The Steagles, officially known as the Phil-Pitt Combine, was the team created by the temporary merger of Pennsylvania 's two National Football League (NFL) teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 1943 season.
It became known as the Steagles and despite the craziness involved, the team actually finished the season with a winning record at 5-4-1. It was the first time the Eagles had seen the other side of .500 since their founding in 1933.
Officially recognized as "Phil-Pitt Combine" according to NFL record books, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers merged together to create the "Steagles" during the 1943 season.
In WWII 1943, NFL rivals merged to form the Steagles, ensuring survival despite wartime challenges.
The True Story of the Steagles: How Two Rivals Kept the NFL Afloat ...
Obviously, the Steagles didn't win a championship that season. The Steelers were seen as a failed franchise, while the Eagles were looking to turn things around from a recent rebuild. There were...
Despite their challenges, the Steagles ended their first and only season with a winning record of 5-4-1.
One of the most unique stories in NFL history is that of the Steagles, a team formed by the Steelers and Eagles in 1943 due to World War 2.
Why Did the Eagles and the Steelers Merge To Form the Steagles In 1943?
On June 19, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles were granted permission to merge for one season. The team was to be called Phil-Patt, but fans adopted the term Steagles. Pennsylvania wasn’t the only team to have problems with players.