974 and 1975. There were multiple reasons for their success but nothing defined the team more than their legendary defense which was known as the “Steel Curtain”. Their defense included Hall of Famers like Mean Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, and Mel Blount. On top of their defensive prowess, the Steelers had offensive stars led by Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and the receiving duo of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Finally, the team was led by one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history, Chuck Noll.

⦁ Coming off a turbulent season with off-the-field issues, a disappointing 9-5 record and a loss in the Divisional Round to the Denver Broncos, the team went through many changes starting with the coaching staff. The team replaced their defensive coordinator with George Perles along with adding the new offensive line coach Rollie Dotsch and DB coach Dick Waller.

⦁ Along with the coaching staff, the roster changed as well with several players being traded in the offseason. In the NFL Draft, the team drafted Ron Johnson with the 22nd pick in the first round.

⦁ After putting the distractions of the 1977 season behind them, the Steelers had a very productive training camp in 1978. All-Pro defensive end Joe Greene noted the renewed focus, saying; “The biggest difference in this camp compared to last year is that this camp is about football, not gossip. Everything that's happening in this camp is about football. That's not saying we’re going to go out there and kick butts, but that's saying we’re going to be going about our business, what we’re being paid for.”

⦁ Now the Steelers look to defend their AFC North Title but little do they know that the team will embark on a magical season and end up being one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Now it’s time for the Fireflies to follow them on their journey to eternal greatness.

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