On September 7th, the football season officially begins for Steelers fans. The team hosts the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field, with a 1:00 pm kickoff. The day has a new meaning now though, thanks to a senate resolution approved to commemorate the life of the legendary Steelers head coach.
The resolution, which was passed by Pennsylvania’s US Senators last week, designates September 7th “Chuck Noll Day”. “Chuck Noll was one of the greatest coaches in NFL history and played a huge part in turning the once downtrodden Steelers franchise into the powerhouse it has been for the last 40-plus years,” said Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) as he introduced the resolution last week. “The City of Pittsburgh and football fans across Pennsylvania will miss Coach Noll.”
Noll passed away last month at his home in Sewickley. He coached the Steelers for 22 years and brought four Lombardi trophies to Pittsburgh during his tenure.
“Chuck Noll provided the culture of success on and off the field,” said Bob Casey (D- Pa.). “Not only was he a great representative of Pittsburgh and a legendary coach who reached the heights of his profession, but more importantly, he inspired his players, his staff, and the entire Steelers Nation to strive for greatness.
“This resolution honors his milestones of creating the Steel Curtain and winning four Super Bowls. We will never forget the impact he had on all of Western Pennsylvania and Steelers fans across the nation and worldwide.”
Team President Art Rooney II said last month that the Steelers plan to honor Chuck Noll with a helmet decal or jersey patch this season. The details of which have yet to be finalized.
The Steelers plan to honor legendary coach Chuck Noll this season according to team president Art Rooney II. Mr. Rooney was on NFL AM yesterday sharing his memories of coach Noll. During the interview, he revealed that the team intends to honor his memory this season by including him on a jersey patch or helmet decal.
Art II was asked what plans the team had to honor Chuck Noll at home this season. “Well, coincidentally this season will be the 40th anniversary of our first superbowl win. So, we had planned on wearing a patch for one game this year, and bringing back the 1974 team,” Rooney told the cast of NFL AM. “Obviously we’ll build on that, and we’ll be of course including probably a patch, or a decal, or something. We’ll be working on that over the next couple of days, but obviously we’ll be including Chuck in the plans in terms of honoring that team, and honoring him.”
The Steelers aren’t the only Pittsburgh team planning to incorporate a jersey tribute. The Pitt Power is planning to add a decal to their jerseys to honor the late Steelers coach. Power co-owner Matt Shaner told reporters over the weekend that the team has requested league approval regarding a jersey decal which would pay tribute to Noll. Pitt Power is Pittsburgh’s Arena league AFL franchise.
The times for the funeral and public viewings of former Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll have been announced. Noll died at his home in Sewickley Friday night.
Public visitation will be held at John A. Freyvogel Sons funeral home Sunday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and on Monday from 2 to 4, and again at 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning at St. Paul Cathedral. You can see further details for viewing services at the funeral home’s website here.
If you wish to attend, you can see the map and get directions to the funeral home below.
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Here is the map to St. Paul’s if you are interested as well.
Charles Henry Noll left behind a legacy of greatness. His likeness became the symbol for hard work and tradition, and set the ethereal standard of success for future generations of Steelers players and fans. Coach Noll was a reluctant celebrity who avoided the limelight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Landry, Lombardi, Shula, or Madden’s name’s misspelled, but The Emperor still gets the inevitable silent K from time to time.
The man who coached the Steelers Dyansty of the 70’s touched countless lives during his 23 years as Steelers head coach and beyond. Here is a very small sample of reactions from fans, coaches, former players and more around the web today.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement about Noll’s passing earlier today.
What set Chuck Noll apart was his remarkable ability as a teacher. His subject was football and his students became four-time Super Bowl champions. Coach Noll’s quiet leadership produced extraordinary results that deeply inspired players, coaches and fans. He always put the team, his players, and the game first. His legacy of excellence will forever be an important part of the history of the Steelers and the NFL. We extend our condolences to Chuck’s wife Marianne, his son Chris, the Noll family, and the Steelers organization.
Art Rooney II was on 97.3 The Fan this morning sharing his thoughts on Chuck Noll. Art II described him as a tremendous person and a great person to be around. He also agrees that Coach Noll was the most important component of the Steelers development into a Dynasty. You can listen below.
The following interviews are also from 93.7 The Fan today. Coach Cowher, Mel Blount, and Merril Hoge all share their feelings on the passing of the iconic Steelers coach. Cowher
Blount
Hoge
Many former Steeler greats shared their thoughts via the Steelers website. I’ll just include a couple, but I recommend following the link to see the rest.
Terry Bradshaw:
“It’s certainly sad for Marianne and Chris to lose a husband and a father. In Marianne’s case, Chuck was her best friend. There is nothing sadder. And you start thinking about Chuck and when all of the wonderful things that come to mind, you realize he’s in heaven and spending eternity in peace. That’s very refreshing. I’m proud to have played for him. It was a great honor.
My relationship wasn’t good, as you well know, but he made me understand my job responsibilities, because I had to grow up. I came out of an environment with nothing but pats on the back and love. With him it was nowhere near that. I had to go through all the developments emotionally of how to deal with it. He was a tough coach to me, and I spent more time with him than anybody, so I know. I learned how to be mentally tough with him, and for that I can never say thank you enough, because that got me through divorces, Super Bowls, and those times when I had bad moments in big games. He made me mentally strong, which I wasn’t. And he instilled in me a great work ethic. I had a good work ethic, but preparation was paramount with him, so we spent a lot of time going through preparations for the games.
He was an amazing guy. I watched him more than he watched me (laughs). I had a great amount of fear for him. He’s kind of like a father from whom you want approval and you don’t quite get it, and in the advent of that journey you work harder and harder, you try to get better and better, and then when it’s all said and done he says, “Thank you. You were a great quarterback.” And you say, “Wow!” He was different than anybody I had ever been around and played for. He was smart, really smart. His game plans were spot on. He figured out the 3-4 blitzing schemes. He figured out the flex. He was just an amazing football mind. I would say I know I more about defenses than I do offenses because that’s what he taught me. He taught me defenses. If you know defenses you can run offenses.”
Franco Harrris:
“I am a little shocked by this, and sad. My condolences and my heart goes out to Marianne. She’s a great lady. These are times when we reflect on all the great memories and the great times that we had. And there’s no doubt that these memories that we had, probably people consider them the best of times in pro football. That goes for Chuck, the organization and the team he put together.”
Lastly, here are a few thoughts I selected randomly from some of the members of our community-
“I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.
Such a great man. I don’t often say I have an idol, but he was one.
Rest well, dear friend. We never met, but you touched my life just the same.
My deepest sympathies to his friends and family. Steeler Nation has lost an icon.”
“Gracias por todo lo que hiciste por nuestro amado equipo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Rest in peace you were the greatest coach of the greatest team ever assembled in any sport! I am so glad for being a little part of the Steeler Nation, that was brought to greatness by you. Thanks again Mr. Noll RIP.”
“One of the most important Steelers ever. He, Dan Rooney and Joe Greene transformed the Steelers. RIP Emperor the greatest coach the Steelers will EVER have.”
“Wow. I almost feel like a member of my family has died. In one sense, I guess that’s true, he’s a member of my Steelers’ family. Simply put, he was the most dignified and the classiest head coach ever to walk the sidelines of an NFL stadium. I’ve heard the word “stoic” attributed to Noll but I don’t think that’s true. A person who is stoic is essentially indifferent to what’s going on around him. Ask Jerry Glanville if he’d describe Noll as stoic. Ask Bradshaw or any player that had the privilege of playing for him if Coach Noll was indifferent.
One of my favorite Noll memories was Super Bowl XIV when the Steelers were trailing the Rams 13-10 at halftime after a lackluster first half. Steeler fans, including me, were nervous because the team just didn’t seem to be clicking that day and the underdog Rams seemed primed for an upset. But as the team was leaving the field Noll starting walking toward the locker room with a CBS camera man back pedaling with a camera in his face. Noll then began jogging slowly with the camera guy still back pedaling. Then Noll decided to have a little fun. He sped up to a sprint for a few steps and the poor camera guy finally decided to give it up. Noll laughed heartily as he continued on to the locker room. I knew then that the Steelers had the Rams exactly where they wanted them going into the second half. We’ll sure miss you, Chuck. May God bless your family during this difficult time.”
“Rest in peace, Coach.
I met him once and he was just as dignified in person as he always seemed on TV. He is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL coaching legends.”
“Goodbye to the much loved, much trusted leader and friend to a team, its many players, its owners, an entire city, and the fans who stand loyal worldwide. Blessings to all who will mourn him, and many thanks to a great guy.”
“RIP Coach Noll. You will never be forgotten. Any Steelers fan young and old will always have you to thank for the greatest franchise in the history of sports. Without your guidance there would never have been the dynasty that set this team to be the best ever.
I’ll never forget meeting you at a hunting and fishing club after catching some trout all day. I should have spent more time with you, Rockey, Ham, Russell and the few others up at the club house but the trout were really biting that day. I remember my dad coming down to pry me away from the lake to meet all of you but as an 8 yr old at the time I had no idea of what a true iconic legend really was.
RIP Coach.”
You can share your own thoughts with other members of Steeler Nation in the forum thread here, or in the comments below.
Former Steelers head coach Chuck Noll has passed away tonight. Noll coached the Steelers for 23 years, until Bill Cowher took the helm in 1992. He was the most successful coach in NFL history in terms of super bowl victories, and finished his career with a record of 209-156-1. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Noll’s health had been declining over the years, and he was reportedly under doctor’s care for an undisclosed illness. Severe back pain forced him to walk with two canes, and caused his public appearances to wane over recent years. According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner, Coach Noll died of natural causes at his home in Sewickley. His wife Marianne called 911 after finding him unresponsive.
There’s so much to be said about Chuck Noll. The man was a legend and was literally my idol growing up. He epitomized the hard working, lunch pail philosophy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
I’ll close this with a couple short videos. Share your memories of Coach Noll in the forum thread here.
