It's certainly not indoctrination. The simple fact of life is, if you're born in proximity to Pittsburgh, you just are a Steelers fan.
That's why a hospital in Mt. Lebanon, 11 miles from the Steelers home field, is wrapping newborns up in Terrible Towels this week.
The famous yellow symbol was created in 1975 by famed radio broadcaster Myron Cope. And it's been a staple ever since, wherever the Steelers go.
St. Clair Hospital is helping their pint-sized Steeler fans get into the spirit of Pittsburgh playing in Super Bowl XLV. The hospital staff is continuing its tradition started in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLIII (2008) to wrap babies up in black and gold.
Black and gold is a birthright for babies of the "Burgh," even if you don't get wrapped up in a Terrible Towel.
“They’re born Steelers fans here in Pittsburgh,” Sharon Johnson, clinical supervisor at the hospital’s Family Birth Center told Chartiers Valley Patch.
That's just the way it is. I can't really explain it, although I've theorized there's sometime in the water. I've been a Steelers since birth, even though my parents were transplants to the Steel City and happen to root for a rival team.
Disclaimer: It doesn't appear that newborns in Wisconsin will get mini cheeseheads this week.
UPDATE Thursday, Feb. 3: They don't sell mini cheeseheads, but hospital workers in Green Bay can make them. However, I still don't think they are as cute as those tiny Steeler fans.
4 comments:
So if you turn on the Steelers is it like giving up your rights as firstborn i.e. Esau and Jacob?
Also, in Green Bay they pass down shares of the publicly owned team from generation to generation!
This is going to be a fun game. Any predictions on the score?
Oh Yeah,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UePtoxDhJSw
It's true! Born in Pittsburgh = steelers Fan. :)
My theory is it's something they pump into the air in the nursery incubators. I'm actually surprised that they haven't officially switched nursery caps from pink and blue to gold and black.
I have despised the Steelers since the Chargers beat them in the AFC Championship in 1994, and I haven't looked back since. That much longer story aside, I like this story and it makes since that anyone who either grows up or spends a significant amount of time in a successful, sports crazed town would like the hometown team. It's kind of like people in D.C. when the Redskins are good. There's nothing like rooting for a successful football team. What's different for the Steelers this year is that they're not playing an NFL Worst team in the title game. It's going to be fun...(Packers 34 Steelers 21)
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