Fear the Ultimate Playoff Beard

For someone who can barely grow a fuzz after a month of not shaving, I'm in complete awe of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Brett Keisel's beard.

It looks prehistoric.

Most know about teammate Troy Polamalu's long locks, but "The Beard" as it's called, has really come into its own in just the past few weeks. It has a Facebook page with 27,000-plus admirers and it's on Twitter too and was the talk at Super Bowl media day.

Like most athletes, Keisel explains his furry face as sort of a superstitious thing.

"I'm from Pittsburgh and we have a great hockey team and they grow their beards out," Keisel said. "In June, I was thinking that it will seven months if we make it to the Super Bowl. We are shooting for out seventh Super Bowl ring, and the Steelers were made in 1933, which is 77 years to date. I said I'd give this thing seven months and see if it will get us to Dallas, and here we are."

I really doubt the beard is unleashing some sort of super powers. However, it could be helping "The Diesel," the lineman's other nickname, channel his inner "Grizzly" Adams. Adams of course tamed massive bears, Keisel tames quarterbacks.

Win or lose, "The Beard" is going to go after Super Bowl XLV. Keisel's wife bought him a razor for Christmas (just a small hint).

So admire this ultimate playoff beard while you still can. It's pretty amazing.

In Pittsburgh, You're Born a Steelers Fan

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.