Who were the Pittsburgh Steelers before they were called the Steelers?

No, they were not. The Steelers were originally known as the Pirates.

• Pittsburgh Pirates - (1933-1939)
• Pittsburgh Steelers - (1940-1942)
• Phil-Pitt "Steagles" - (1943)
• Card-Pitt - (1944)
• Pittsburgh Steelers - (1945-present)