First Person: The idiocy of Steelermania

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | August 05, 2006 | Robert Biller

[mcg2000]

I dreamed, the other night, that the Pittsburgh Steelers had been sold to Steve Wynn and would be playing football in a new, $3 billion domed stadium that externally resembled the Roman Pantheon. Their new cheerleaders, the Vestal Virgins, were so saucy that only night broadcasts would televise their routines. During halftime, faux gladiatorial combats were staged and the winner was granted his freedom by the great emperor, Elvis Impersonatorus. The legions of muted fans sipped on mocha lattes and watched the world's largest keno board between plays. Moreover, as a paean to the great city they now represented, Las Vegas, their name was changed to the "Stealers."

Training camp is in full swing and a large portion of every newscast is devoted to how the team is progressing. Who cares? I know I don't.

[traditional1]

Myron Cope?

Never mind...if that nutball was the source, it's understandable....

[Old_Mil]

Trust me Western PA does bleed BLAK and GOLD!

Western PA may bleed black and gold, but America bleeds silver and blue.



Have a nice day. :)

[4yearlurker]

Mr. Cope's son lives at this institution.

[Hazcat]

Trust me Western PA does bleed BLAK and GOLD! Western PA may bleed black and gold, but America bleeds silver and blue. Have a nice day. :)

I see your team and your picture are alike. They both fail to produce :)

[daviddennis]

I was there during my trip in February. I don't know what it used to be, but there are some pretty nice small hotel like places, and a decent beach. I paid 500 pesos ($10) for a boat ride, which was fun, and I ate at a truly fantastic hole in the wall restaurant for about the same amount of money as mediocre fast food costs in the US.

It's still a bit downscale for my taste. I met a few of the denizens from the older days and they didn't look good.

I really liked Bacolod City, especially since I found some very nice people there who showed me around. It has a very nice, upscale feel. The Jeepneys were of a more modern design, and almost every car I saw was polished to a mirror glow. People had pride, and it really showed.

But for what you really meant, of course there are still ample supplies of that in Angeles City. The Philippines has no shortage of girls. Trust me on that :-).

I'm in search of a naughty but nice good girl (that is, non-bargirl) next time.

D

[YoungKentuckyConservative]

Hmmm, you must have been watching a different game, or you are easily swayed by idiots like John Madden. The officials reviewed all of the calls and found them legit. The only one that was questionable was the call on Hasselbeck. The Shesquawks gave up 3 big plays, Holgrem doesn't know the meaning of clock management, Hasselbeck gave up a few key INTs, etc. Go call the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAmbulance :) STEELERS SBXL CHAMPS! LEARN IT, LIVE IT, LOVE IT!

You are obviously another Steelers fan that can't see beyond the excitement of the game. There are several websites detailing the outrageous penalties called against Seattle, and the "ignored" violations for Pittsburgh. It isn't the first time the NFL has been caught "helping" the big-market team get the victory. It's all about the $$$$, like usual. There are a lot more Steelers Fans and merchandise sales as a result of their victory than there would have been for Seattle, who was clearly the more dominant team up until the point the refs took over.

And rather than just post "my feelings", here are the results of a large pool of NFL Fans from a very reputable website you may have heard of ... ESPN.com.

Did you enjoy the Super Bowl this year? (18,231 votes)
52.1% No
47.8% Yes

Do you think officiating mistakes affected the outcome of Super Bowl XL? (103,167 votes)
61.7% Yes
38.2% No

Which played the biggest role in determining the outcome of the game? (118,130 votes)
57.5% Officials missing calls
28.3% Seahawks not making plays
14.2% Steelers making plays

What grade would you give referee Bill Leavy's officiating crew for Super Bowl XL? (118,130 votes)
50.6% F
24.8% D
13.9% C
8.8% B
1.9% A

Do you think the official made the right call on Darrell Jackson's offensive pass interference in the endzone, negating a Seattle touchdown in the first quarter? (118,130 votes)
73.8% No
20.5% Yes
5.7% I'm not sure

Do you think the football broke the plane of the goal line on Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown run in the second quarter? (118,130 votes)
59.3% No
25.9% Yes
14.8% I'm not sure

Do you think the official made the right call on Sean Locklear's holding penalty in the fourth quarter, negating an 18-yard reception to the one-yard line by Jerramy Stevens? (118,130 votes)
74.3% No
15.3% Yes
10.4% I'm not sure

Here's a link to the site so you can proof it for yourself. The bottom line is Steeler Fans feel victorious because they want to. The rest of the NFL Fans know Superbowl XL was cheap and meaningless and the Steelers victory will be remembered as such for ever. If the Steelers want to be champs, they'll have to go get it fair and square.

[Doohickey]

The Internet really gives voice to these effite sissies like Robert. What's wrong in letting people enjoy themselves?

[pghkevin]

I am still laughing at this post. Since when does an "official" ESPN poll constitute a scientifically valid and truthful evaluation of a game? I could just as easily say that Seattle fans "freeped" this poll just to make the appearence that the officiating was poor.

One other bone of contention is that Pittsburgh is a large market team. That is about the last thing that they are. They are popular based on their family roots, their blue collar work ethic in the 70's through today.

The Steelers are also the BEST team in traveling. As you can see their fans are located throughout the country.

[pghkevin]

Oh, and I forgot to ask, how many times did you vote?

[mcg2000]

The only POLL (i.e. POLE) I pay attention to is my mother ;)