September 20th is a date filled with pivotal moments in NFL history, from the end of a legendary streak to the start of a new season for an iconic team. On this day in 1987, the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off a new campaign, marking the beginning of a memorable season. But that’s not all. A significant era for the San Francisco 49ers came to an end as Pro Bowl wide receiver Dwight Clark’s impressive streak came to a close. Meanwhile, in a classic NFC battle, Walter Payton, the legendary Chicago Bears running back, found the end zone in a game-winning score that cemented a victory. Dive into the archives with us as we revisit these and other unforgettable football anniversaries.
Steel City Enterprise
September 20, 1933 – The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, who were known as the Pirates from 1933 through the 1940 seasons, played its very first game. The home team, the Pirates, lost 23-2 to the New York Giants that day at old Forbes Field.
It wouldn’t take the upstart team long to find victory, though, as the very next week, the Pittsburgh Professional Football Club defeated the Chicago Cardinals 14-13 in the friendly confines of Forbes Field.
Art Rooney Sr. applied for entry of his proposed franchise on May 19, 1933. Less than two months after that, on July 8, 1933, then National Football League President Joe Carr announced via a newsletter that Rooney was approved to join the 10-team League in the fall of 1933 to fill a vacancy caused by the withdrawal of the Staten Island franchise.
The team had to play early and nighttime weekday games until a new Pennsylvania law allowed them to play games on Sundays. The team suffered through some dreadful losing seasons, including two during World War II, where they had to join forces with the Cardinals and Eagles, respectively, due to player shortages, for over 40 seasons until Mr. Rooney would finally have a winner. Art Rooney’s Steelers would go on to win 4 Super Bowls in the 1970s and then add a couple more in later decades. The Rooney family still holds the majority stake of the franchise and still calls the Steel City their home.
Clark’s Streak Ends
September 20, 1987 – Wide Receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers ends his NFL record streak of 105 consecutive games with a reception. Despite Clark not having a catch in the game, the visiting Niners still managed to squeak out a 27-26 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sweetness Helps Bears Cause
September 20, 1987 – The great Walter Payton helped the Chicago Bears earn a 20-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he scored an NFL record career 107th rushing touchdown.
September 20 Football Hall of Fame Birthdays
Now, let’s get into the Significant people in football history who celebrate birthdays on September 20.
