Posted on 02/03/2006 6:17:06 PM PST by mcg2000
DETROIT -- He is immortalized for his role in the most celebrated single play in Steelers history and remembered fondly for the sartorial splendor of having goldfish swim around in the water-filled soles of his platform shoes.
John "Frenchy" Fuqua, Detroit resident and bon vivant, couldn't be happier that his former team landed a berth in Super Bowl XL in his hometown, a home he shares with running back Jerome Bettis. But, he says, this moment belongs to a new generation of Steelers and a new generation of fans.
That is the quintessential Frenchman -- flamboyant and flashy, as bold as the team's color scheme, reveling in the moment of the super convergence that led the Steelers to a Super Bowl in Motown. But it also should be noted that he spent yesterday afternoon with former teammates Franco Harris and Lynn Swann at Detroit's Children's Hospital before heading to a private party with old friends.
"Number one, there's no doubt in my mind Pittsburgh's going to win. It's all set up. It's storybook. It's perfect. All we have to do is wait," he gushed.
Secondly, the Steelers have the home-field advantage because all of Detroit -- bitterly disappointed by the woefully prolonged state of the Lions -- has embraced the team, the fans and the city as their own.
"Pittsburgh's at home, or they might as well be," Fuqua said. "We don't have a team here. We pull for Pittsburgh. Just about everyone in Detroit is on board, mainly because of Bettis. All the bars, the clubs, this place has just exploded. They couldn't have planned a better place than Detroit."
"It was just like being in Pittsburgh," Fuqua said.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
The Detroit support for the Steelers may be attributable to the fact that both Detroit and Pittsburgh are Rust Belt cities with a history of heavy industry. Both cities are struggling financially. The cultural challenges are much more similar than between Detroit and Seattle.
I saw that sign a few weeks ago concerning the Lions.
"Rebuilding since 1957."
Hysterical.
"It's like I told Jerome. Forget about the dynasty and the '70s. This is your dynasty. You should make it yours. I also told him to forget about retiring. Remember, when we win Super Bowls, we do them two at a time."
If somehow the Steelers win big, Bettis will be back.
I heard on the news that so few people from Washington/Seattle are using their allotment of tickets to the game, that they have returned a great number to the NFL.
Amazing.
"Looking forward to a good game. We are all Americans first, and while it is fun to put that aside for a game, I'm mainly hoping that nothing happens to remind us that it is only a game. Here's to no serious injuries, no terror attacks and a great time on Sunday." ----
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Excellent perspective (imo).
By the way, I just heard (I guess it's true) on the news that ABC, in a desire to avoid a raunchy halftime scene, is putting a 5 SECOND DELAY on the ENTIRE game on Sunday. What will that do to guys like me who listen to Tunch and Hillgrove? Do you think the radio will also have a 5 second delay? If not, I might have to listen to the TV guys.
Why didn't they just have the delay for the halftime? This is way-over reacting, imo!
Only about 32 more hours to kickoff.
A five second delay on a live broadcast is not unusual and I understand it was more or less the norm 20 or so years ago. What I don't understand is why they stopped using it. It will screw up things if you are trying to watch the game on TV but listed to announcers on the radio.
The thing that concerns me the most about the Seahawks is that they have a very good offensive line, especially the left side. They have the NFL's No. 1 rusher. If they get the running game going it will open up the passing game for them. If they get their passing game going, it will open up their running game.
Steelers "D" has to shut them down completely and play like they did in the three playoff games. The same pressure is on the Seahawks "D".
I'm looking for a fine game. Steelers were about perfect in the last playoff game. Hardly any penalties, I don't remember anyone dropping a pass, even the interception by the linebacker was excellent. They will have to play perfect football again, but they have proven that they can.
Isn't it possible that the radio will be delayed the same amount of time so that there is no major problem?
Boy, you really want to listen to Tunch and Hillgrove, don't you. LOL
"The Janet Jackson ripple effect (or should that be "rip" effect) has finally come around to the game that started it all. Sunday's Super Bowl will be on a five-second tape delay pregame, postgame and halftime."
I guess they are NOT delaying the time when the game is being played.
GOOD!
Sure made your day! I'm very happy for you.
ESPN was playing clips of Hillgrove sreaming out, "Touchdown, Steelers" over and over again on some Steeler highlights during Super Bowl pregame hype shows.
Mike Ditka says the Steelers are a team of destiny now and will win the game. Swannee was on last night picking the Steelers.
FOX Sports Network had the Top Ten linebackers of all time on last night (their picks). Jack Ham was # 10 and Jack Splat was No. 4. Kevin Green was # 9, Singletary was on it as was Ray Nitchke (spelling). Butkus was #2 and Lawrence Taylor was #1.
Amen to that.
As soon as the game ends its back to real life.
Just a diversion from the burdens of reality, nothing more.
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