For someone who isn’t a sports fan, I find it bizarre that my first two posts on this blog are about sports. I just can’t let this one go by without posting about Pittsburgh, PA. Okay, I’m not from Pittsburgh but it was the closest largest city to me when I was growing up so that meant we followed the sports teams from there.
I remember saving the bread wrappers when I was a kid to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates game for free. Who can forget the loss of Robert Clemente in an airplane crash? Angels in the Outfield premiered at Three Rivers Stadium and I had tickets for my kids, nieces, and nephews. We made it a big family evening.
However, nothing compared to watching The Team of the 70s, or the Steel Curtain, consisting of a few players that I (a non sports fan) can remember, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Rocky Bleier, Mean Joe Greene, and Franco Harris, head to the Super Bowls. Pittsburgh was always the underdog. Back then, nobody liked them but their hometown fans. We loved them. We booed Bradshaw so many times I don’t know how the poor guy doesn’t have a major complex but those leaps Lynn Swann made to catch Bradshaw’s passes--the stuff of dreams.
However, as much as we booed Bradshaw we loved him. I don’t like Ben Roethlisberger. I didn’t like him the first time I saw him on TV being introduced as the Steelers new quarterback. Then he put Pat Tillman’s number on his game shoes and got in trouble for it. I thought his “show of support” was phony. I still do. Even though we only ever hear about Roethlisberger, he has a good team behind him, just like Bradshaw did. Not that I know many of them since I’m not allowed to watch the games, except for Troy Polamalu, and Hines Ward.
Roethlisberger is leading the Steelers to another Superbowl--and I’m not allowed to watch it. WHAAA! My husband, son, son-in-law, daughter, and daughter-in-law consider me bad luck. Every time I walk into the room, flip channels on my own TV, or even walk on the casino sports floor--the other team gets a touchdown.
My daughter-in-law, Rhonda, and I were shopping during the AFC championship game. We had dinner at one of the casino restaurants before the game was over. I could see eight TVs from my seat--all tuned to the Game. Rhonda kept hollering at me to quit looking at the TV. Sure enough, the Jets got a touchdown within seconds of me looking up at one of the TVs. Hey, the Steelers managed to win!
Anyway, I’ll be cheering for the Steelers even though I won’t be allowed to watch the game. Who will you be hollering and stomping for during the game? The Steelers or the Packers?
By the way, don’t tell my family I wrote this blog because if the Steelers lose, it will be my fault for writing about them.
As a final note about Bradshaw--I love his work and thought he was hysterical in Failure to Launch with Matthew McConaughey, Kathy Bates, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Here’s a link about Pittsburgh you might enjoy.
10 comments:
Hi Denise,
There is no joy in Indy this weekend since our beloved Colts are out. I am planning to go to the movies during Superbowl. Colts fans take it hard.
Morgan,
I feel for you and I love Peyton Manning. He has such a charismatic character, much better than Roethlisberger. Peyton's commercials are fantastic, he just seems very lovable.
Heck, if you believe my husband and the rest of the family, it's my fault the Colts lost the Superbowl last year. I was cheering for the Colts.
Well, in my part of the country, the FORTY-NINERS SUCK EGGS, so I'm cheering for two of my three favorite teams, the Steelers and the Packers. Franco Harris is one of my favorite all time players!
But, I'm originally from the Midwest so I must admit that the Chicago Bears will always be my glory team - especially the '85 Bears. Walter Payton is, IMO, the greatest player who ever lived.
I love the Superbowl and I get to watch it! So sorry to hear you're considered bad luck!
Steelers all the way!
Grew up in western PA and use to watch games with my dad growing up. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for undergrad. No way I could root for anyone else!
I have my Terrible towel ready for the game. Go STEELERS!!!!
Jean Murray
Hi Denise,
Great post. I was more excited about last year's Super Bowl than I am about this one - even though I WILL be rooting for the Pack (Hey, I lived in WI for 10 years)! However, since I was born and (mostly)raised in Louisiana, seeing the New Orleans Saints win the big game last year was something I'll never forget. :)
This year, I'll be watching from the comfort of my own living room and NOT paying $200 to standing the parking lot of Cowboy Stadium (aka "Jerry World" to the locals) and watch the game on a big-screen TV with several thousand other people. :)
Aww, I'm gonna be on the opposite side of the stadium, virtually speaking. The hubster is a cheese-head. Born and raised in Wisconsin. We'll be rooting for the Packers all the way.
I live with a Wisconsin boy and when we were first married during the Vince Lombardi days, one did not even speak during a Packer game. I suppose you can guess which way the wind blows here.. :)
I am also a jinx according to my family. I interned with the Patriots while I was in college and that year they went 1 & 15. I talked about wanting to intern for the Red Sox and my brother and father said I couldn't.
I'm watching today and rooting for the Steelers.
Gosh, you ladies know so much about sports. I confess to only be interested in the Super bowl food. Bring on the pizza and nachos!
Welcome to the blog, Denise. I must have missed your first post. Super Bowl Sunday is one of those nice days when everyone else is busy and I get quiet time to write :)
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