I was born in 1974, the same year they drafted the best middle linebacker in the history of the NFL: Jack Lambert. I have lived my entire life in a suburb six miles from the city of Pittsburgh and can even see the former USS Steel building glittering at night from my backyard. This is Steeler country and the area is a buzz from the first day of training camp til' 'holy playoff weeks' (and hopefully at a crescendo if perchance: The Superbowl!). Every Steeler fan has their own story and this one is mine...
My father played semi pro football in the 1950s for a Steelers' affiliate called "The Duquesne Ironmen". He was a safety and then after his playing days were over he coached special teams. He also worked in the steel mills of Duquesne and Homestead PA for nearly 40 years. I would watch football with my father(professional or college) since we usually didn't get to talk much during the week. I used to ask him questions about the game like what the officials were signaling, what each player is responsible for, just what a 4th down meant etc and so forth. I am convinced that my Dad should replace John Madden as a commentator (not being biased or anything!).
My real love of football came during the 2004 AFC Championship game as we suffered a bitter defeat to the Patriots (second time in two years). My girlfriends were all married and I was spending increasing amounts of time with guy drinking buddies and well in proverbial Rome you know what you have to do. All I had to do was find a favorite player...
I became interested in our strong safety Troy Polamalu (who plays the same position my father did way back in the day). He's a graceful yet intimidating force out on the field and rather shy and reclusive when he leaves the stadium. He gives 100% every game and is so passionate that you can't help but admire him. Not to mention that to die for hair that flows over his jersey! The fact that he loves to play the piano and plant flowers when he's not tackling or sacking is extremely endearing.
By the time the 2005 season came to an end I was enraptured with our team and the hope that we would make it to the Superbowl. The Steelers' Fight Song sent chills up my spine and I couldn't wait to watch the playoffs at Jonny Mike's (a bar in Penn Hills PA which has great dollar beer specials to either enhance your euphoria or drown your sorrows during Steeler games). The company I work for even made special arrangements to switch operation days for the AFC Championship game and then finally the Superbowl. (I was scheduled to work the AFC Championship game Sunday so I gladly agreed to come in on the Saturday before!). The playoff games were on the edge of your seat shockers at times (especially the field goal missed by the Colts) and it all came to the grand finally of Superbowl XL. The Superbowl itself was not as dramatic as the playoff gauntlet but the Steelers prevailed in the end. One for the the thumb was finally accomplished!
I usually watch the Steelers games with my buddies and my Dad does his own thing, but I often think of his reaction during the game as I'm watching it. I also think of how he must have looked out on the field playing the game of football. Maybe my love of football runs much deeper than just enjoying the game; maybe it's the topic that can bridge the generation gap between my Father and I and also make me proud of who I am and where I come from. GO STEELERS!
My father played semi pro football in the 1950s for a Steelers' affiliate called "The Duquesne Ironmen". He was a safety and then after his playing days were over he coached special teams. He also worked in the steel mills of Duquesne and Homestead PA for nearly 40 years. I would watch football with my father(professional or college) since we usually didn't get to talk much during the week. I used to ask him questions about the game like what the officials were signaling, what each player is responsible for, just what a 4th down meant etc and so forth. I am convinced that my Dad should replace John Madden as a commentator (not being biased or anything!).
My real love of football came during the 2004 AFC Championship game as we suffered a bitter defeat to the Patriots (second time in two years). My girlfriends were all married and I was spending increasing amounts of time with guy drinking buddies and well in proverbial Rome you know what you have to do. All I had to do was find a favorite player...
I became interested in our strong safety Troy Polamalu (who plays the same position my father did way back in the day). He's a graceful yet intimidating force out on the field and rather shy and reclusive when he leaves the stadium. He gives 100% every game and is so passionate that you can't help but admire him. Not to mention that to die for hair that flows over his jersey! The fact that he loves to play the piano and plant flowers when he's not tackling or sacking is extremely endearing.
By the time the 2005 season came to an end I was enraptured with our team and the hope that we would make it to the Superbowl. The Steelers' Fight Song sent chills up my spine and I couldn't wait to watch the playoffs at Jonny Mike's (a bar in Penn Hills PA which has great dollar beer specials to either enhance your euphoria or drown your sorrows during Steeler games). The company I work for even made special arrangements to switch operation days for the AFC Championship game and then finally the Superbowl. (I was scheduled to work the AFC Championship game Sunday so I gladly agreed to come in on the Saturday before!). The playoff games were on the edge of your seat shockers at times (especially the field goal missed by the Colts) and it all came to the grand finally of Superbowl XL. The Superbowl itself was not as dramatic as the playoff gauntlet but the Steelers prevailed in the end. One for the the thumb was finally accomplished!
I usually watch the Steelers games with my buddies and my Dad does his own thing, but I often think of his reaction during the game as I'm watching it. I also think of how he must have looked out on the field playing the game of football. Maybe my love of football runs much deeper than just enjoying the game; maybe it's the topic that can bridge the generation gap between my Father and I and also make me proud of who I am and where I come from. GO STEELERS!
