When the Cowboys first came into existence, and then became relevant they were titled “America’s Team.” They received that title because of being on TV so much, and they had such a following all over the country. But now a days you ask the question of who America’s team is, you might get a different answer. A lot of people now believe that America’s new team is the one and only Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have been a popular team since the 70’s when they won most of their Super Bowls. Since then, their popularity has only grown and branched out. Their fans are not your normal fans, they are fanatics that eat, sleep, and live Pittsburgh Steeler football. Ever since the steel mills closed down and those people who worked there had to find new jobs, it seems like the Steeler’s fans have been a growing breed. I bet if you go to any big city in the United States, there is a Steeler bar there for local fans to gather with people who have the same interest as them. I know for a fact that if you head down south to any one of the beaches there are Steeler bars where you can watch the games with fellow members. And by members I mean members of Steeler Nation.
Being a fan of the Steelers has become so popular and such a big deal that they have created a Nation of those fans. When the Steelers travel to an opponent’s stadium you’ll know. If you’re at the game you will be able to see all the black and yellow jerseys flowing into the stadium, or once you are in the stadium you will see those beautiful Terrible Towels waving around. Even if you are at home watching the games, the announcers will notify you that there are plenty of Steeler fans at the game, and you’ll be able to hear it when they scream “HEEEEEEEEEEATH” when Heath Miller catches a pass, or just by the loud cheers when the team does something good.
The players on the team know how good they have it. Steelers players always give credit to the fans when they are asked about it after or before games; calling them the best fans in the world and even going as far as to give them credit for being such a rowdy group and effecting the other team. By going nuts at those games and being as loud as possible can lead to penalties or makes the team use a timeout that they might need later. A connection like that between player and fan is the ultimate form of appreciation. When a player says something about the fans it makes us normal people feel like we had a part in the them winning.
With the Steelers being the team with the most Super Bowls in NFL history, it means they are accustomed to winning. That also means that their fans have a lot to cheer about. That type of winning doesn’t come without repercussions though. Steelers know that they go into every year expected to win that Lombardi trophy, and anything less would be unacceptable. That is just the burden that comes along with being the main focus of Steeler Nation, and being “America’s Team.”
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