1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season
1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	Art Rooney
General manager	Daniel M. Rooney
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Home stadium	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	12–2
Division place	1st AFC Central
Playoffs	Won Divisional Playoffs; (vs. Colts) 28–10; Won AFC Championship; (vs. Raiders) 16–10; Won Super Bowl X; (vs. Cowboys) 21–17
All-Pros	7 Mel Blount (1st team); L. C. Greenwood (1st team); Jack Ham (1st team); Franco Harris (2nd team); Joe Greene (2nd team); Jack Lambert (2nd team); Lynn Swann (2nd team);
Pro Bowlers	11 CB Mel Blount; QB Terry Bradshaw; S Glen Edwards; DT Joe Greene; DE L. C. Greenwood; LB Jack Ham; RB Franco Harris; LB Jack Lambert; LB Andy Russell; WR Lynn Swann; S Mike Wagner;
Team MVP	Mel Blount
Team ROY	John Banaszak

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert pursues Cleveland Browns running back Greg Pruitt in a 1975 game between the teams.

The 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 43rd in the National Football League (NFL). The Steelers were defending champions for the first time in their forty-year history and repeated as league champions. The team was led by a dominating defense and a quick offense, and won Super Bowl X over the Dallas Cowboys, 21–17. The 1975 Steelers had one of the greatest defensive teams of all time. The team posted their best defensive numbers since 1946, and scored more points than any other Steelers team, later surpassed by two points in 2010.

In 2007, the 1975 Steelers were ranked as the seventh greatest Super Bowl champions on the NFL Network's documentary series America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, with team commentary from Lynn Swann, Dwight White, and Mike Wagner, and narrated by Bruce Willis. More than a decade later, the team ranked #10 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.^[1]^[2] The 1975 Steelers' +211 point differential stands as the best in franchise history. They won by at least 21 points six times, with their season superlative 37–0 shutout at San Diego in the opener on September 21.^[3]^[4]

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1975 Pittsburgh Steelers draft
1	26	Dave Brown *	CB	Michigan	played one season for Steelers; selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the expansion draft
2	51	Bob Barber	DE	Grambling	traded to Green Bay Packers, played 1976–1979
3	78	Walter White	TE	Maryland	traded to Kansas City Chiefs, played 1975–1979
4	104	Harold Evans	LB	Houston
5	130	Brent Sexton	DB	Elon
6	156	Marvin Crenshaw	T	Nebraska
7	180	Wayne Mattingly	T	Colorado
8	208	Al Humphrey	DE	Tulsa
9	234	Bruce Reimer	RB	North Dakota State
10	260	Archie Grey	WR	Wyoming
11	286	Randy Little	TE	West Liberty
12	312	Greg Murphy	DE	Penn State
13	337	Bob Gaddis	WR	Mississippi Valley State	played mostly in CFL
14	364	Mike Collier	RB	Morgan State	played one season for Steelers
15	390	Marty Smith	DT	Louisville
16	415	Miller Bassler	TE	Houston
17	442	Stan Hegener	G	Nebraska

Personnel

Staff

**1975 Pittsburgh Steelers staff**
	Front office Chairman of the board – Arthur J. Rooney President – Daniel M. Rooney Vice president – John R. McGinley Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. Public relations director – Ed Kiely Traveling secretary – James A. Boston Publicity director – Joe Gordon Controller – Robert P. Quinn Accountant – Dennis P. Thimons Ticket manager – Joseph H. Carr Director of player personnel – Dick Haley Assistant director of player personnel – Bill Nunn Director of professional scouting – V. Timothy Rooney Head coaches Head coach – Chuck Noll Offensive coaches Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak Offensive line – Dan Radakovich Receivers – Lionel Taylor			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Bud Carson Defensive line – George Perles Linebackers – Woody Widenhofer Strength and conditioning Strength – Louis Riecke Flexibility – Paul Uram Team physician, orthopedic – John Best Team physician – David S. Huber Team dentist – George P. Boucek Trainer – Ralph Berlin Assistant trainer – Robert Milie Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi Field manager – Jack Hart Film director – Bob McCartney Photographer – Harry Homa ^[5]

Roster

**1975 Pittsburgh Steelers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Terry Bradshaw 17 Joe Gilliam 5 Terry Hanratty Running backs (RB) 20 Rocky Bleier 44 Mike Collier 33 John Fuqua 32 Franco Harris 46 Reggie Harrison Wide receivers (WR) 86 Reggie Garrett 43 Frank Lewis 82 John Stallworth 88 Lynn Swann Tight ends (TE) 87 Larry Brown 84 Randy Grossman		Offensive linemen (OL) 50 Jim Clack G 57 Sam Davis G 71 Gordon Gravelle T 55 Jon Kolb T 56 Ray Mansfield C 72 Gerry Mullins G 74 Dave Reavis T 52 Mike Webster C Defensive linemen (DL) 76 John Banaszak DE 64 Steve Furness DT 75 Joe Greene DT 68 L. C. Greenwood DE 63 Ernie Holmes DT 78 Dwight White DE		Linebackers (LB) 38 Ed Bradley MLB 59 Jack Ham OLB 54 Marv Kellum OLB 58 Jack Lambert MLB 34 Andy Russell OLB 51 Loren Toews OLB Defensive backs (DB) 45 Jimmy Allen CB 47 Mel Blount CB 36 Dave Brown CB 27 Glen Edwards FS 31 Donnie Shell SS 26 J. T. Thomas CB 23 Mike Wagner SS Special teams (ST) 10 Roy Gerela K 39 Bobby Walden P		Reserve –– Bob Gaddis WR (IR) -- Brent Sexton CB (IR) ^[6] ^[7] ^[8] Rookies in italics 43 active, 2 reserve

Preseason

During the preseason, the Steelers acquired undrafted free-agent, John Banaszak. The defensive tackle from Eastern Michigan played in three games and later became the 1975 Team ROY (Rookie of the Year).

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Venue
1	August 1	College All-Stars	W 21–14	Soldier Field
2	August 9	Philadelphia Eagles	L 14–17	Three Rivers Stadium
3	August 17	at Oakland Raiders	L 21–24	Memorial Stadium
4	August 22	at Baltimore Colts	W 31–10	Memorial Stadium
5	August 30	New York Giants	L 7–24	Palmer Stadium
6	September 6	New Orleans Saints	W 24–13	Three Rivers Stadium
7	September 13	at Dallas Cowboys	L 16–17	Texas Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Venue
1	September 21	at San Diego Chargers	W 37–0	San Diego Stadium
2	September 28	Buffalo Bills	L 21–30	Three Rivers Stadium
3	October 5	at Cleveland Browns	W 42–6	Cleveland Municipal Stadium
4	October 12	Denver Broncos	W 20–9	Three Rivers Stadium
5	October 19	Chicago Bears	W 34–3	Three Rivers Stadium
6	October 26	at Green Bay Packers	W 16–13	County Stadium
7	November 2	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 30–24	Riverfront Stadium
8	November 9	Houston Oilers	W 24–17	Three Rivers Stadium
9	November 16	Kansas City Chiefs	W 28–3	Three Rivers Stadium
10	November 24	at Houston Oilers	W 32–9	Houston Astrodome
11	November 30	at New York Jets	W 20–7	Shea Stadium
12	December 7	Cleveland Browns	W 31–17	Three Rivers Stadium
13	December 13	Cincinnati Bengals	W 35–14	Three Rivers Stadium
14	December 20	at Los Angeles Rams	L 3–10	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Game summaries

Week 1

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Steelers	10	10	3	14	37
Chargers	0	0	0	0	0

Date: September 21
Location: San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
Game attendance: 35,853
Referee: Gordon McCarter

In the Week 1 game, the Steelers opened the season as defending champions, and crushed the Chargers, 37-0, in San Diego.^[3]^[4] (1-0)

Week 2

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Bills	0	10	13	7	30
Steelers	0	0	7	14	21

Date: September 28
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game attendance: 49,438
Referee: Pat Haggerty

In Week 2, the Steelers, coming off a crushing defeat of the Chargers in Week 1, came to play revenge eager Buffalo in Pittsburgh. The Bills had been beaten the previous year by the Steelers in the playoffs, 32-14. Chuck Noll had warned the team the previous week that the team did not play very well, however, the players ignored him and were beaten by future Hall of Fame RB O.J. Simpson, 30-21. He rushed for 227 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter. (1-1)

Week 3

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Steelers	7	21	0	14	42
Browns	0	0	0	6	6

Date: October 5
Location: Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Game attendance: 73,217
Referee: Ben Dreith

In this Week 3 matchup, the Steelers would be hosted by the Cleveland Browns. These two teams had already been established as one of the league's best rivalries by this time, and Joe Greene's infamous kicking of the Browns lineman Bob McKay only fueled the rivalry. The fight that broke out afterwards caught it on fire. Greene was later fined $500 while the Steelers beat the Browns, 42-6. (2-1) This was the first of eleven consecutive victories for the Steelers.

Week 4

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	6	0	0	9
• Steelers	7	10	0	3	20

Date: October 12
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 49,164
Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
Referee: Dick Jorgensen
Television network: NBC

In Week 4, the Steelers beat the Denver Broncos in Three Rivers, 20-9. (3-1)

Week 5

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	3	0	0	3
• Steelers	0	10	10	14	34

Date: October 19
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 47,579
Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C) (Cloudy)
Referee: Norm Schachter
Television network: CBS

In Week 5, the Steelers crushed Chicago, 34-3. Three weeks after the Steelers were beaten by Buffalo, the team was 4-1, and had allowed only 18 points during the last three weeks while scoring 96. (4-1)

Week 6

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Steelers	3	10	0	3	16
Packers	0	6	7	0	13

Date: October 26
Location: Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Game start: 2:00 p.m. EST
Game attendance: 52,258
Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C), Wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
Referee: Fred Silva
Television network: NBC

In Week 5, the Packers would host the Steelers in Milwaukee, however, the tense battle ended in Pittsburgh's favor, 16-13. (5-1)

Week 7

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Steelers	0	10	13	7	30
Bengals	3	0	0	21	24

Date: November 2
Location: Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Game attendance: 58,418
Referee: Tommy Bell

In Week 7, the Steelers played the Bengals in Riverfront Stadium and won the game, 30–24. (6–1)

Week 8

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	7	3	7	17
• Steelers	10	7	0	7	24

Date: November 9
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 49,460
Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) (Sunny)
Referee: Jim Tunney
Television network: NBC

In this heated Week 8 battle, the Steelers would play host to the Houston Oilers. Pittsburgh sealed the win with a 4th quarter touchdown pass from #12 Terry Bradshaw to #82 John Stallworth that placed them at the top of the division. (7-1)

Week 9

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	3	0	0	3
• Steelers	0	7	14	7	28

Date: November 16
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 48,803
Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
Referee: Bernie Ulman
Television network: NBC

In Week 9, the Steelers beat the Chiefs, 28-3. (8-1)

Week 10

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Steelers	2	13	3	14	32
Oilers	0	3	0	6	9

Date: Monday, November 24
Location: Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas
Game start: 9:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 49,947
Game weather: Dome (indoors)
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Alex Karras

In Week 10, the Steelers defeated the Oilers again, this time in Houston 32-9, and secured a playoff spot. (9-1)

Week 11

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Steelers	0	10	10	0	20
Jets	0	0	0	7	7

Date: November 30
Location: Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York
Game attendance: 52,618
Referee: Cal Lepore

In Week 11, the Steelers beat the Jets 20-7. (10-1)

Week 12

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	3	14	0	0	17
• Steelers	7	3	14	7	31

Date: December 7
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 47,962
Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C) (Sunny), Wind 11 mph (18 km/h)
Referee: Pat Haggerty
Television network: NBC

In another defeat of Cleveland in Week 13, 31-17, the Steelers continued their winning streak to 10. (11-1)

Week 13

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	7	0	7	14
• Steelers	14	7	7	7	35

Date: Saturday, December 13
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 12:30 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 48,889
Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), (Sunny) wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
Referee: Ben Dreith
Television network: NBC

In Week 13, the Steelers finished the sweep of the division by beating the Bengals again, 35-14. (12-1)

Week 14

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	0	0	0	3
• Rams	0	3	0	7	10

Date: Saturday, December 20
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Game start: 9:00 p.m., EST
Game attendance: 69,389
Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
Referee: Tommy Bell
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Alex Karras

In the meaningless Week 14 game, the Steelers were beaten by Los Angeles, 10-3. (12-2)

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Pittsburgh Steelers⁽¹⁾	12	2	0	.857	6–0	10–1	373	162	L1
Cincinnati Bengals⁽⁴⁾	11	3	0	.786	3–3	8–3	340	246	W1
Houston Oilers	10	4	0	.714	2–4	7–4	293	226	W3
Cleveland Browns	3	11	0	.214	1–5	2–8	218	372	L1

Stats

Quarter-by-quarter

Quarter-by-quarter
	1	2	3	4	OT	T
Steelers	63	118	81	111	0	373
Opponents	9	62	23	68	0	162

Postseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Venue
Divisional	December 27	Baltimore Colts	W 28–10	Three Rivers Stadium
AFC Championship	January 4	Oakland Raiders	W 16–10	Three Rivers Stadium
Super Bowl X	January 18	Dallas Cowboys	W 21–17	Miami Orange Bowl

Game summaries

Divisional

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	7	3	0	10
• Steelers	7	0	7	14	28

Date: Saturday, December 27
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game attendance: 49,557
Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C) (Light Snow)
Referee: Pat Haggerty
TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson, John Brodie, and Don Meredith

Franco Harris gained 152 yds rushing, one yard less than the Baltimore Colts offense. Andy Russell set a record for longest playoff fumble return.

AFC Championship

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	0	0	10	10
• Steelers	0	3	0	13	16

Date: January 4
Location: Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game attendance: 50,609
Game weather: 16 °F (−9 °C) (Blowing Snow)
Referee: Ben Dreith
TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, and Don Meredith

Pittsburgh won the game, despite giving up eight turnovers.^[9]

Super Bowl

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	7	3	0	7	17
• Steelers	7	0	0	14	21

Date: January 18
Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
Game start: 2:00 p.m. EST
Game attendance: 80,187
Referee: Norm Schachter
TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier

Lynn Swann earned the MVP award catching 4 receptions for 161 yards.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won their 2nd of their 6 Super Bowl championships.

Awards, honors, and records

Mel Blount, National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award^[10]
Lynn Swann, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player

References

^ "NFL Top 100 Teams". Pro Football Reference.
^ "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT". NFL.com.
^ ^a ^b Stellino, Vito (September 22, 1975). "Steelers now taking care of business, 37-0". Pittsburgh Gazette. p. 16.
^ ^a ^b Musick, Phil (September 22, 1975). "Steelers throw switch on Chargers". Pittsburgh Press. p. 25.
^ 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
^ "1975 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
^ "Number three". Three Rivers top Greatest Play and Game. PittsburghSteelers.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
^ "1975 Awards Voting". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.

External links

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com

[NFL_Top_100_Teams-1] "NFL Top 100 Teams". Pro Football Reference.

[100_Greatest_Teams-2] "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT". NFL.com.

[tcgs-3] Stellino, Vito (September 22, 1975). "Steelers now taking care of business, 37-0". Pittsburgh Gazette. p. 16.

[sthtwsw-4] Musick, Phil (September 22, 1975). "Steelers throw switch on Chargers". Pittsburgh Press. p. 25.

[5] 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[6] 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[7] 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.

[8] "1975 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

[9] "Number three". Three Rivers top Greatest Play and Game. PittsburghSteelers.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2008.

[10] "1975 Awards Voting". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.

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1	PIT	Roy Gerela 29-yard field goal	Steelers 3–0

1	PIT	Frank Lewis 40-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 10–0

2	PIT	Gerry Mullins recovered fumble in end zone (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 17–0

2	PIT	Roy Gerela 25-yard field goal	Steelers 20–0

3	PIT	Roy Gerela 38-yard field goal	Steelers 23–0

4	PIT	John Stallworth 38-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 30–0

4	PIT	Mike Collier 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 37–0


2	BUF	John Leypoldt 37-yard field goal	Bills 3–0

2	BUF	Mike Kadish 26-yard fumble return (John Leypoldt kick)	Bills 10–0

3	BUF	Reuben Gant 7-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (John Leypoldt kick)	Bills 17–0

3	BUF	O. J. Simpson 88-yard run (kick failed)	Bills 23–0

3	PIT	Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Bills 23–7

4	BUF	Bob Chandler 28-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (John Leypoldt kick)	Bills 30–7

4	PIT	Randy Grossman 20-yard pass from Joe Gilliam (Roy Gerela kick)	Bills 30–14

4	PIT	Franco Harris 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Bills 30–21


1	PIT	John Stallworth 3-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 7–0

2	PIT	Franco Harris 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 14–0

2	PIT	Mike Collier 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 21–0

2	PIT	Lynn Swann 43-yard pass from Joe Gilliam (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 28–0

4	CLE	McKinnis 7-yard run (kick failed)	Steelers 28–6

4	PIT	Reggie Garrett 45-yard pass from Joe Gilliam (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 35–6

4	PIT	Reggie Harrison 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 42–6


1	DEN	Jim Turner 22-yard field goal	Broncos 3–0

1	PIT	Lynn Swann 43-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 7–3

2	PIT	Lynn Swann 9-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 14–3

2	PIT	Roy Gerela 39-yard field goal	Steelers 17–3

2	DEN	Jim Turner 39-yard field goal	Steelers 17–6

2	DEN	Jim Turner 36-yard field goal	Steelers 17–9

4	PIT	Roy Gerela 28-yard field goal	Steelers 20–9


2	CHI	Bob Thomas 32-yard field goal	Bears 3–0

2	PIT	Roy Gerela 37-yard field goal	Tie 3–3

2	PIT	Reggie Harrison 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 10–3

3	PIT	Roy Gerela 18-yard field goal	Steelers 13–3

3	PIT	Franco Harris 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 20–3

4	PIT	Rocky Bleier 3-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 27–3

4	PIT	Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick)	Steelers 34–3