1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 52nd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.

1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season
OwnerArt Rooney
Head coachChuck Noll
General managerDick Haley
Home fieldThree Rivers Stadium
Results
Record9–7
Division place1st AFC Central
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) 24–17
Lost AFC Championship (Dolphins) 28–45
Pro BowlersLB Robin Cole
WR Louis Lipps
LB Mike Merriweather
WR John Stallworth
C Mike Webster
AP All-ProsLouis Lipps (2nd team)
Team MVPJohn Stallworth
Team ROYLouis Lipps

Most of the stars from the 1970s had departed, but the Steelers showed signs of their past glory by amassing a 9–7 record to capture the AFC Central Title again. The highlight of the season was an October 14 win over the 49ers in San Francisco. It was the only loss the 49ers suffered all season. Also serving up highlights that season was WR Louis Lipps who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year. In the playoffs the Steelers stunned the Broncos 24–17 in Denver to earn a trip to the AFC Championship. However, the Steelers season would end with a 45–28 thrashing at the hands of the Dolphins in Miami.

Personnel

Staff
1984 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.
  • Controller – Dennis P. Thimons
  • Assistant Controller – Dan Ferens
  • Traveling Secretary – James A. Boston
  • Publicity Director – Joe Gordon
  • Assistant Publicity Director – John Evenson
  • Director of Ticket Sales – Geraldine Glenn
  • Assistant Director of Ticket Sales – Jim Ellenberger
  • Director of Player Personnel – Dick Haley
  • Assistant Director of Player Personnel – William Nunn, Jr.
  • Pro Talent Scout – Tom Modrak
  • Talent Scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz
  • College Talent Scout – Joe Krupa

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator – Tom Moore
  • Offensive Backfield – Dick Hoak
  • Offensive Line: Tackles/Tight Ends – Ron Blackledge
  • Offensive Line: Centers/Guards – Bill Meyers
 Defensive coaches


Strength and conditioning

  • Conditioning Coach – Jon Kolb
  • Assistant Conditioning Coach – Walt Evans
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber
  • Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates
  • Physician, Orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele
  • Neurological Surgery Consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon
  • Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek
  • Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli
  • Trainer – Ralph Berlin
  • Assistant Trainer – Gary Stragar
  • Equipment Manager – Anthony Parisi
  • Field Manager – Rodgers Freyvogel
  • Film Director – Bob McCartney
  • Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci

[1]

Roster

1984 would mark somewhat of a transitional year for the Steelers, as it would mark the final season of several key members of their 1970s dynasty--most notably Jack Lambert (who missed several games during the season due to a recurring turf toe injury), but also Larry Brown and Craig Colquitt--as well as the retirement of Mel Blount and the unexpected[2] retirement of Terry Bradshaw before the start of the season.

Additionally, Cliff Stoudt, who was the starting quartback for much of 1983 while Bradshaw was injured, departed for the United States Football League, leaving the Steelers thin at quarterback after Bradshaw's retirement on the eve of training camp. The team would trade for former Miami Dolphins starter David Woodley, who had been displaced by his former team by Oakland native and former Pitt quarterback Dan Marino, whom the Steelers infamously passed up in the previous year's draft. The Steelers first round pick from the previous year, Gabriel Rivera, was already out of football; he was severely injured in a drunk driving accident, leaving him a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. Woodley would split time with Mark Malone for the starting duties.

In addition to Bradshaw, 1984 would also mark another unexpected departure: Franco Harris. Unlike Bradshaw, this would be due to a pay dispute. As Harris was closing in on Jim Brown's rushing record alongside Chicago's Walter Payton, Harris felt that he deserved a pay raise. The Rooney family, feeling that Harris was near the end of his career, felt otherwise, and it led to Harris's release during training camp. Harris would sign with the Seattle Seahawks and would play eight games before retiring, 192 yards short of Brown's record, which would be surpassed by Payton that season.

On a positive note, 1984 would mark the first year of wide receiver Louis Lipps, who would set many team records during his career and would retire 2nd behind teammate John Stallworth on the Steelers all-time receiving list; Lipps is currently fourth behind Hines Ward, Stallworth, and Antonio Brown.

1984 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad [1] [3] [4]


Rookies in italics
 57 active, 3 inactive

Preseason

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Game Site Kickoff (ET) TV Result Record
1 Saturday, August 4 at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Municipal Stadium 7:30 p.m. WPXI W 31–14 1–0
2 Saturday, August 11 Philadelphia Eagles Three Rivers Stadium 6:00 p.m. WPXI W 20–17 (OT) 2–0
3 Thursday, August 16 at Dallas Cowboys Texas Stadium 9:00 p.m. ABC W 20–10 3–0
4 Saturday, August 25 at New York Giants Giants Stadium 8:00 p.m. WPXI L 16–9 3–1

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Location Kickoff (ET) TV Result Record
1 Sunday, September 2 Kansas City Chiefs Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC L 37–27 0–1
2 Thursday, September 6 at New York Jets Giants Stadium 9:00 p.m. ABC W 23–17 1–1
3 Sunday, September 16 Los Angeles Rams Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. CBS W 24–14 2–1
4 Sunday, September 23 at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Municipal Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC L 20–10 2–2
5 Monday, October 1 Cincinnati Bengals Three Rivers Stadium 9:00 p.m. ABC W 38–17 3–2
6 Sunday, October 7 Miami Dolphins Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC L 31–7 3–3
7 Sunday, October 14 at San Francisco 49ers Candlestick Park 4:00 p.m. NBC W 20–17 4–3
8 Sunday, October 21 at Indianapolis Colts Hoosier Dome 1:00 p.m. NBC L 17–16 4–4
9 Sunday, October 28 Atlanta Falcons Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. CBS W 35–10 5–4
10 Sunday, November 4 Houston Oilers Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC W 35–7 6–4
11 Sunday, November 11 at Cincinnati Bengals Riverfront Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC L 22–20 6–5
12 Monday, November 19 at New Orleans Saints Louisiana Superdome 9:00 p.m. ABC L 27–24 6–6
13 Sunday, November 25 San Diego Chargers Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC W 52–24 7–6
14 Sunday, December 2 at Houston Oilers Astrodome 1:00 p.m. NBC L 23–20 (OT) 7–7
15 Sunday, December 9 Cleveland Browns Three Rivers Stadium 1:00 p.m. NBC W 23–20 8–7
16 Sunday, December 16 at Los Angeles Raiders Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 4:00 p.m. NBC W 13–7 9–7

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 17 13037
Steelers 3 14 3727

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: September 2, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 84 °F or 28.9 °C (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 56,709
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Bill Wilkerson (play by play), Dave Rowe (color commentator)
  • [5]

Mark Malone and David Woodley combined for 419 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while the Chiefs won despite putting up just 264 yards of total offense.

Week 2: at New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 6 7323
Jets 0 7 10017

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 6, 1984
  • Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (16.7 °C), wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 70,564
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith (color commentator)
  • [6]

After coughing up four turnovers to the Chiefs, the Steelers picked off Pat Ryan three times and forced a fumble; they also bullied the Jets into eleven penalties for 115 yards.

Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Rams 7 0 7014
Steelers 0 14 3724

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: September 16, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 63 °F or 17.2 °C (Mostly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 58,104
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Hill (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator)
  • [7]

The Steelers limited Eric Dickerson to 49 rushing yards and forced two Rams fumbles.

Week 4: at Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 7 3010
Browns 0 0 101020

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: September 23, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21.1 °C), wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
  • Game attendance: 77,312
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • [8]

Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 10 0717
Steelers 0 14 101438

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 21 3731
Steelers 0 0 707

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers
1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 3 01020
49ers 0 7 01017

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

  • Date: October 14, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 59,110
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • [10]

This game was not on many NBC stations, since game 5 of the World Series was being broadcast at the same time. However, that game would prove the last Sunday afternoon World Series game. This was the solitary game the eventual Super Bowl champion 49ers lost during the 1984 season.

Week 8: at Indianapolis Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 10 0316
Colts 0 0 01717

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: October 21, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 60,026
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Gary Gerould (play by play), Dave Rowe (color commentator
  • [11]

This game was particularly frustrating to Steeler fans. One week previously, the Steelers beat the 49ers in San Francisco – becoming the solitary team to achieve this as the 49ers finished 15-1 on the way to winning the Super Bowl. Then coming back east to play one of the worst teams of the season, the Indianapolis Colts – who had only two wins at that point and were to win just four games for the season – they lost on a last minute improbable play after leading throughout the game. The Colts’ third-string quarterback, Mike Pagel, came off the bench in the third quarter and was leading a final minute drive from their 20. On the Colts 40 with 34 seconds left, Pagel avoided a near sack, scrambled right and threw down the middle of the field to WR Bernard Henry. The ball however went directly to the hands of Steeler CB Sam Washington who bobbled the ball. Between Washington and a few other Steeler defenders, WR Ray Butler burst through the gap, snatched the ball in the air and ran untouched 54 yards for the touchdown. The extra point sealed the game.[12]

And that’s why they play the game.

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 3 0710
Steelers 7 7 14735

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 28, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 72 °F or 22.2 °C (Light Rain)
  • Game attendance: 55,971
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Hill (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator)
  • [13]

Week 10 vs. Houston Oilers
Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 0 707
Steelers 7 14 14035

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 4, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F or 11.7 °C (Light Rain)
  • Game attendance: 48,892
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Gary Gerould (play by play), Harvey Martin (color commentator)
  • [14]

The Steelers limited Warren Moon and Oliver Luck to 224 yards; the Oilers fumbled four times.

Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 13 0720
Bengals 3 0 12722

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: November 11, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6.1 °C), wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn)
  • Game attendance: 52,497
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • [15]

Week 12: at New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 14 01024
Saints 3 10 01427

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Saints won their first Monday Night game in seven tries, and also avenged a 1974 Monday Night loss to the Steelers at Tulane Stadium. It was Pittsburgh's first loss to New Orleans since 1969 in what was the Steelers’ final game in the NFL before moving to the AFC as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

Former Steelers linebacker Dennis Winston played for the Saints in this game. It was also a homecoming for Lipps, who played at nearby East St. John High School.

Week 13: vs. San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 10 7724
Steelers 3 21 21752

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 25, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 54 °F or 12.2 °C (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 55,586
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Len Berman (play by play), Gene Washington (color commentator)
  • [16]

Week 14: at Houston Oilers
1 2 34OTTotal
Steelers 3 0 107020
Oilers 3 10 07323

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 2, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Game attendance: 39,786
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • [17]

The Steelers tied the game in the fourth yet fell in overtime, all despite intercepting Warren Moon three times.

Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 10 0720
Steelers 7 10 3323

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Week 16: at Los Angeles Raiders
Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 0 01013
Raiders 0 0 077

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: December 16, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
  • Game attendance: 83,056
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • [18]

Standings
AFC Central
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Pittsburgh Steelers(3) 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 387 310 W2
Cincinnati Bengals 8 8 0 .500 5–1 6–6 339 339 W4
Cleveland Browns 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 250 297 W1
Houston Oilers 3 13 0 .188 1–5 3–9 240 437 L2

Playoffs

AFC Divisional Playoff: at Denver Broncos
1984 AFC Divisional Playoff
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 10 7724
Broncos 7 0 10017

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 30, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 pm EST
  • Game weather: 33 °F (0.6 °C), wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn), wind chills 28 °F or −2.2 °C
  • Game attendance: 74,981
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • [19]

The Steelers sacked John Elway four times and picked him off twice.

AFC Championship Game: at Miami Dolphins
1984 AFC Championship Game
1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 7 7728
Dolphins 7 17 14745

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: January 6, 1985
  • Game time: 12:30 PM
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), wind 13 miles per hour (21 km/h; 11 kn)
  • Game attendance: 76,029
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Dan Marino threw four touchdowns and over 400 yards, outdueling Mark Malone’s 312 yards and three scores; Miami picked off Malone three times.

Honors and awards

References
  1. 1984 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  2. "The day Terry Bradshaw retired from the Steelers". Cover32. July 5, 2016. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  3. 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
  4. "1984 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
  5. Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 2nd, 1984
  6. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets – September 6th, 1984
  7. Pro Football Reference; Los Angeles Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 16th, 1984
  8. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 23rd, 1984
  9. Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 1st, 1984
  10. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers – October 14th, 1984
  11. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts – October 21st, 1984
  12. "Colts beat odds with a good tip", The Spokesman-Review, October 22, 1984, page 13.
  13. Pro Football Reference; Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 28th, 1984
  14. Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 4th, 1984
  15. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – November 11th, 1984
  16. Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 25th, 1984
  17. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – December 2nd, 1984
  18. Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders - December 16th, 1984
  19. Pro Football Reference; Divisional Round - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - December 30th, 1984
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