Here We Go Steelers!

Today I'd like to take a break from our (semi)regularly scheduled trivia to talk about a subject near and dear to my heart: the Steelers.

I like to say I've been a Steelers fan from birth, but that would be a lie. I was born into a family of die-hard fans. We speak of Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw in hushed tones. I grew up hearing stories of these great men, the heroes of Pittsburgh. I watched the games all my life, but my heart was never in it until I left for college.

I was born and raised in Wheeling, WV. When you grow up in Wheeling, Pittsburgh is your New York. I got my undergraduate degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and as soon as I left my family and the Pittsburgh/Wheeling culture, I missed it like crazy. I connected through my Stillers.

It doesn't hurt that my first year at college was also Big Ben's first year. I had found my hero, my modern Bradshaw. My Bengals fan roommates quickly grew sick of my rabid fandom, but I was addicted. At every party, I had one drink for a Steelers victory. I called my dad after every game, and we discussed the win or loss in detail. I decorated my dorm with the best in black and gold. It all culminated in the fabulous Super Bowl win. I watched it with my dad, fittingly enough, and we both cried when Jerome Bettis retired. It was that touching.

Now I find myself in Pittsburgh itself-my football homeland. I couldn't be happier. Watching the game surrounded by people who love the black and gold as much as I do has been incredible. Sunday night, sprinting down Forbes screaming and high-fiving was one of the best nights of my life. I cheerfully suffer my sore shoulder from waving my Terrible Towel high. Pittsburgh, I'm home.