Here we go, Steelers, here we go!
Heinz Field; image from thebrooklynnomad.com
I can’t let opening day of the 2010-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers season go by without a little mention here on Surrounded by the Sound. While not about travel per se, missing out on good stuff at home is part of being on the road. Missing the entire Steelers season is going to be rough for us. The fever that surrounds Pittsburgh during the season is incredible. Everyone – and I mean EVERYONE – gets caught up in it. It dominates the local news – well, okay, this happens during the off-season as well (a Steeler sneezed? Lead story!) Parents put their unborn children on the waiting list for season tickets. On Fridays, benevolent employers relax the dress codes to celebrate the upcoming game, so downtown is filled with office workers dressed in black and gold on top and work pants on the bottom. Tortilla chips, ice cream, bagels, and Smiley Cookies magically change colors to black and gold. Around noon on Sundays, Giant Eagle (a local grocery chain) is a madhouse but every shopper and employee is decked out in a Steelers jersey or t-shirt. At Heinz Field, the noise isn’t as deafening as it once was at Three Rivers Stadium, but the sound of 65,000 fans working themselves into a frenzy in a sea of yellow Terrible Towels is a sight and sound to behold. The fever is downright contagious, and it is part of the essence of Pittsburgh itself.
Terrible towels at Heinz Field; image from www.thesteelers.com
Opening day is always so full of anticipation: who is going to win the division? Could this be our year? Can the team pull through without Ben Roethlisberger on the field for four games – and – sounding like a sports commentator now – how will Ben’s off-season troubles affect dynamics with the team? How will Maurkice Pouncey fare in his rookie season? We thought about paying for a subscription to watch the games on the internet, but the chances of getting consistent, fast internet for the whole season is slim to none. So it will be our turn, now, to live vicariously through everyone at home instead of the other way around. Here we go…
It’s kickoff time!!! One p.m. here in the ‘Burgh ~ and you nailed it, Amy ~ (hey, maybe you could run for Mayor of the City when you get back). You forgot to mention that Pittsburghers even BLEED black and gold. 🙂 Love the pictures, makes me feel like you’re here ~ hope you have your black and gold on out there in the Jordan desert.
GO STEELERS!!
No black and gold – limited wardrobe you know and Sean saw no need for the Terrible Towel. I thought it could be multi-functional, personally. Thanks to DVE, Steeler Nation is in Jordan tonight – we’re streaming the audio for the game over the Internet. Currently 3-0, Steelers – longest field goal in Heinz Field history, just now!
And the Steelers win it 15-9 in overtime on a 50 yard Mendenhall touchdown run!
That’s our boys. 😉 So glad you got to at least hear it and how about that, Steeler Nation even extends all the way to Jordan.
Be sure to google Steeler Bars around the world. Maybe you’ll hit it lucky & actually get to see a game.
GO STEELERS!!! Glad you guys got to hear the game…that run was awesome! I think Ben will do well.