In 1933, Pittsburgh joined the NFL whereas faculty soccer gripped town. Forrest “Jap” Douds turned the primary head coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a staff that later turned the Steelers. A Rochester, Pennsylvania, native and First Group All-Professional lineman, he stepped up when Artwork Rooney, a neighborhood sports activities entrepreneur, selected him to steer. His early work laid the muse for a legacy that ultimately introduced six Tremendous Bowl victories and counting. For Steelers followers who cherish the Metal Curtain period, Douds’ 1933 season stands as a humble begin to a exceptional staff historical past.
Early Life to Faculty Soccer
Forrest Douds was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania on April 21, 1905. A small city alongside the Ohio River. His father was a glass cutter. He earned the nickname “Jap” in highschool, although the origin stays a thriller, presumably tied to his fast strikes on the sphere. Newspapers dubbed him “Jap Douds” in over 2,000 articles. Native media topped him a neighborhood hero at Rochester Excessive College from 1920 to 1923. He captained the staff in his senior yr and scored a surprising 90-yard pick-6 in a 1923 victory over rival Greensburg Excessive College.
After graduating, Douds joined Washington & Jefferson Faculty (W&J) in 1924, a faculty recognized for its soccer prowess. He performed on the freshman staff and shone as a sort out, incomes reward. A February 15, 1925, article hailed him as a “most promising” varsity candidate. However midyear exams in 1925 left him ineligible, forcing him to go away W&J and search a brand new path.
Douds then attended Bellefonte Academy from 1925 to 1926. This prep faculty boasted a troublesome soccer staff, and Artwork Rooney’s brother James had starred there simply earlier than him. Future Steelers Luby DiMeolo, Mose Kelsch, Martin Kottler, and Harp Vaughan additionally studied there, constructing expertise that later helped Pittsburgh. Kelsch, Kottler, and Vaughan joined the 1933 roster, whereas DiMeolo coached in 1934. Douds performed a key function in securing the 1925 Prep College Championship with a powerful defensive stand.
Douds returned to W&J in 1926. He performed varsity till 1929. As a guard, he gained First Group All-American honors in 1928 and the Walter Camp Award because the East’s high lineman, a uncommon honor. Accidents examined him, like appendicitis in 1927 that sidelined him briefly and a 1928 firework accident that broke his jaw throughout a Fourth of July celebration. He wore a black masks to play, which drew Catherine McLaughlin’s curiosity. A Pitt scholar, she later turned his spouse after a courtship sparked by that masks. In 1929, regardless of a knee damage from a troublesome recreation, he led as captain, inspiring his staff with, “Comply with by means of and play the sport sq..” The 1930 census lists him dwelling along with his grandmother and Irish-born mom in Beaver, Pennsylvania, after his father’s 1928 loss of life from sickness.
NFL Profession
Douds launched his NFL profession with the Windfall Steam Rollers in 1930, a staff struggling to remain afloat. He gained First Group All-Professional honors as a rookie sort out, proving his ability early. Late that yr, his rights shifted to the Portsmouth Spartans (now Detroit Lions), a brand new franchise with huge goals. He began the final three video games and earned a spot on the NFL’s first All-Star staff. Portsmouth ended second with an 11-3 report in 1931, practically topping the league.
After marrying Catherine, he joined the Chicago Cardinals in 1932. He teamed up with future Steelers coaches Phil Handler and Walt Kiesling to kind a powerful line. A Pittsburgh Press article prompt he wished to play for Artwork Rooney’s semipro staff ‘if preparations labored out,’ exhibiting his native ties. His $8,000 Windfall contract and barnstorming video games, like an exciting match with Ernie Nevers, highlighted his versatility. Rooney later selected him for the 1933 Pirates, valuing his NFL expertise.
The 1933 season and past
Artwork Rooney signed Douds as the primary participant for the 1933 Pittsburgh Pirates, impressed by his NFL expertise and native fame as a well known faculty star. Douds sought teaching recommendation from NFL Commissioner Joe Carr, who related him to Rooney, which was a daring transfer for a brand new staff. As player-coach, he traveled with Rooney to Chicago on July 7, 1933, to safe the $2,500 NFL franchise with excessive hopes.
Simply after his son’s hospital keep for a fractured cranium—a scary time for the household—Douds took over. He introduced in W&J grad George Shaffer and J.P. Rooney semipro stars Harp Vaughan, Ray Kemp, and Mose Kelsch, including native expertise. Pitt’s 1931 nationwide champions had town buzzing. Nonetheless, Douds’ Pirates nonetheless drew 20,000 followers to their Forbes Area opener in opposition to the New York Giants. They misplaced 23-2 to the champs, but professional soccer gained a agency foothold in Pittsburgh.
An exciting 14-13 win over the Cardinals showcased Marty Kottler’s 99-yard pick-6 and Mose Kelsch’s wobbly PAT—their first triumph. Douds boosted passing with the NFL’s new guidelines, favoring the double wing offense. He believed Angelo Brovelli and Paul Moss would excel as a duo. Moss led the league with 283 receiving yards and the Pirates with 196 go makes an attempt. Nonetheless, 40 interceptions and a 30.6% completion price uncovered their inexperience. Of the 34 Steelers gamers, solely 9 had NFL expertise. Solely Walt Holmer, with 4 years of NFL expertise, had greater than Douds’ 3 years.
As the one NFL player-coach in 1933, Douds jumped into motion in opposition to Cincinnati. He intercepted a go in a 17-3 victory that boosted morale. The staff reached 3-3-2 midseason however slumped to 3-6-2. They allowed 208 factors whereas scoring simply 67 factors your complete season. This began the unlucky path towards the ‘Similar Outdated Steelers’ nickname amongst followers. Rooney pushed for thrilling, pass-heavy soccer, shaping Douds’ daring technique. However the method didn’t result in victories. After the powerful season, Rooney looked for a extra skilled chief.
Luby DiMeolo stepped in for 1934. He valued Douds’ versatility, utilizing him at sort out and guard regardless of nagging accidents. Douds appeared in 11 of 12 video games, beginning eight, however walked away simply earlier than the 1935 season. That left Invoice Sortet because the final remaining participant from the 1933 inaugural staff. He was additionally the one one to play within the Steelers’ first three seasons.
Put up-Pittsburgh and Legacy
Douds used his All-Professional fame and function because the Steelers’ first coach to form a various profession. In 1935, he opened a beer backyard in McKees Rocks, a well-liked spot for locals. He later joined Calvert Distillery, confronted knee surgical procedure in 1940 from previous soccer accidents, and coached the semipro Valley Giants in 1941. By 1945, he labored at a brewery, then took on a development supervisor function, and served as a tipstaff for Allegheny County Courts from 1948 to 1973, aiding court docket operations for 25 years.
Married twice, he raised sons Forrest Jr. and Paul, and daughters Sarah and Mary. Each sons turned academics and coaches, carrying on his legacy. Douds earned a 1976 induction into the Beaver County Sports activities Corridor of Fame, honoring his soccer roots.
A lifelong Steelers fan, Douds admired Chuck Noll’s 1969 concentrate on rookies, which was a recent method. He famous trendy gamers had been ‘greater and quicker’ however disliked facemasks and ponderous pads that slowed them down. He pictured Terry Bradshaw thriving as a 1933 halfback and praised Franco Harris’ versatility, saying he ‘might play any place.’ Rooney gave him season tickets, so he attended many residence video games.
Douds reportedly deliberate a guide about his Steelers days, nevertheless it by no means materialized, leaving his tales in newspapers and oral tales. He watched the 1974 Tremendous Bowl from residence, thrilled by the staff he helped launch. Douds succumbed to most cancers on August 16, 1979, at Sewickley Valley Hospital after an early coronary heart assault. Rooney mourned him as ‘one of many best linemen.’ Their friendship, nurtured at St. Mary of Mercy Church, endured till Douds’ remaining journey to his son Paul’s teaching retirement. Rooney noticed him on the airport a couple of months earlier than his passing.
15 Steelers Head Coaches earlier than the Chuck Noll Period
This wraps up my collection on the 15 Steelers head coaches who guided the staff earlier than Chuck Noll’s championship period. Every performed an element, beginning with Jap Douds, linking to at this time’s coach Mike Tomlin.
See under for every coach’s seasons:
Observe: In 1941, Bert Bell led the primary two video games, Aldo Donelli coached 5 whereas additionally at Duquesne (he selected Duquesne per the NFL Commissioner), and Walt Kiesling completed. Wartime co-coaches Neale and Handler teamed with Kiesling through the Steagles (1943) and Card-Pitts (1944) as a consequence of World Conflict II shortages. Chuck Noll took over in 1969. Since then, solely three coaches have led the Steelers. Noll till 1991. Then, Invoice Cowher from 1992 to 2006. Lastly, Mike Tomlin from 2007 by means of at this time.
Your Track Choice
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” carried out by the Nitty Gritty Dust Band, displays Douds’ lifelong bond with the Steelers. It traces his 1933 Pirates teaching to his pleasure on the 1974 Tremendous Bowl victory, a circle unbroken throughout the a long time.
