Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 20 moments in franchise history

#1. The Chief and The Art of the Deal.

This Top Moment as the Greatest in Steelers History is brought to you by… rumors, or as we say, “I heard it through the Grapevine.” Talk around town in the early days centered around how owner Mr. Art Rooney came to own the team.

Now StrapUp is not one for gossiping, but I heard from my cousin’s friends uncle who worked for this man who knew this lady that was dating the owner of the local pool hall and she said he said there was a high stakes poker game one night. They were all gathered in the backroom in the wee hours of the night and things were starting to wind down.

She said he said, the room was full of cigar smoke with Mr. Rooney puffing on a stogie as big as a hoagie. Not a sound could be heard as everybody was studying them cards very closely. She said he said, the only sound you could hear came from the back alley where a bum and a cat was fighting for leftovers.

Suddenly, she said he said, the man to Mr. Rooney’s left went “all in”, pushing his money to the center of the table. Then the next man to him did the same thing followed by the third man. Now the fourth man didn’t have as much money to cover the pot, so he put up the papers of the Steelers team that he owned. She said he said, he was looking through the crack of the door waiting to see what Mr. Rooney was going to do.

Well, he called the bet and everybody asked for cards. Two, two, three, two and Mr. Rooney only asked for one! Turn up one of the gravel voice men said and they went around the table to show hands. Meanwhile, Mr. Rooney was slowly shuffling his cards in his hands watching what the other players were putting down. A diamond flush, jack high, Three Queens, Three Aces, a king high straight. All eyes were on Mr. Rooney as he was slowly still shuffling his cards. Turn up Art, the gravel voice man yelled. He plucked one at a time, Five of Clubs, Ten of hearts, Five of Spades,Ten of Spades. Last card…Five of diamonds! Full House, game over Mr. Rooney had won himself a bunch of money…and a football team. As Rumor had it!

The “Top 20 Greatest Moments in Steelers History” as we see it and we hoped you enjoyed our fodder. Until next time, StrapUp will continue to keep talking everything Black n’ Gold. BDos says, “see you when they free you.” Peace.