in case you have been buried under a rock, or maybe just oblivious, you should know that the steelers are my favorite football team. actually, they are my favorite sports team. period. it has not always been that way, though. there were many years i flat out refused to watch any football. what did i know? i was a kid. i forgive myself for those years, because i’m making up for it now, big time!
i went to my very first game two years ago. my friend, karen, and i braved very cold temps to watch the steelers squish the bengals (as it should be). i also got to experience my first tailgate that year (thanks mel!) and did my first keg stand. (don’t ask!)
so last night, they won the AFC championship by beating the ny jets. the first half of the game was amazing. at one point, the steelers were ahead 24-0. right before half-time, the jets got a field goal. the announcers were talking (during half-time) how it was a foregone conclusion that the steelers were going to the superbowl. seriously? do they know nothing about football? it ain’t over til it’s over, baby!
something happened during half-time, because the jets came back with a new determination. i have to say i am glad they did not play that way the whole game, as it would have been much closer (whew). in spite of their amazing and valiant efforts, though, the steelers still won, 24-19. to quote monty python, ‘and there was much celebrating. yay.’
yes, i am thrilled that the steelers won. but beyond that, i cannot put into words what an amazing thing it is to be part of the steeler nation. we are a fiercely loyal group-not a lot of bandwagon-ers. no fair-weather fans here… good, bad and ugly, steelers fans are steelers fans. i think THAT is what makes it so good.
we have had lots of good seasons, true. we have also had some crappy seasons. (think neil o’donnell or kordell stewert… crybabies) but we are still cheering for the same team, no matter what. rest assured, no matter what the future holds for our guys in the black and gold, you will forever find me waiving my terrible towl!! we are pittsburgh!!!
LOL Katho, I am honored to be a part of Steeler Nation all the way from OK! Loved this team since I was a little girl and used to watch it with my brother. I had NO CLUE what I was watching back then but it was fun. It runs deep, the sense of pride is unlike no other feeling except for what I feel as a military wife. Being a Steelers fan I have to say is a lot more fun, lol..
You have to go to a Monday night game sometime, nothing matches that, a Monday night game (in Pittsburgh of course) knowing the nation is watching the game, wow…gives me goosebumps just thinking about it, lol.
Holly, I knew you would understand! I will have to try for a Monday night game. I was a bit bummed to never get to see the Steelers play in Three Rivers Stadium, but Heinz Field is pretty amazing!
I was thinking a lot about this last night…I saw Rose’s comment about not understanding a “group mentality;” I guess I never really looked at it that way…I just am a Steeler fan. I was raised that way.
I used to go to the games with my Dad and some of his buddies when I was a young child; I grew up with the original Steel Curtain. Bradshaw, Lambert, Ham, Harris, Greene and Stallworth were the mighty giants of the team I grew up with.
We tailgated. We cheered. We went out to eat and celebrate (mostly) afterward. It was a ritual to me. I’ve owned a Terrible Towel (actually now several) for as long as I can remember.
I think a lot of my love for the Steelers now stems from the wonderful, warm, fuzzy memories I have from then. So, I think, at least in my case, there’s a lot more to it for me than just a “group mentality;” there’s more to it than getting an adrelanine rush from someone else’s accomplishments. It’s almost like sensory memory for me….it brings me great joy when I see the guys in Black & Gold win because it reminds me of some of the few happy moments of my childhood.
“HERE WE GO STEELERS!!! HERE WE GO!!!”
i envy you, dawn! i wish i had been so involved when i was younger, but we didn’t move to western pa until i was 10. i remember when i was getting ready to move, the boys in my class (in ohio) were jealous i was moving to pittsburgh because of the pirates and the steelers. i didn’t get it.
now i get it LOL
I grew up loving the Steelers and watching the games on Sunday with the whole family. Since my dad was a coach, I knew more than most girls, and alot of guys couldn’t believe I liked football. Steeler fans are a loyal group and we cheer the loudest or complain the loudest or whatever is required at the time, but I agree that a Steeler fan will die a Steeler fan. I have my original terrible towel and some new ones, I have my Steelers blanket that I watch the games snuggled under and will throw an awesome Super Bowl party to enjoy the day watching my Steelers play!!! Thanks for reminding me how wonderful it is to be a part of something like that.
jodie,
are there many other steelers fans where you are? i hope you have a rockin’ party! i know that i will be screaming my head off… lemme know if you hear me, ok? LOL