How, why and who the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fanbase has become

Fan History

Long before the expansion of the Steelers fan base which includes numerous states and even other countries; these neighborhoods were instrumental in setting the legacy for future fans hysteria and over the top cheering through all conditions regardless of our teams status.

A lot of “tailgates” were scattered throughout these neighborhoods in the backyards, on the patios or even in the basements of many homes. The smell of foods from all of the ethnic groups that make up Pittsburgh permeated the air on game day like it was a citywide festival. We knew in every neighborhood a smorgasbord of meals were being cooked from polish kielbasa, Kabanos, sauerkraut, barbeque this and that, fried chicken, spaghetti, to deli sandwiches and T.V. dinners.

Various “beverages of choice” were good for the pregame, during the game and especially after the game if we loss; A cold Iron City was always at the top of the list. Steeler gear either bought or made was the attire for the day and from kids to adults, the city was Black n Gold ready. To this day, a lot of the old-timers still consider gameday a holiday.

I was chopping it up with P.T. (the No.1 trash talker) just the other day and we were laughing about how we would hook up and watch my mom’s floor model color T.V. with our crew on game day. Autumn afternoons were still hot and the screen door never let in enough air to satisfy our taste. The plastic fan in the window blowing at full speed was our only solace for some semblance of air. Fat Pete sometimes would bend the corner bringing his spoils and blaze the grill (eating half of what he cooked) and we would talk trash well into the night.

There were rumors about how Mr. Rooney won the team in a card game and man o man, he must have had one heck of a hand, lol. Our crew made gameday like it was a religious experience except we were breaking five of the ten commandments.

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I can remember hanging out on the shores of the Monongahela at night before games with the crew when the Steel Mills were blowing; watching the barges carry hot molded steel beams down the river glowing like giant lightning bugs while giving off heat 50 feet away. Those beams stayed hot all the way until they were out of sight. Like our boys, the Steel Curtain, forged in steel and just as tough.

As youngsters, we got so spoiled from winning those first two Super Bowls that when the next season rolled around, we became upset that the team got off to a 1-4 start. Fans across the city were in panic mode and even though the Steelers went on a run to finish the season, every game was a point of contention.

Us fans have and will always target players or coaches as the source of our angst which is natural, but real fans don’t turn their backs or spew vitriol that becomes personal. Yeah, everyone has a microphone and can voice their opinion but it doesn’t matter if it is just microphone chatter.

Franco and Rocky got hurt during the playoffs which were disappointing so we lost to the hated Raiders, but we knew how to be fans for life following that season. The fans learn that season to “ride or die” with the team and have stayed fans throughout the years no matter what. When the Team is winning it has always been uplifting to the communities at large and the vibe in the city is fire, however, most real fans have learned to stay behind the team when the Team isn’t winning.

Fans have painted their bodies/cars/houses black and gold created amazing Black n Gold outfits and wildly designed attire, named babies after players and many other extremes as a show of their commitment to the Team. Attending games at Three Rivers Stadium was an “event” and a treat to see the games up close and in person.

Tailgating spread across the parking lots and most Steeler fans were friendly with each other while getting hyped for the game. You seldom if ever seen an overflow of opposite team jerseys in the stadium because the atmosphere was more than intimidating much like the Steeler players on the field.

Droves of fans would walk up towards the gates chanting, “Here we go Steelers, Here we go” while waving terrible towels in the air. Myron Cope had a name for every player and goes down in fandom lore as the most trusted voice to ever talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coach Cowers run to the Super Bowl as a wild card from the sixth seed position in 2006 over the Seahawks was a whirlwind season that challenged the fans expectations for the team. A good record during the season only propelled us to the playoffs and without Big Bens miracle play in Indy during the playoffs, we may have never made it. Three Rivers Stadium was our house and the memories made will never be forgotten.