Perspective Of An Common Steelers Fan: The Story Of Phil Handler

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Early Life and Rise to the NFL

Phil Handler, born July 21, 1908, in Fort Value, Texas, to Lithuanian immigrants, starred as a guard at Texas Christian College, incomes All-Southwest Convention honors in 1929. At 5-11, 205 kilos, his velocity stood out. After becoming a member of the Chicago Cardinals in 1930, he earned an All-Professional nod on the 1935 UPI second crew. His grit caught Pittsburgh’s Artwork Rooney’s eye in a 1935 recreation. Handler, an everyday starter, was benched with six others earlier than subbing in, unable to halt the Steelers’ momentum in a 17-13 win. His work as a Cardinals participant and assistant coach (1937-42), together with ties to teammate Walt Kiesling, a future Steelers coach, cemented his Pittsburgh connection.

Path to Pittsburgh

Handler’s ties to Rooney and Bert Bell grew via NFL circles. As a Cardinals assistant, he scouted Pittsburgh’s 1942 exhibition recreation in opposition to the Rams, his eager stories on its roster gaining Rooney’s consideration. A Pittsburgh Press article in October 1942, talked about a Rooney-hosted post-game dinner the place Handler spoke to each groups with Kiesling.

When World Conflict II depleted rosters, Handler took the Cardinals’ head teaching function in 1943. Parker, later a Steelers legend, assisted Handler throughout that winless season. In 1944, the NFL’s 11-team scheduling woes led Rooney and Bell to merge the Steelers and Cardinals, forming “Card-Pitt.” Acquainted with Handler’s loyalty and scouting acumen, they named him co-head coach with Kiesling, alongside assistant Buddy Parker, a former Cardinal, tying Handler to Pittsburgh’s teaching lineage.

The Card-Pitt Debacle

The 1944 Card-Pitt season was a nightmare, the crew ending 0-10. Co-head coaches Phil Handler and Walt Kiesling, managing 31 gamers (13 Steelers, 18 Cardinals), ditched the T-formation for the Notre Dame Field after quarterbacks like Coley McDonough, drafted into the Military, and John McCarthy, sidelined by harm, couldn’t play, costing the crew dearly. 5 Card-Pitt gamers threw 41 interceptions, together with 21 by operating again John Grigas from the field formation. Steelers followers groaned because the Card-Pitt imploded weekly.

After a 34-7 loss to the Bears, stars Johnny Butler, John Grigas, and Eberle Schultz had been fined $200 for “detached play,” sparking a team-wide observe boycott. A heated assembly noticed Butler suspended and waived. A brawl in opposition to Washington—Handler was fined for verbally blasting refs, whereas Rooney almost joined the melee and paid “Cactus-Face” Duggan’s $200 advantageous —cemented the chaos. Grigas, juggling soccer and metal mill work, stop earlier than the finale, leaving a heartfelt letter. Followers referred to as them “Automobile-Pits,” trampled by all. Rooney swore off mergers, marking Handler’s Pittsburgh stint a darkish second. Roster woes ran deep.

A Low Level

The 1944 Card-Pitt season was crippled by Pittsburgh’s failure to signal any of its 30 draft picks, all sidelined by World Conflict II. Steelers followers dreamed of stars like Invoice Dudley, who’d shine post-war, whereas Handler and Kiesling scrambled. Solely six gamers, together with Ted Doyle, John Perko, and Tony Bova, returned for the Steelers in 1945, per Steelers data, in a chaotic rebuild after their 1942 successful season. John Grigas, close to the NFL dashing lead earlier than quitting, joined Boston, and Eberle Schultz performed for the Rams in 1945, deepening the roster hole. Even co-coach Kiesling left, leaving Pittsburgh to restart underneath Jim Leonard. Followers sighed because the “Automobile-Pits” turned a grim reminiscence, with Handler’s grit providing little solace.

Aftermath and Legacy

Handler returned to the Cardinals as an offensive line coach (1946-48, 1950) and head coach (1943-45, 1949, 1951), however his 4-34 document as a head coach is among the many worst for NFL coaches with five-plus seasons. He excelled as a Bears assistant, aiding titles in 1947 and 1963. Handler died in 1968 of a coronary heart assault, leaving a 39-year NFL legacy and Chicago Corridor of Fame honors. His transient Pittsburgh stint, battling boycotts and brawls, confirmed his resilience in a dismal 12 months.