Crazy Story Of Player Acquisition Emerges As The NFL Screwed Over The Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most historic franchises in all of sports, especially in the United States alone. The organization has had a ton of success as the Steelers have won the Super Bowl six times, which is tied for the most in the NFL. There is a ton of rich history involved with the Steelers going all the way back to when the franchise was founded back in 1933, and that includes stories from one of the best dynasties in sports history, which occurred in the 1970s when the organization won four Super Bowls.

Looking back at the Steelers in the 1970s, it seemed like the franchise was nothing but successful. Four Super Bowls in one decade is hard to do, especially without losing any of them. Pittsburgh brought home the Lombardi Trophy in back-to-back seasons twice, but it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows back during this time. In fact, the Steelers were kind of a dumpster fire up until the 1972 season when the team went to the AFC Championship Game for the first time. Two years later came the first Super Bowl, and the rest was history.

There are some smaller stories that don't get mentioned as much from this time period. One example being when the Steelers completely lost a trade, as the organization ended up receiving no compensation while losing a player to the Buffalo Bills. Bob Labriola explained this in a recent Asked and Answered for the team's website.

"In 1978, the Steelers sent wide receiver Frank Lewis, a former No. 1 pick who started in Super Bowl IX and was an extra WR in Super Bowl X, to Buffalo in exchange for blocking tight end Paul Seymour," Labriola wrote. "When [Paul] Seymour arrived in Pittsburgh, the Steelers failed him on his physical after learning he had recent surgery on the arches of his feet. Seymour was returned to the Bills, and after reviewing the situation, the NFL allowed the Bills to keep Lewis, who posted two 1,000-yard seasons in Buffalo and was voted to one Pro Bowl. Seymour never played another down in the NFL."

So essentially, the Steelers gave up wide receiver Frank Lewis to the Bills in exchange for a tight end that specialized in blocking in Paul Seymour. The Steelers failed Seymour on his physical, and he was sent back to the Bills. However, the league allowed the Bills to also keep Lewis. This kept Pittsburgh from retaining its wide receiver while also losing a solid blocking tight end.

This question came up because a fan was wondering if the Steelers ever had a situation that was close to the Maxx Crosby ordeal with the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. In that scenario, Crosby was sent to Baltimore, but the Ravens failed his physical. Crosby was returned to the Raiders, and all the picks the Ravens gave up were also returned to Baltimore.

Pete Rozelle was the commissioner of the league at the time of this trade between the Steelers and the Bills. It is hard to understand why the league would decide to allow Buffalo to keep both players, there may have been no precedent for a situation like this at the time. A ruling like that would certainly not be made today.

Steelers Missed Out On The Best Years Of Frank Lewis' Career

Lewis spent seven seasons in Pittsburgh, and the trade was made with Buffalo when he was 30 years old. His time in Pittsburgh was good, and he was a part of two of the teams that won the Super Bowl. However, he was somewhat buried in a loaded position group at wide receiver with Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in the mix. He went on to have the best years of his career with Buffalo. He played six more seasons and recorded 269 receptions and over 4,600 yards to go along with 24 touchdowns during his time in Buffalo. He might not have had the same team success, but he showed he was a great wide receiver.

What do you think about this trade? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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