The Pittsburgh Steelers

         There are thirty-two NFL teams in the US, and no one takes their team as seriously as the Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Heinz Field's atmosphere is incredible. My mom and dad were always big steelers fans so growing up that was the team we always watched. I remember seeing the crowd on TV wave their Terrible Towels, the stadium playing the famous Renegade song, and talking about sold-out home games. 

I can say the Steelers were a lot better then than they are now but through good times and bad, I'll always cheer for my Steelers. 

Fans Waving Terrible Towels (Figure 1)

    The Pittsburgh Steelers fans are known for always waving their Terrible Towels (see figure 1). I remember my parents telling me when they got home from a game, it was like a sea of black and gold. Nothing else. Myron Cope created the Terrible Towel to "excite the team's fans during a 1975 playoff football game against the Baltimore Colts. Cope urged fans to take a yellow dish towel to the game and wave them throughout" (The Terrible Towel Legend, (n.n)). (n.d.)). Along with waving the towels during the game, whenever there's a field goal, fans hold their towel, twisted up horizontally with both hands, in hopes of making the field goal. I thought that was a neat way to get the fans and players pumped up. In October, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans honor Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing pink and waving around pink Terrible Towels (see figure 2) (3). All the money that Pittsburgh makes from selling the Terrible Towel goes to the college. About $2.5 million was made (4).

Fans Waving Pink Terrible Towel (figure 2)

 That's a great way to earn money for school. In October, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans honor Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing pink and waving around pink Terrible Towels (see figure 2) (3). The Terrible Towel has become one of the most unmistakable items in professional football and I am always proud to twirl my towel. 

  Steelers' fanbase is so big that they have sold out every home game since 1972 (2). I can say my parents and I have been a part of those sold-out games. When I asked my dad about Steelers fans, he mentioned that a lady he worked with has been on a waitlist for season tickets for twenty years! He said just a couple months ago she got an email saying her season tickets were ready. In all honesty, I thought he was going to tell me they never came.  I can't even imagine waiting twenty years for season tickets to go see my favorite football team. I guess if you are a true fan you'll wait as long as it takes to get those tickets. 

    Heinz field is the place to be if you're looking for a hype (but also respectful) football game. When I went there, everyone was so nice. It was very crowded but everyone understood the circumstances and just dealt with it. We made a great time out of it. When we finally got to our seats, and the players were warming up, a song called Renegade, by an American rock band was playing. This is a tradition they do at Heinz field and "began in 2002 when the team was behind in a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns" (1). I didn't get a chance to record the fans' atmosphere, but I found a video on youtube, Renegade Video. You could tell the players love when they do this and when they see their fans waving the Terrible Towels. 

Fan going crazy at a game

    When going to a Pittsburgh Steelers football game, it truly is an unforgettable experience. The way the fans just adore the players and how rowdy they get before, during, and after the game. The best part is watching the fans wave their terrible towels, hearing the traditional song 'Renegade' play, and just being a part of a sold-out home game. My suggestion for you is to eventually go to a Pittsburgh Steelers game and experience the fans, you won't regret it. 

References

(1) Heitritter, J. (2022, June 22). Steelers Embrace Atmosphere Of Playing At Heinz Field: “There’s Not Too Many Moments Like That In Sports.” Steelers Depot. https://steelersdepot.com/2022/06/steelers-embrace-atmosphere-of-playing-at-heinz-field-theres-not-too-many-moments-like-that-in-sports/#:~:text=The%20tradition%20of%20playing%20Renegade

(2) Perrotto, J. (n.d.). Pittsburgh Steelers Fans Get What They Want In Kenny Pickett. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnperrotto/2022/10/03/pittsburgh-steelers-fans-get-what-they-want-in-kenny-pickett/?sh=14e6315552e9

(3) Terrible Towel | Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com. (n.d.). Www.steelers.com. https://www.steelers.com/history/terrible-towel/

(4) The Terrible Towel Legend. (n.d.). Visit Pittsburgh. https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/pittsburgh-sports-teams/terrible-towel/#:~:text=The%20Terrible%20Towel%20was%20created