Steelers Fan Spends Big Money To Send An Angry Message To Art Rooney II

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for having one of the most passionate and dedicated fan bases in all of sports. Steelers fans travel in droves to away games, often taking over opposing stadiums, and they pack Heinz Field—now Acrisure Stadium—no matter how competitive the team is. However, in recent years, frustration has been brewing within the fan base.

Art Rooney II has publicly expressed his frustration with the Steelers' lack of playoff success, but many fans feel his actions don’t align with his words. While Mike Tomlin has been a remarkable head coach, boasting 18 straight seasons without a losing record, his postseason struggles have become a major concern. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and Tomlin’s reluctance to adapt—often repeating the same mistakes—has only added to the frustration.

For many Steelers fans, this situation feels like the definition of insanity. That’s why Steelers superfan and creator of the Terrible Tailgate—Kevin Adams, took matters into his own hands. He spent big money to make his frustration loud and clear, paying for a billboard on Pittsburgh’s Boulevard of the Allies to send a strong message to Rooney and the organization.

"We’ve spent years being told changes would come," Adams told Steeler Nation. "And year after year, no changes are made. Not to the staff. Not to the approach. And certainly not to the results."

Adams explained his decision to spend a significant amount of money on the billboard, acknowledging that it was the result of years of built-up frustration. 

For him, this wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment action—it was a statement fueled by disappointment with the direction of the team. He went on to clarify why he believes Tomlin is at the root of the problem.

"It’s been almost a decade without a postseason win and the only constant in the entire equation has been Mike Tomlin," Adams said. "Hall of Fame head coach, but the message has gone stale. They are the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mediocrity is not good enough. For many other franchises it would be, but not in Pittsburgh. It’s time to try something new."

Adams’ words were honest and to the point. While he acknowledged Tomlin’s success and longevity, he also made it clear that the standard in Pittsburgh hasn’t been met for far too long. The Steelers, a franchise with six Super Bowl titles, are held to a higher expectation—one they haven’t lived up to in recent years.

"Steelers Fans Are Spoiled" Says The National Media

National media often label Steelers fans as spoiled, but the reality is that the team’s recent track record has been filled with disappointment. Despite boasting talented rosters, they’ve repeatedly fallen short when it matters most, collapsing down the stretch in crucial moments. Even Tomlin’s biggest supporters are running out of excuses. The same mistakes continue year after year, and frustration is reaching a boiling point.

That’s exactly why Adams took matters into his own hands. By putting up this billboard, he hopes to send a message loud and clear to Rooney. Steelers fans are tired of mediocrity, and they demand change. 

Steelers fans constantly hear from the national media that many organizations would be thrilled with what Tomlin has accomplished. But that couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, many franchises would have already moved on from a coach with this long of a playoff drought. That’s exactly why Adams felt this billboard was necessary—to make it clear that in Pittsburgh, the standard is higher, and mediocrity won’t be accepted.

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