The Pittsburgh Steelers recently awarded the naming rights of their stadium on Art Rooney Ave. to Acrisure, an insurance company in Michigan. There have been thousands of Steelers fans everywhere expressing their displeasure over the name change. There is even a petition to get rid of the new name and revert back to Heinz Field. While the alteration in name has mainly been received in a negative fashion, former Steelers coach and Hall of Famer, Bill Cowher believes that the mix up is a good thing for the city of Pittsburgh.
Cowher was interviewed on KDKA and believes that it is very noteworthy that a company wants to become a part of the tradition of the Rooney's franchise.
"I think it's actually very flattering that a company comes from the outside to want to be a part of Pittsburgh," said Cowher.
The important part of the venue isn't the name to Cowher, but the tradition and the atmosphere that comes with it.
"And to me, it's not so much about the the name of the venue, it's the venue itself. Pittsburgh will always be a very tough place to play if you're a visiting team coming in here because of the people, the passion, the vibrancy that you feel when you enter into that stadium. So you can call it whatever you want, it's what you're going to feel when you enter that stadium and you're an opponent and what you're going to feel like when you walk out of there losing."
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team against the Carolina Panthers on December 17, 2006 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Steelers defeated the Panthers 37-3. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Steelers Hall Of Fame Coach Cowher Believes The Venue Makes The Experience, Not The Name
The legendary coach went on to express the importance of accepting the incredible scene that the stadium is, regardless of the name that we read when fans walk in.
"At the same time, it ain't going to change the atmosphere that's in that stadium. Whether it's Heinz Field, whether it's the Three Rivers Stadium, whether it's Acrisure Stadium, whatever it may be, it's the people in there that make it a special venue."
Bill Cowher screams at the refs during a playoff game in January 2002. / The Athletic
Cowher wants the people of Pittsburgh to understand that this change isn't to upset fans, but rather to enhance their experiences going forward and help the organization for years to come.
"I know that people of Pittsburgh, and I've been a Pittsburgher, are very, very resistant to change at times. But this is more about the economics of the game and trying to keep things competitive."
According to Cowher, this is more of a business decision to help the team going forward and Steelers fans are not going to complain if the money that comes in from the new deal enhances their experiences at the newly named, Acrisure Stadium.
Cowher does have a point with his comments. How many times have Steelers fans been in Pittsburgh at a game and felt the energy, passion and greatness? That is not going to change because of the name that you see when you walk in the stadium. The most important part is the experience and overall togetherness that happens when watching a game down on the North Shore.
Do you agree with the former coach's comments? Let us know how you feel about the naming rights change in the comments below!
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