1947 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 1947 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 15th season in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on its 1946 record by winning eight games and losing four. This record tied for the lead in the Eastern Division and qualified the Steelers for the franchise's first playoff berth.[1][2][3] It was the Steelers' only postseason appearance before 1972.
| 1947 Pittsburgh Steelers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jock Sutherland |
| Home field | Forbes Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–4 |
| Division place | 2nd NFL Eastern |
| Playoff finish | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Eagles) 21–0 |
It was Jock Sutherland's second and final year as head coach; he died the following April[4][5] after being found wandering around in a field in Kentucky. Once flown back to Pittsburgh, he was diagnosed as having two brain tumors. He only lived a few more days.
Pre-Season Changes
In 1946, the Steeler offense and defense featured the NFL MVP in the person of Bill Dudley. The West Virginia grad and Army veteran led the NFL in rushing, interceptions, punt returns and all-purpose yards. Despite being wildly popular with fans and fellow players, Dudley and Coach Sutherland could not get along. Ultimately, Dudley asked Art Rooney, Sr. to trade him and the owner reluctantly agreed.
Dudley was traded to the Detroit Lions for Bob Cifers and Paul White. Additionally, the Steelers received the Lions' 1948 first round draft pick. Both White and Cifers had a demonstrable positive effect on the team. Cifers played brilliantly and was one of the top punters in the NFL that year. [6]
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Game recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 21 | Detroit Lions | W 17–10 | 1–0 | Forbes Field | Recap |
| 2 | September 29 | Los Angeles Rams | L 7–48 | 1–1 | Forbes Field | Recap |
| 3 | October 5 | at Washington Redskins | L 26–27 | 1–2 | Griffith Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | October 12 | at Boston Yanks | W 30–14 | 2–2 | Fenway Park | Recap |
| 5 | October 19 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 35–24 | 3–2 | Forbes Field | Recap |
| 6 | October 26 | at New York Giants | W 38–21 | 4–2 | Polo Grounds | Recap |
| 7 | November 2 | at Green Bay Packers | W 18–17 | 5–2 | Wisconsin State Fair Park | Recap |
| 8 | November 9 | Washington Redskins | W 21–14 | 6–2 | Forbes Field | Recap |
| 9 | November 16 | New York Giants | W 24–7 | 7–2 | Forbes Field | Recap |
| 10 | November 23 | at Chicago Bears | L 7–49 | 7–3 | Wrigley Field | Recap |
| 11 | November 30 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 0–21 | 7–4 | Shibe Park | Recap |
| 12 | December 7 | Boston Yanks | W 17–7 | 8–4 | Forbes Field | Recap |
| 13 | Bye | |||||
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Playoffs
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Venue | Game recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional | December 21 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 0–21 | Forbes Field | Recap |
The 1947 team was the most successful team in club history to date. It was the Steelers' first playoff appearance, the first time winning more than four games consecutively, and the club posted a franchise-best 8–4 record. Though the Steelers lost the playoff,[3][7][8] fans and players were excited for their future.
However, fate would interrupt again when head coach Jock Sutherland took a trip to visit family in Kentucky. He ran off the road and was found wondering in a muddy field. Flown back to Pittsburgh, Sutherland died four days later on April 11, 1948, due to complications from a brain tumor.[4][5] It was a sudden and disheartening end to a successful period in team history. The Steelers did not play in the postseason again until 1972.
Game summaries
Week 1
Sunday, September 21: Detroit Lions
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Steelers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 34,691
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Week 2
Monday, September 29: Los Angeles Rams
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 6 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 48 |
| Steelers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 35,658
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Los Angeles – FG Waterfield 30
- Los Angeles – FG Waterfield 45
- Los Angeles – Hoerner 4 run (Waterfield kick)
- Pittsburgh – Lach 4 run (Glamp kick)
- Los Angeles – Benton 11 pass from Waterfield (Waterfield kick)
- Los Angeles – Washington 9 lateral from Waterfield (Waterfield kick)
- Los Angeles – Hubbell 45 pass from Waterfield (Waterfield kick)
- Los Angeles – Hubbell 15 pass from Hardy (Waterfield kick)
- Los Angeles – Washington 6 run
Week 3
Sunday, October 5): Washington Redskins
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 26 |
| Redskins | 0 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 27 |
at Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 36,565
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Glamp 15
- Washington – Nussbaumer 55 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)
- Pittsburgh – Lach 15 pass from Clement (Glamp kick)
- Washington – Poillon 3 pass from Baugh (kick failed)
- Pittsburgh – Compagno 64 int (Glamp kick)
- Washington – Taylor 35 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)
- Pittsburgh – Sullivan 50 pass from Clement (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Safety, Baugh stepped out of end zone
- Washington – Farmer 1 run (Poillon kick)
Week 4
Sunday, October 12: Boston Yanks
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 30 |
| Yanks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 18,894
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – White 52 run (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Safety, Dancewicz tackled in end zone by Bova
- Pittsburgh – Clement 1 run (Glamp kick)
- Boston – Currivan 33 pass from Dancewicz (Scollard kick)
- Boston – Currivan 20 pass from Dancewicz (Maznicki kick)
Week 5
Sunday, October 19: Philadelphia Eagles
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 10 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 | 35 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 33,538
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Pittsburgh – Compagno 39 pass from Clement (Glamp kick)
- Philadelphia – Pihos 43 pass from Thompson (Patton kick)
- Philadelphia – FG Patton 14
- Philadelphia – Pritchard 69 pass from Thompson (Patton kick)
- Pittsburgh – Clement 5 run (Glamp kick)
- Philadelphia – Pihos 17 pass from Thompson (Patton kick)
- Pittsburgh – Garnaas 19 pass from Clement (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Clement 23 run (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (Glamp kick)
Week 6
Sunday, October 26: New York Giants
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Giants | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Polo Grounds, New York, New York
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 41,736
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Pittsburgh – Jansante 7 pass from Lach (Glamp kick)
- New York – Carroll 18 pass from Governali (Strong kick)
- Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Lach 1 run (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Glamp 37
- Pittsburgh – Garnaas 68 pass from Clement (Glamp kick)
- New York – Blumenstock 1 run (Strong kick)
- Pittsburgh – Sinkovitz 47 int (Glamp kick)
- New York – Livingston 65 pass from Governali (Strong kick)
Week 7
Sunday, November 2: Green Bay Packers
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 18 |
| Packers | 10 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 30,073
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Green Bay – Goodnight 69 pass from Jacobs (Cuff kick)
- Green Bay – FG Cuff 16
- Pittsburgh – FG Glamp 23
- Pittsburgh – Jansante 37 pass from Clement (kick failed)
- Pittsburgh – Compagno 55 int (Glamp kick)
- Pittsburgh – Safety, Jacobs tackled in end zone by Calcagni
- Green Bay – Luhn 27 pass from Jacobs (Cuff kick)
Week 8
Sunday, November 9: Washington Redskins
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redskins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 36,257
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Week 9
Sunday, November 16: New York Giants
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giants | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Steelers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 24 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 35,000
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Week 10
Sunday, November 23: Chicago Bears
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Bears | 7 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 49 |
at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Scoring Drives:
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 34,142
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
- Chicago Bears – McAfee 2 run (McLean kick)
- Chicago Bears – Kavanaugh 6 pass from Luckman (McLean kick)
- Chicago Bears – McAfee 4 run (McLean kick)
- Pittsburgh – Jansante 15 pass from Morales (Glamp kick)
- Chicago Bears – Kindt 3 run (McLean kick)
- Chicago Bears – Keane 6 pass from Luckman (McLean kick)
- Chicago Bears – Gulyanics 44 run (McLean kick)
Week 11
Sunday, November 30: Philadelphia Eagles
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eagles | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 37,218
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Week 12
Sunday, December 7: Boston Yanks
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanks | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Steelers | 10 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time:
- Game weather:
- Game attendance: 31,398
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
Post season
Game summary
Week 14
Sunday, December 21: Philadelphia Eagles
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 2:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C)
- Game attendance: 35,729
- Referee:
Scoring Drives:
All-Pro Honors
- Val Jansante 2nd Team, UPI
- Charlie Mehelich 2nd Team, Chicago Herald
- Red Moore 1st Team, UPI
- Johnny Clement 2nd Team AP, 2nd Team UPI
- Chuck Cherundolo 2nd Team AP, 2nd Team UPI [9]
Standings
| NFL Eastern Division | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | PF | PA | STK | ||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | 6–2 | 308 | 242 | W1 | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | 6–2 | 240 | 259 | W1 | |
| Boston Yanks | 4 | 7 | 1 | .364 | 3–4–1 | 168 | 256 | L2 | |
| Washington Redskins | 4 | 8 | 0 | .333 | 3–5 | 295 | 367 | W1 | |
| New York Giants | 2 | 8 | 2 | .200 | 1–6–1 | 190 | 309 | L1 | |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
References
- Biederman, Les (December 15, 1947). "Steelers, Eagles in playoff Sunday". Pittsburgh Press. p. 24.
- Biederman, Les (December 21, 1947). "Eagles given edge over Steelers". Pittsburgh Press. p. 28.
- Biederman, Les (December 22, 1947). "Steelers disappoint in grid playoff". Pittsburgh Press. p. 28.
- Sell, Jack (April 12, 1948). "Jock Sutherland is dead at 59". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 1.
- "Sutherland rites tomorrow; Steelers to be pallbearers". Pittsburgh Press. April 12, 1948. p. 1.
- Starless: The 1947 Pittsburgh Steelers, Steve Massey, 2018
- "Philadelphia Eagles defeat Steelers for right to play Cards next Sunday". Milwaukee Journal. December 22, 1947. p. 10, part 2.
- "Philadelphia Eagles win Eastern division of National grid league". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 22, 1947. p. 8.
- Pro Football Reference 1947 All Pro Team