Preseason Games Pittsburgh/Miami

[JoeZagorski]

Hey Guys,
Can any of you tell me if Pittsburgh played Miami in the 1969, 1970, and/or 1971 preseasons? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Joe Zagorski

[GameBeforeTheMoney]

Looking at the Dolphins media guides for 69 and 71, the Steelers aren't listed on the schedule. The 1970 media guide shows them opening the preseason against the Steelers in Jacksonville on August 8, 1970.

Hope that helps. You can locate the Dolphins media guides on the internet archive.

[SixtiesFan]

According to Pro Football Archives, the Dolphins played the Steelers the first game of the 1970 preseason on 8-8-70 at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. The Dolphins won 16-10. They didn't play in either the 1969 or 1971 preseason.

[sheajets]

Interesting...the game was played in Jacksonville. Was the NFL testing Jacksonville as a potential expansion site going all the way back to 1970?

Honestly I think if you give the league truth serum they would absolutely not have put a team in Jacksonville. I think they probably regret it.

Jacksonville's population was right around 500,000 or so in 1970, but the city absolutely exploded in size between 1960 and 1970. 1960 it was about 200k

[JoeZagorski]

Thanks Guys!
Joe Zagorski

[JoeZagorski]

Although the date escapes me, I know that the Eagles played the Bills in both teams' first game of their 1973 preseason schedule at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. The Eagles won, 13-6 or 13-7 (I'm not sure of the exact final score). So, Jacksonville seems to have been worthwhile enough for the league to return to in regard to another preseason game after the 1970 Dolphins--Steelers contest.

[Bryan]

Interesting...the game was played in Jacksonville. Was the NFL testing Jacksonville as a potential expansion site going all the way back to 1970?

Honestly I think if you give the league truth serum they would absolutely not have put a team in Jacksonville. I think they probably regret it.

I think one of the reasons that the NFL wanted a team in Jacksonville is because the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL usually drew big crowds despite having a pretty terrible team. But I agree that the NFL probably regrets that decision now.