In 1949 the Pittsburgh Steelers had yet to experience a playoff season since their inception in 1933. Taking the field in 1949 it would be 23 more years until they had a playoff game which has infamously become the “Immaculate Reception” game of 1972. John Michelosen was the head coach in 1949, and he did get the team to a winning record of 6-5-1.
The Steelers’ line coach in 1949 was the future head coach Walt Kiesling and Mike Nixon served as backfield coach. Forbes Field was shared as the home venue with the Pirates where the Steelers would win three of five games that season with one tie.
The season began with a victory over the New York Giants 28-7 at Forbes Field. After a loss to the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh ran off three straight victories over Detroit, the Giants again, and the New York Bulldogs. The one tie on their record came in their game with the Los Angeles Rams. The 1949 season saw the Steelers suffering losses in some lopsided games as well losing to the Eagles 38-7 and then again 34-17 but also to the Packers 30-7.
These days the Pittsburgh Steelers hold training camp in Latrobe at St. Vincent’s College. In 1949 they found themselves holding their summer sessions at Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.
The official Steelers logo had not yet been developed to what it is today but as for the players of the 1949 Steelers, the team’s Most Valuable Player was without doubt Joe Geri. Geri did it all. He was the team’s primary quarterback throwing 77 passes with 31 completions good for 554 yards. Geri added five touchdowns and was intercepted an equal number of times. Bob Gage also filled in under center with 36 passes, 17 completions, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. Even rookie Jim Finks got in on the action as he worked his way towards becoming the franchise QB, something he accomplished after being named the starter in 1952. Finks would eventually land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 1949 Pittsburgh’s leading ground gainer was Jerry Nuzum who had 139 attempts in running with the ball and he finished the season with 611 yards. He did fumble the ball away five times, but he also scored five times. Joe Geri was not just a threat in the air but on the ground as well. He would run with the ball 133 times in 1949 and gain 543 yards reaching the end zone the same number of times as his teammate Nuzum. Geroge Papach was also a running weapon getting 407 yards total on 99 attempts.
When the quarterbacks were airing it out, they found Val Jansante 29 times for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Elbie Nickel, one of the great Steelers of all-time caught 26 passes for 633 yards and three scores. When it came to returning punts that responsibility fell on the shoulders of Bob Gage who had 16 returns for 390 yards or a 24.4 yards per return average. On kickoff returns it was Bob Hanlon with 11 returns and a 19.4 per return average.
Offensively, the kick was Joe Glamp who only made six field goal attempts and missed all but one. Joe Geri also added a successful field goal. As indicated Geri was probably the team M.V.P. as he also punted much like the great Sammy Baugh had done with Geri placing 43 punts in the air for a 43.2 average.
