Circa August, 1951: This is Pittsburgh’s other “Number 7” — Jim Finks. Finks was drafted by the Steelers in 1949 and stayed with the team as quarterback and defensive back through the 1955 season His most lasting contribution to the game of football, however, came during his years as an executive. After his playing days, he coached and then served as a general manager and club president. He hired new coaches and built winning teams at Minnesota, Chicago and New Orleans. Twice he was named NFL Executive of the Year. Finks was nominated to succeed Pete Rozelle, who retired as NFL commissioner in 1989, but owners instead chose Paul Tagliabue.
Finks died of lung cancer at age 66 in 1994. A year later, he was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jim Finks led the Steelers to the most lopsided victory in the team’s history. The year: 1952. PG sportswriter Bob Dvorchak uses spectacular footage from the game to tell the story.
