Steelers/Jets Pre-Game Festivities

I hate waiting for game time.  The AFC Championship game doesn’t start until 6:30 so all I have to do today is write this, pace around and watch the Packers/Bears game.  At least that’s a good excuse to start drinking.

The weekend began well… the Penguins won against Carolina last night, even playing without their two stars, Sidney Crosby and Geno Malkin.  In a show of support for the Steelers, Pens goalie skated out to receive his “3 Stars” designation wearing a Steeler helmet and waving a Terrible Towel.

Picture from The Pensblog

I love when the different sports support each other.  This is also a good omen because last week, the Pens won right before the Steelers went out and crushed the Ratbirds’ dreams.

In fact, there was one of those Mayor Bets for the occasion.  Today I found the YouTube video that Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was forced to make.

Be sure to stay for the “out-take,” after the brief interlude of Ratbird bullshit.

I like our mayor.  She’s doing a decent job, I think, given the severe nature of the problems that face this city.  But I am speechless when she mentions how fair-minded and civil that Baltimoreans about their football team.  In fact, I almost spit my Diet Coke all over my monitor.  But she’s a politician, so I imagine she’s required to feed into that civic delusion… at least as long as she wants to get re-elected. 

Nailing It

My friend Sitcom Kelly is going to be at the game.  I spent part of the week giving her guidance on what to do, where to go, and most importantly, how to stay warm.  (Layers, hand-warmer packets, and cardboard!)  They’re saying the game-time temps will be in the single digits.

For some reason, she wanted to get her nails done with a Steelers theme, and lo and behold, found someone in Baltimore that would do it.

Notice the strategic placement of the logo… on the perfect finger for showing it off to Jets fans.

I’m not sure it was worth the effort though.  Might have been more practical to paint the logos on the outsides of a pair of gloves.  Come to think of it, I probably shouldn’t expect many texts from Kelly tonight.  Might not be the best time to have your fingers out, tapping on tiny little keys.

Coping Skills

As I mentioned in my last post, today is former Steelers announcer, the late Myron Cope’s birthday.

Photo courtesy of Dan Gigler and the PG’s Blog n Gold.

Last year, I did a post dedicated to our beloved Myron, (which has been drawing a bajillion hits this week), explaining the strange attraction between a city and the most unlikely radio voice or TV face ever.  It certainly wouldn’t be beyond the pale to suggest that maybe ol’ Myron can keep an eye over his boys tonight, and maybe, if necessary, nudge a football a foot or so off line.

Myron is best known as the inventor of the Terrible Towel.  You can’t underestimate the lengths to which Pittsburgh has adopted this symbol, but the pictures below demonstrate it perfectly.

Pittsburghers are literally born into the Steeler Nation.  Photos are from an email my dad sent me.

If you’ve never heard Myron do a game, listen to this video clip I put together for my Myron post.  They don’t make media guys like this any more.

So we have the Jets tonight and I’m basically pretty happy about that.  The Steelers get the game at home rather than having to go to New England, which is a big help, for no other reason than crowd noise.  And it’s going to be so cold; I’m hoping it will really affect the Jets’ California boy quarterback, Sanchez. 

The only down side to not playing the Patriots is that I was happily anticipating using this clip of one of my favorite football songs.  Produced by Pittsburgh’s Randy Bauman of WDVE, it’s a simple tune called “Tom Brady’s a C*nt.”  It’s from 2004 or 2005, so it’s a bit dated, although no less valid in general sentiment.  

The Mojo Boogie

No surprises, I’m going with exactly what I wore for the last game: black Polamalu jersey, cream-colored Steelers ¾ sleeve V-neck, Stillers T-shirt, Steelers socks and AC/DC flannel pants.

And now, all I can do is wait.  All things will be clear in the morning.  Either our season will be over, or we’re going to the Super Bowl. 

Here we go!