Why is Steelers logo on one side of the helmet? Exploring history and meaning behind Steelmark

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an iconic logo. However, unlike the 31 other teams who have their logos sketched on either side of their helmet, the Steelers emblem is marked on just one side.

The reason behind this is fairly simple but interesting at the same time.

Why is Pittsburgh Steelers logo on one side of the helmet?

Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw - Source: Getty

When the Steelers' "Steelmark" logo was etched into the team's gear in 1962, then-Steelers owner Dan Rooney had requested the team's equipment manager Jack Hart to establish the design on the right side of the helmet.

Since Rooney didn't specify that he wanted the logo on both sides, the design was created on just one side. Since then, the Pittsburgh outfit has kept up the tradition of having its emblem on just the right side of the headgear.

In an interview with the LA Times in 2019, former Steelers communications director Joe Gordon spoke on why the Steelers logo is placed on just one side of the helmet.

“It’s a very simple story: It was an arbitrary decision by the equipment manager,” Gordon said. “Dan Rooney told him to put the decal on the helmet, and he just went ahead and did it and put it on the right side only. Dan was not specific as to whether he wanted it on both sides of the helmet or just the one side. So once it was done, he never changed it.”

Before deciding on their logo, the Steelers had gold-colored helmets and player numbers on either side. However, the organization chose to change them to black-colored helmets since the new logo had the color gold in it which needed to catch the eye.

The Steelers' logo was created by USX Corp based on the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The team also petitioned the AISI to change the word “Steel” to “Steelers.”

The design features a circle that is around three hypocycloids in yellow, red and blue. Each color of the hypocycloids also has a meaning: yellow (lightens your work), orange (brightens your leisure) and blue (widens your world).

The Steelers are one of the most successful teams in the NFL and have won six Super Bowls, the joint-most with the New England Patriots. Along with their glory, the Steelers' legendary emblem also stands out among the rest.