Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) are honoring the life and career of former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Chuck Noll.
Today, Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan resolution to commemorate Noll’s achievements, both on and off the field, while designating Sunday, September 7, 2014 as “Chuck Noll Day.” On Sunday, September 7, the Steelers open their 2014-2015 season with a game against their division rival-- the Cleveland Browns.
“Chuck Noll provided the culture of success on and off the field. 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,” said Sen. Casey. “This resolution honors his milestones of creating the Steel Curtain and winning four Super Bowls. For Coach Noll, it was not just about the winning, but the work, preparation, and determination that led to success. We will never forget the impact he had on all of Western Pennsylvania, and Steelers fans across the nation and worldwide.”
“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 Sen. Toomey. “The consummate professional and team player, Coach Noll played multiple positions on both sides of the ball while in high school, college and in the pros. It was this determination that spurred him to work his way up through the coaching ranks for nearly a decade until he landed the top job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once with the Steelers, Noll used a hands-on approach to teaching and coaching which yielded four Super Bowl titles, nearly 200 career wins, and a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The City of Pittsburgh and football fans across Pennsylvania will miss Coach Noll.”
Charles “Chuck” Noll passed away at age 82 on June 13, 2014 at his home in Sewickley, Pa.
The full text of the resolution is below.
Resolution
Honoring the life and career of Charles ‘‘Chuck’’ Noll.
Whereas Chuck Noll was born on January 5, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio;
Whereas Chuck Noll excelled at multiple positions on the football field during a preparatory career at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio and during a college career at the University of Dayton;
Whereas, after being drafted in the 20th round of the 1953 National Football League Draft by his hometown team, the Cleveland Browns, Chuck Noll enjoyed a seven-year career as a linebacker and offensive lineman;
Whereas, after his playing career ended, Chuck Noll joined coaching staffs headed by two future Hall-of-Famers, Sid Gillman of the San Diego Chargers and Don Shula of the Baltimore Colts;
Whereas, after serving as an assistant coach for nearly a decade, Chuck Noll was selected by the Rooney family to serve as 14th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team on January 27, 1969;
Whereas Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney is quoted as saying ‘‘hiring Chuck Noll was the best decision we ever made for the Steelers’’;
Whereas, in 1972, in Chuck Noll’s fourth season as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Steelers won 11 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 1947;
Whereas, on January 12, 1975, the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty was born when Chuck Noll led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings to win Super Bowl IX—the first of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ now six Super Bowl titles;
Whereas, over the five football seasons after winning Super Bowl IX, Chuck Noll’s Pittsburgh Steelers went on to capture an additional three Super Bowl titles—Super Bowl X and XIII, both by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, and Super Bowl XIV, by defeating the Los Angeles Rams;
Whereas Chuck Noll is best known for masterminding the ‘‘Steel Curtain’’, one of the most stout and prolific defensive units in National Football League history;
Whereas both Chuck Noll’s ability to identify talent and his hands-on coaching technique led to Hall of Fame careers for more than 10 of Chuck Noll’s players;
Whereas, following 23 football seasons and 193 football game wins, including a record four Super Bowl titles as a head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chuck Noll was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as part of the Class of 1993; and
Whereas, on June 13, 2014, Chuck Noll passed away surrounded by loved ones at his home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania at the age of 82: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the life and career of Chuck Noll and his contributions to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the National Football League.
(2) expresses its sympathies to his family, friends, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers fans, and football fans all around the world
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