The Steelers Are Great, But Not a Dynasty

Everybody always wants to anoint great teams to the level of "dynasty".  Just like every great basketball player since Michael Jordan retired has to be anointed the "next MJ".  Let's relax on both fronts.

It has been reported at the Pro Bowl this week that Kurt Warner won't call the Steelers, the team that just beat his Cardinals in the Super Bowl, a dynasty.  And apparently this is such a shocking revelation there needed to be an article written about it.  

I don't know why.  He's right.  They're not.

It's cliche, sure, but let's review what exactly a dynasty actually is.  According to dictionary.com, a dynasty is: 

1. a sequence of rulers front the same family, stock, or group (the Ming dynasty)
2. the rule of such a sequence
3. a series of members of a family who are distinguished for their success, wealth etc.

None of those three definitions would appropriately describe the black and gold.

The Steelers are one of the most successful sports franchises in history.  It's hard to argue against them being the most successful football franchise in history, considering their six Super Bowl championships is the most of any team all time.  But dynasty they're not.

In sports, we often qualify a dynasty as a team that wins multiple championships in a short time period.  The Steelers, while they have won two of the last four Vince Lombardi trophies, did not reach the Super Bowl in either year between both wins, nor did they reach the AFC Championship.  Pittsburgh appeared in only one Super Bowl in the twenty-five years prior to their win in Super Bowl XL over the Seahawks.  Reaching one Super Bowl over a twenty-five year period means Pittsburgh never ruled over two and a half decades.  Dynasty they're not.

The most recent "dynasty" in sports would have to be football's Patriots, who won three Super Bowls in four years, including back to back titles in 2003 and 2004 in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX (38 and 39).  Prior to that, baseball's Yankees won four world series in five years, winning in 1996, and then three in a row between 1998 and 2000.  Basketball's last dynasty was the Bulls.  Chicago won six titles in eight years, between 1991-1993, and 1996-1998.  Hockey's last dynasty came way back between 1984 and 1988.  The Edmonton Oilers won four Stanley Cups in that five year stretch.

Those are true dynasties.  Those were teams that at the beginning of the season everyone was gunning for them.  The Steelers have had sustained excellence for a long time, but how many teams were gunning for Pittsburgh at the beginning of the season?  Zero.  Everyone was waiting to see if the Patriots would rip off another perfect regular season.

The Steelers are great, sure.  But again, dynasty they're not.