Pennsylvania's two United States Senators – Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) – introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor Chuck Noll's coaching career and designate Sunday, Sept. 7 as "Chuck Noll Day." That is the date the Steelers will open their 2014 NFL season by hosting the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.
According to the resolution, Chuck Noll Day is to honor the life and career of a man who remains the only coach in NFL history to win four Super Bowl championships, and as Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said on the occasion of Noll's death on June 13, "the way he did it was with dignity."
"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."
The fact the Steelers will be hosting the Browns on Chuck Noll Day is significant in that Noll played for the Browns before coaching the Steelers, and that the teams were bitter rivals throughout Noll's 23 seasons in Pittsburgh.
"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 City of Pittsburgh and football fans across Pennsylvania will miss Coach Noll."
