The Turnpike Rivalry - by Richard Peterson & Stephen Peterson (Paperback)

About the Book

"Football historians regard the games between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the basis for one of the greatest rivalries in NFL history. Authors Richard Peterson and Stephen Peterson, in telling the engaging story of these teams who play only a two-hour drive along the turnpike from each other, explore the reasons behind this intense rivalry and the details of its ups and downs for each team and fan"--

Book Synopsis

Seven decades of the intense Steelers-Browns rivalry

Football historians regard the games between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the basis for one of the greatest rivalries in NFL history. Authors Richard Peterson and Stephen Peterson, in telling the engaging story of these teams who play only a two-hour drive along the turnpike from each other, explore the reasons behind this intense rivalry and the details of its ups and downs for each team and its fans.

The early rivalry was a tale of Browns dominance and Steelers ineptitude. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Browns-led by Hall of Famers ranging from Otto Graham and Marion Motley in the 1950s to Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly in the 1960s-won 32 of the first 40 games played against the Steelers. In the 1970s, the Steelers-led by Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and the Steel Curtain-finally turned things around. When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, Art Rooney agreed to move the Steelers only if the Browns also moved into the AFC and played in the same division so that their rivalry would be preserved.

Despite the fierce rivalry, these cities and their fans have much in common, most notably the working-class nature of the Steeler Nation and the Dawg Pound and their passion, over the decades, for their football teams. Many fans are able to regularly making the 130-mile trip to watch the games.

From the first game on October 7, 1950, where Cleveland defeated the Steelers 30-17, to last season's infamous helmet incident with Mason Rudolph and Myles Garrett, the rivalry remains as intense as ever.

Review Quotes

"The Turnpike Rivalry delves into the nooks and crannies of a fascinating Rust Belt tug-of-war defined less by classic games than by fans who are exactly alike but still can't stand each other. A perfect read for the journey along the turnpike."--Jonathan Knight, author of The Browns Bible

"While the game rarely meant championships for the winner, the bitterness and intensity between the two teams and their passionate fan bases have made the Steelers-Browns rivalry one of the most anticipated contests on the sports calendar. Richard and Stephen Peterson have done a remarkable job bringing the history of this rivalry to life in their book The Turnpike Rivalry. Whether you're a Steelers or Browns fan, or just love the game of football, this book is must for your library."--David Finoli, author of Classic Steelers, Breaking Barriers: The Chuck Cooper Story, and Pittsburgh's Greatest Athletes

"Pull over at a rest stop, crack open the cooler, and enjoy this trip through time that maps the 70-year rivalry between the Steelers and the Browns. By the time you're ready to hit the road again, you'll understand why the games between these interstate rivals mean so much and why every victory is a high-octane rush."--Anne Madarasz, director, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center

About the Author

Richard Peterson is the author of Growing Up with Clemente and Pops: The Willie Stargell Story. He is professor emeritus of English at Southern Illinois University. Richard and Stephen Peterson are the coauthors of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds, and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates. Stephen has worked as a teacher and screenwriter for the last ten years.