Sports fans are pretty crazy, especially those of the Pittsburgh Steelers. From rituals, superstitions, routines and all around craziness, fans' teams have a way to even control happiness. Those who cheer on the black and gold are aware of the special brother and sisterhood that comes up cheering on one of the world's most respected franchises. It is a feeling and fanhood that is extremely difficult to describe to the average person, but my goal is to try and explain what it really means to root for the Rooney's organization.
Where does it start? The first part goes back to what Ben Roethlisberger said after defeating the Dallas Cowboys back in 2020:
“I don’t want to take any shots at anybody, but if you didn’t know who 'America’s Team' was, then you should’ve seen the stands and all the Terrible Towels. Dallas might be 'America’s Team,' but we are the 'World’s Team.'”
A Steelers fan can be in Pittsburgh, California, Mexico, heck even over in Europe and is always running into more Steelers fans. Decals on cars, black and gold flags waving in front of houses and simply running into someone wearing a hat in the grocery store, the reach of the team on Art Rooney Ave. has no bounds.
Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers wave Terrible Towels in support of their team against the San Diego Chargers during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
While it is always a special visit heading to Heinz Field for a home game, attending a Steelers game on the road is truly what separates the fanbase. Consistently getting close to, or simply outnumbering opposing fans is a regular occurrence. And forget abaht it if the hosting home team decides to play Renegade with the Steelers in town.
They played Renegade in The Chargers “stadium” hahaha. They hafto sell the team now right? #Steelers #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ruxDi67yIo
— Goddy (@twobitsportz) October 14, 2019
The group as a whole always shows up when the team needs it most and will consistently be considered as a 12th man when the final whistle blows. The attendance on the road is one of the more mesmerizing things a fan of the team can experience. The amount of aficionados who show out is one of the many things that separate Steeler Nation from the rest of the NFL. Being at the games and watching the historical franchise compete is one thing, but the off the field trash talk is what every Steelers enthusiast does to take his or her passion off the field.
Steelers Fans Will Argue All Day And Night
The fans of the other 31 teams are constantly hating on the franchise that is tied for the most Super Bowl wins of all-time. We all have argued with New York Giants fans why Santonio Holmes' catch in the end zone to capture another championship was better than David Tyree's catch in Super Bowl XLII just the year before. Or that Roethlisberger is the better all-time quarterback than Eli Manning.
Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
Let's not get started about getting in heated arguments with fans from all over the league that bad officiating was the reason the Steelers won Super Bowl XL or consistently having to make cases for players like Hines Ward to make it into the Hall of Fame. Oh and Jerome Bettis did call tails on Thanksgiving Day back in 1998 and Troy Polamalu was more of a difference maker than Ed Reed, Ravens' fans.
It doesn't stop with just verbal disputes that connect a worldwide group of avid fans. Everyone remembers when they got their first jersey (mine was fast Willie Parker on Christmas Day in 2005) and Terrible Towel (my father put one on me as a blanket when I was born) and the undeniable excitement of getting ready for one's first game (unfortunately I saw Tom Brady and the New England Patriots take down the Steelers in the 2004 AFC Championship Game).
The most special part about being in Steeler Nation is the camaraderie and instant bond that comes with the fanbase. I write for a blog that covers the team and haven't met most of the writers, but we talk football day in and day out and it seems as if I have known the group for years.
Whether you were born in the 1950's or after the team's Super Bowl loss to the Cowboys in 1996, the history of the franchise is instilled in you when you get together with family during the holidays, watch your first game or make your first trip to the city of Pittsburgh. I feel like I was alive for the Immaculate Reception and wasn't even a thought in my parents' minds yet.
This brother/sisterhood has no bounds and is the main reason every game day I wake up and know there are millions all over the world screaming at the television with me and calling for everyone in the organization to be fired after running the ball on 3rd and 10. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
What does it mean for you to be a part of Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below!
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