Across this great nation of ours, from the smallest farming towns to sprawling mega-metropolises, you’d be hard-pressed to find a community without a contingent of black and gold fans.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are arguably one of the most beloved sports franchises in America. They may even be at the top of that list. And for those who don’t wave the terrible towel, they may not understand why. But, if you really think about it, the answer isn’t too hard to figure out.
Like the city they represent, the Steelers exhibit certain attributes. Among them are a hard-working, hard-working work ethic, an emphasis on integrity and ethics, and a willingness to be leaders among the pack.
If you know anything about Pittsburgh, you probably know that for generations it was the center of the American steel industry. The city was also a major producer of iron. These grueling industries easily house some of the most demanding occupations anywhere. But even to this day, the city is proud of the contributions these works made to our nation and the world.
Black and gold have long been known for maintaining a certain level of integrity and ethics. Unlike other football franchises, such as the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings, the organization does not tolerate criminal or unethical conduct. Just look at the top players the Steelers have traded or released instead of defending in recent years when they could have simply swept their discretion under the rug.
And of course, the franchise has always been a leader. In regards to the game itself, the Steelers were the first team to win three Super Bowls, the first to win four, and the first to win six. And now, they can be the first to win seven. The Steelers were the first No. 6 seed to win the Super Bowl by winning three games on the road before defeating the Seattle Seahawks in February 2006. And at just 23 years old, Ben Roethlisberger became the winning Super Bowl quarterback. youngest in history.
Off the field, the Rooney family, the majority owners of the Steelers, have long been revered. Members of the family have received various awards and Dan Rooney is currently even serving as the US Ambassador to Ireland. And as chairman of the NFL’s diversity committee, Dan Rooney helped establish the so-called Rooney rule in 2003. This rule guarantees equal opportunity for minority candidates for head coaching jobs. Just four years later, the organization hired Mike Tomlin, and the results have been pretty good.
Still, the Steelers are a microcosm for America. The principles of hard work and dedication that built this country through the industrial revolution are alive and well in what this team has come to represent. So it’s no surprise that you can find your neighbor in Troy Polamalu’s number 43 jersey, whether you live in his native California or the small capital city of Augusta, Maine. The fact is that America loves the Steelers.