The Pittsburgh Steelers began the week by announcing that Heinz Field would no longer keep its name, as Acrisure Stadium will be the name beginning in 2022. 93.7 The Fan's Andrew Fillipponi was the first one to break the shocking news. For Pittsburgh fans, it's the end of an era, and many aren't too happy with the new name, which doesn't help matters either.
Steelers legendary running back, Rocky Bleier agrees with you, Steelers fans. He even has a suggestion for what the name should be, via KDKA-TV's Ian Smith:
"It should be Rooney Field sponsored by whoever," Bleier said via Smith's video on Twitter. "And that way, all of the rest of us can just call it the Rooney Field, and we don't have to think about a new name."
Well said, Mr. Bleier, I'm with you. We shouldn't have to think about how to pronounce the field's name before saying it each time. The "Rooney Field sponsored by Acrisure" has a much better sound to it than simply "Acrisure Field." Bleier has been openly critical of the Steelers in the past, including their exit from the playoffs last year against the Kansas City Chiefs.
PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 26: Giant Heinz ketchup bottle sits atop the Heinz Field scoreboard inside Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers football teams in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 26, 2016. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Just months ago, Steelers president Art Rooney II had confidence that the Heinz Field name would stick with the team and city for the near-future. Now, we won't be able to see the two Heinz ketchup bottles when looking up to the scoreboard.
It'll take awhile for us all to get used to the new name, but we don't have much choice. In fact, the name will be in place for awhile. The Steelers and Acrisure agreed to a 15-year, $150 million deal. Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, had the details on the new agreement with the company out of Michigan.
SOURCE: Steelers naming rights deal with Acrisure is worth $150 million over 15 years. More than triples the 20-year, $57 million deal they had with Heinz when stadium opened in 2001.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) July 12, 2022
Bleier remains a legend in Pittsburgh, and he makes his opinion known more times than not. On this topic, he's correct. The Vietnam veteran won four Super Bowl rings in the black and gold back in the 1970's. In 13 seasons, Bleier played 140 games, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He carried the ball just 928 times in his career, for 3,865 yards and 23 touchdowns. Through the air, he added an extra dimension with 136 catches for 1,294 yards and two receiving TD's.
The northwest corner of Heinz Field | CREDIT: STEELERS.COM
He had just 13 touches from scrimmage in his first four NFL seasons, yet he weathered the storm and began a key component of those legendary teams. His story remains a very cool one, and he played alongside Franco Harris in the backfield. As a result, he's a true fan favorite in the town of Pittsburgh.
Do you guys agree that it should be called Rooney Field? I think Bleier's idea is a really good one, although the Rooney family likely wouldn't want to name it after themselves. That name would have to be something that happens when the Rooney's are out of the organization. Let us know your thoughts on the recent name change to the Steelers stadium.
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