Becoming a Pittsburgher

by Amber Fontenot

I have lived in Pittsburgh for 8 years now but I just recently became a fan of the Steelers. I understand enough about football to watch a game, but there is still so much I don’t know. It seems that everyone around here just knows football and I have to catch up. So, I went to the official website of the Steelers and read the history.

Things I learned from the Steelers history:

1. Art Rooney had five sons. I guess Dan was just lucky to be the oldest and get the team.

2. Art named a son Art, and Dan named a son Art. I bet one of Dan’s kids named one a child Art.

3. I should know what the “Immaculate Reception” is, but I don’t, and it is not explained.

4. It talks about divisions and division titles, AFC central titles, AFC central lead, wild card playoff berth. I need a football dictionary.

5. The original name was the Pittsburgh Pirates. All of you may have known this, but it was news to me.

6. They were once the Steagles when they merged with the Eagles. Again, all of you lifetime fans probably already knew this.

7. They played at Forbes field. I only know what Forbes field is because I went to Pitt. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t even know that much.

8. There was a player was called “Mean” Joe Greene. Again, something I should know, but I don’t, and again it is not explained.

9. Ernie Stautner’s number 70 jersey was retired. The only one in Steeler history. Should I know why? Does everyone else know why? Are there just standard reasons for retiring a number?

10. I don’t know what the positions mean, like a safety. So it doesn’t mean anything to me when they give me the name of a player and his position. Unless he is the quarterback, because I do know what that player does.

So, what does this mean? It is going to be difficult for me to love and understand the Steelers as easily as most everyone else I know does. But, if I learn about football, and watch the games regularly, the history should mean more to me and I just might enjoy watching football once I understand what is going on.

I really look forward to learning this season about the game and the players. It is going to be quite an adventure for someone who didn’t know what training camp was or the pre-season until a few weeks ago.