On Steeler Turf

Pepped up at a Super Bowl pep rally

As the Steelers came running out onto the field, I was there, too, as a reporter covering a city-wide pep rally for the Super Bowl-bound Pittsburgh Steelers. It was awesome, being only a few feet away from some of the best football players in the country.

Just standing on the field was fun in itself. As I looked at the players and the fans, I almost felt as if I was a Steeler myself, having just won the AFC championship game on this very turf.

The excitement of the moment, the thought of the Super Bowl, was almost overwhelming. How could anyone not be excited?

The Steelers aren't the only winning team in Pittsburgh, which is known as the City of Champions. It was named so in 1979 because the baseball team, the Pirates, won the World Series and the Steelers won Super Bowl XIII in the same year.

“The Steelers are special because they have a great history and tradition,” Dan Rooney told me. Rooney is the past-owner and chairman of the Steelers. He is now the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. “They come from a great city—Pittsburgh—and they are just a great football team.”

Fan Teecee Furiga (her face painted in Steelers colors) sumed up her vision of the team for me.

“They are a strong and willing team,” she said. “And experience will set them apart.”

So, what are the odds of the Cheeseheads beating the Terrible Towels on Sunday? In the opinion of the 18,000 fans who brazed snow and icy cold winds to cheer on their team: Zero!

Tune in Sunday to watch them go helmet-to-helmet—or should I say Terrible Towel to Cheesehead?

—Kelcey Flowers

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Kelcey Flowers talks to Dan Rooney, former owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers and current US. Ambassador to Ireland, at the Steelers' pep rally on Friday. (Photo Courtesy Kelcey Flowers)

Comments

[KR; Miranda]

Peppiness! I love it.

[Kid Reporter Molly P]

Go Steelers! Nice article Kelcey! I will be cheering for them.

[Artur]

This a very cool experience. You are very lucky that you got go on the field, see the former owner, and see some pro football players up close. Nice story!