A Free Spirit's Bucket List: February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part VI: May The Lombardi Be With You

"That's what they say when you're the champs. Everybody will try to beat you. Well I'm glad we're the champs. So bring 'em on. Bring 'em all on. If we die, we ain't gonna die running. It's gonna be a fight." - Mean Joe Greene

Becky and I make a left turn at the Red Zone to Mecca....aka the Great Hall. I am consumed with anticipation. I really do hope the Lombardis are on display. I had seen many pictures of them on the internet but I was not sure what the protocol was for the "Hope Diamond" of football trophies. Do they only show them on actual stadium tours? Are the under lock in key in the Rooney office? Are they in the locker room? Can I break into the locker room if need be?

As all of these thoughts are swimming through my head while we walk towards the entrance of the Great Hall, I find I have stopped dead in my tracks. My heart is racing. Before me are larger than life photos of some of the greatest men to ever play my beloved sport of football. I think to myself, Chrissy, you are about to enter the Camelot of the NFL. The Knights of the Round table are leading the way. You are Guinevere. Their queen has finally arrived home.

Camelot, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Okay, yea, it's a stretch, I know this. But...in addition to my utter fascination with all that is King Arthur, I have always wanted to be Guinevere, minus the whole Lancelot thing. And not the helpless Guinevere that is often depicted in the works of Camleot, but the lesser known but also written portrayal of a tough, independent, spirited, beautiful Guinevere who was utterly in love with and absolutely adored her king, her husband, Arthur. (I have read almost every King Arthur Tale ever written and Guinevere has been written as both a weak creature and a fierce spirit. I am in awe of the fierce spirit woman, Fire woman!)

Anyways, I am digressing again. I do that obviously. Let's get back to the heart racing as Becky and I enter Camelot. To say there is so much to see underneath the bleachers would not be a lie, and I will get to that in part VII. Right now the topic is Lomdardis..... and Lombardis there were.

We were not even in the Great Hall for 5 seconds when I spotted my first Lombardi. It was like a beacon of a dolphin using sonar to communicate with me that it was within range. I spotted that puppy immediately. This time I did start to cry.

"And I break right at the bend. We're here and now but will we ever be again. Cause I have found all that shimmers in this world is sure to fade....away...again."

This can't be real I tell myself. Becky, as always is so observant and lets me have my moment while we walk slowly but quickly over to the first of 6 Lombardis on display.

Super Bowl XLIII
Steelers Vs. The Cardinals
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida

Super Bowl XLIII Lombardi Case

Ranked as the #1 Superbowl of all time by many sportscasters and sports channels. I have to agree. I watched this one with friends. Let's just say, I had to walk out of my friend Dave's living room every five seconds only to come back into the room every five seconds. My nerves were on Defcon 5 with this one. What a game!

I chain smoked. I drank....a lot. I needed sympathy oxygen when James Harrison ran his record breaking interception back for a TD. 100 yards!! That record has since been broken by Jacoby Jones but I will never forget watching Silverback outrun Larry Fitzgerald, one of the leagues fastest and most talented wide receivers ever to play the game. #92 for the TD!!

However...Arizona came to play. In addition to Fitzgerald, the Cardinals had Kurt Warner, a very talented Superbowl winning QB (St. Louis Rams) in his own right. They also had one other key ingredient, and probably the most dangerous.....head coach Ken Whisenhunt, former offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers turned head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Losing Whisenhunt hurt. It hurt bad. And was it not complete fate, and nothing but, that his first experience in the Superbowl as a head coach would be against his former beloved, the men of Steel?? Whisenhunt knew the Steelers. The Steelers knew Whisenhunt. It was karma.

Whisenthunt and his birds gave the Steelers a run for their money but the small ipso facto we all seem to forget, well all except me and Steeler Nation, is that the Steelers are known bird slayers. Yes, if you have a bird as your mascot, chances are, when it counts, the Steelers are gonna lay the smack down on your team. Once in awhile a bird team gets lucky, but not very often. Ask Seattle. Wait...we will get to that one. Trust me.

Watching Santonio Holmes pirouette on ballerina toes to stay in bounds in the end zone for the game winning TD that his gunslinger, renegade QB hurled at him was the stuff Superbowls are made of. I remember holding my breath during the whole review. I may have passed out. Not sure. I know I drank and screamed and stomped on the floor when they declared it an official Touchdown!

I have watched that play over and over again in slow motion. Holy Shit!!! Steelers 27 - Arizona 23!

I gaze at the Lombardi, in a trance. I recall the post game Super Bowl celebration. Hines and Heath touched this trophy. NFL Defensive Player of the Year Troy Polamalu touched this trophy. The James' (Harrison and Farrior), Brett, Casey, Lawrence, Ryan and Lamar touched this trophy. I want to touch it. I want to hold it. I want to kiss it. Yea, that's not gonna happen. I settle for touching the glass and adding my fingerprints to the slew of other fingerprints already scattered about the glass case.

Me and Lombardi XLIII

I am in heaven, gently touching the glass while whispering sweet nothings to the Lombardi. Yep, there is something really wrong with me. Do I care? No. I am beaming from ear to ear. My sense of elation and exhilaration are through the roof. I am in one of my heavens. And...If heaven had a football team it would be the Pittsburgh Steelers. All is right with my world at this moment.

I walk around the glass case. There is game memorabilia also encased with the Lombardi. I take it all in. Every last detail. Becky was right, coming here early was the best idea. Yes, there were lots of people here, but it was not yet at a point where there were large lines and huge crowds gathered around all the many displays. It was comfortable. I was not only able to get close to everything, but I was also able to take a few moments to really absorb and entertain the wonderment of these beautiful trophy displays.

Super Bowl XLIII Lombardi Case

As I turn and slowly walk away from the Superbowl XLIII Lombardi, I notice that the Superbowl XL Lombardi is directly in front of me. Ahhhh....the controversial one. I walk over to the Lombardi, smiling, and laughing to myself. There are people taking their picture in front of it. As I wait my turn to be near it, I think of Ben Rothelisburger on the Dave Letterman show after the Super Bowl. He was smiling sheepishly as he admitted that he went up to Coach Cowher after he ran in that TD and said "Coach, I don't think that was in but the Referees do."

Super Bowl XL
Steelers vs. The Seahawks
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan

Super Bowl XL Lombardi Case

As I gaze upon this "Controversial" Lombardi and the memorabilia on display allow me to defend my team on this one. Yes, I disagree with the referees that Ben scored that TD. I also believe that the call on Hassleback for illegally blocking Ike Taylor was a "tough" call. However, bottom line, regardless of the calls, the Steelers were the better team in this Super Bowl. Unlike the Seattle team of today, the Seattle team that played in Super Bowl XL was outplayed and out of their league. Blown calls or not, the Steelers were going to win that game. End of story!

Now that I got that off my chest, let's talk about the Swan Song of Super Bowl XL. That Swan is actually a Bus. And that Bus is actually Detroit native Jerome Bettis, alumni of the Fighting Irish! Jerome is no doubt one of the best running backs to ever play the game. He is #6 all time rusher. He is among the elite, as he should be, because he too is elite. And this elite man, just like all elite men, was nearing the end of his career.

Running Backs in the NFL have one of the shortest career spans of any position. They take enormous beatings. They get tremendous injuries. They are game changers at the 1 yard line. (Well, unless you are Marshawn Lynch and your coach is Pete Carroll.) They are the true warriors of the offensive line. Jerome was one of the fiercest warriors. He was downright breathtaking to watch. Seriously, you would literally gasp and hold your breath watching this guy rush the ball while 5-7 hulking defensive linemen clung to him like screaming children, trying to bring him down. It was fantastic football.

But all good things come to an end eventually. Willie Parker had become the starting running back the year the Steelers went to Superbowl XL. Jerome was battle torn and scarred but he hung in there, like true warriors do. He definitely contributed to the Steelers winning season with key plays and more importantly, his zealous spirit and larger than life personality. There was no doubt his teammates genuinely adored this charitable, kind hearted, beast of a man. You could see it in their faces. You can feel it in their smiles.

I think he hung in there because he was still hoping for one last shot at a Championship Ring with the team he loved so much. A championship ring was something that eluded the best Running Back ever, Mr. Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions. That had to be in the back of Jerome's mind. Not to worry though. Fate had something special in the works. This kind, giving man had good karma come back to him ten fold. That Sunday night, in his hometown of Detroit, Jerome Bettis and The Pittsburgh Steelers won their fifth championship. The Bus got his ring with his beloved coaches and teammates. Not too long after, he announced his retirement from the game. The culmination of an amazing career had come full circle.

Jerome Bettis' Swan Song!

You will always be my favorite Pittsburgh Steeler ever Mr. Bettis! Proud you played for my team!

I walked away from Lombardi XL a little misty eyed. What a great story! What a great man. What a great team. That's when I saw it. I felt chills come over me for real. I was about to take a stroll through a Dynasty of years gone by. A football dynasty that to this day, still has not been replicated. Yes, some teams have come close. Joe Montana and The San Francisco 49ers Dynasty of the 80's, Troy Aikman, Jimmie Johnson and the Cowboys Dynasty of the 90's, and Tom, Bill and the Patriots of the new century all hold their own among the epic legends of football team dynasties. But..... the Steel Curtain of the 70's, The Noll Era, The Stalwart and Swan tandem, the Terry Brasdshaw gunslinger days, will always be the closest to perfection a team could ever be.

A walk amongst the mythical giants.....

Super Bowl XIV
Steelers vs. Rams
Rose Bowl Stadium
Pasadena, California

Super Bowl XIV Lombardi Case

Super Bowl XIII
Steelers vs. Cowboys
Miami Orange Bowl
Miami, Florida

Super Bowl XIII Lombardi Case

Super Bowl X
Steelers vs. Cowboys
Miami Orange Bowl
Miami, Florida

Super Bowl X Lombardi Case

Super Bowl X Lombardi Case, My X pictures didn't come out as good. :(

I was too young to remember these Super Bowls. I was too young to witness this Dynasty first hand. Everything I know about the Steel Curtain of the 70's comes from highlights, documentaries, football articles, conversations with my father and sports channels. I do vaguely remember XIII and XIV on our TV as a kid because my dad watches football, but do not recall enough to write about them.

Yes I have seen all four of these Super Bowls, but not until much later in life. I had the VHS collection of all 4 Super Bowls. Unfortunately I lent them out many moons ago and haven't seen them since. (Not that it matters now, they are kind of obsolete.) I knew the outcomes before I saw the games so it was not as nail biting for me to watch, well I shouldn't say that, but I knew who was going to win these games. LOL! I will also admit that I do not have the same kind of bond with the Steelers of the 70's as I do with the players I have been watching consistently since high school.

That is not to say I love them any less. I love them all, especially Jack Lambert. I watch highlights of him all the time. But to me, the Steelers of the 70's are genuinely legends. They are almost mythical. It is like they are not real because I did not spend my Sundays with them like I have with the Steelers of the last 25 years. It's weird, I know, but to write about them without my genuine, firsthand perspective just wouldn't seem right to me. I would feel like a fraud or a poser.

All I can say is, I recall enough about them that they stuck in my head and became my team before I really even knew much about football. I remember the Steelers and Dallas. I am so glad I gravitated towards my beloved Black and Gold. LOL! See, I was a smart child, even then! (Just busting all you Dallas fans. I loved Tom Landry.) My dad also had the can of Iron City with the 1978 World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers stashed in the attic, where I often played as a child. City of Champions baby!!!

I studied the players on that can with such intense curiosity that as I got older, and more aware of football, my interest in getting to know all I possibly could about this team and these guys became huge. I use my discovery of this can of beer in my dad's attic as the benchmark as to when I became a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Anyways, I walk through and take in the legendary Lombardis and memorabilia with such intense fascination of a time in which I was alive, but so very young. Then I happen upon the one that began it all. The beginning of the Dynasty. Lombardi #1 aka IX.

Super Bowl IX
Steelers vs. The Vikings
Tulane Stadium
New Orleans, Louisiana

Super Bowl IX Lombardi Case

Bradshaw vs. Tarkenton (aka one of my dad's most favorite football players of all time.)
Two future hall of famers leading their teams in the quarterback position.

Ironic that TE Larry Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a TD for this Superbowl then 20 years later, Larry Brown of the Dallas Cowboys picked off two of Neil O'Donnell's (of the Pittsburgh Steelers ) passes. For the first time in the Steelers frnchise history, Art Rooney was watching his team play in a championship game. Who knew that this very team would become the dominant force of the 1970's NFL under the toolage of Hall of Fame coach Mr. Chuck Noll.

It was Mr. Noll's toolage and intelligence, along with the Rooney's trust in him, that built what would become the greatest Dynasty in football. In 1974 Chuck Noll managed to draft not only Iron Mike Webster and the tough as nails Jack Lambert, he also acquired the dream receiving team of Stalworth and Swann. Talk about a historical draft to add to an already incredible team. The recipe for the prefect team was now complete. To this day, no other football team in NFL history has drafted such talent in one NFL draft.

The football gods had smiled upon the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was their time. It was their decade. It was the the beginning of a momentous football experience for a hard working blue collar steel town as well as blue collar fans across the nation. And it all came to fruition in Superbowl IX against Tarkenton and the Vikings.

The game was low scoring. The defenses practically impenetrable. The first quarter of the game was scoreless. Neither team could rush nor pass the ball successfully. It was one of the most evenly matched Super Bowls in history. A Safety was the only score of the 2nd quarter. Yes...a safety. At the half the Steelers lead 2-0, a record still in the Super Bowl books as the lowest scoring first half of a Super Bowl.

The second half did have a Viking touchdown, but no extra point, They were held to one score for the entire game by the Steelers Defense. A Tarkenton interception in the last 3 minutes sealed the Steelers fate. They would win their first Super Bowl championship in the NFL. And this is how it all began peeps!

I got teary eyed again standing by the IX Lombardi. I was 1 1/2 years old when the Steelers won their first championship. I didn't even have a clue what football was then. All I cared about was my Weebles Tree House, my Weebles Yacht and my stuffed dog Joshua.

Becks and I take a photo in front of #1. I touch the glass. I touched all the glass. I tell Becky I would gladly work for Heinz Field as the Lombardi glass case cleaner. Give me some windex and some paper towels....best job ever! If they wanted to, they could even open the cases and let me dust the Lombardis. I would so much be glad to do so!

Becks and I in front of #1.

I was so happy that I got to see the Holy Grail of football trophies in person. It was surreal yet, totally real. Yes, I saw not 1, but 6 Lombardis that day. 6!! One day there will be 7. I just know it! And I will go back and see that one to! But for now....there is so much more to see and do under the bleachers. I am craving a cold beer, which only happens when I am really hot and dehydrated. Time to grab a cold one!!

Chrissy

Sunday, February 15, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part V: The Mothership

"We're a road team. We're the Pittsburgh Steelers. We have fans everywhere." - Troy Polamalu

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....liftoff. You are now entering the mothership.

Me at the mothership!

We meet a very nice security guard. He scans the tickets I printed from the internet. Note to self: Look on the ground for discarded real tickets to add to your memory box.

I am holding my breath and clenching my jaw. As soon as I realize I am doing this, I let out this huge exhale and feel a cold sweat rush over me. Becky is in front of me. She turns to me and smiles. I let out a shaky breath and smile. My eyes are darting everywhere. I can't focus. OMG I can't breath. I wish I was just exaggerating for good story telling but I seriously can't breath. I pray to god I don't pass out as the pit in my stomach gets heavier. Please god don't let me pass out and be taken by ambulance to some Pittsburgh hospital before I even step foot in this stadium. "Stop being a candy ass!" I tell myself.

I feel the tears welling up as I walk into the stadium. I blink them back. The smile on my face is so immense it is starting to hurt my cheeks. A young kid hands me a program book. I slowly take it from him while smiling and nodding. I am not in my body. All I see is smoke. OMG...I am in a haze. Is this what Jimi Hendrix was talking about? I look ahead of me. They are smoking ribs on a grill, hence the smoke. Seems legit....I guess. I prefer my Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze theory better to be honest.

Wait....is that the field right there?? The field is right there! Like right....there! Wow! So much was not expecting that. Wicked cool!!

That's the field! Right there!!

See...the field!

There are only a few rows of seats behind the end zone. You could literally stand here by the fence for the whole game and have one of the best views in the house. This is insane! I turn my head. I hear noises but they are clouded. I feel like my ears are buzzing and blocked all at the same time. My eyes are still darting around. There is soooooo much yellow. It is everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE. I see players less than 50 feet from me on the field practicing....because the field is RIGHT THERE!! My stomach starts growling but I am so not hungry. I am excited to the point of hysteria. That must be why my stomach is growling. Hope I don't hit the concrete and bleed all over Heinz Field. That would suck!

I look in my hands. I have scratch off lottery tickets in them. How did they get here? When did this happen? I look up again. Yep...everything is still yellow. OMG the sun is so hot. I am sweating. I am hysterical. My face hurts from smiling. I don't know where to place my focus. Becky leads me over to this table to scratch our lottery tickets. I am trying to keep it together, pull myself back into my body but my eyes are spinning around in my head like a kaleidoscope. I lean against the table and scratch off tickets feverishly.

Heinz Field Scoreboard

I am holding a conversation with Becky. I am laughing. Everything is yellow. Becky wins a coffee. Or did I win it? I have no idea. One of us won something on the scratch off. I smell smoke. I see smoke. I see players. Hello Chrissy? We went over this already. Becky tells me to stand by something. I walk over to where she is pointing. She takes a picture. I look at my camera to see what pic she has just taken. It is me standing in front of the Heinz Field sign, pictured above.

This is ground control to Major Tom. Strap yourself in cuz this girl is about to crash back into reality in 3.....2.....1. ...There she is! Houston....She is back with us. All systems go! I am back in my body. I no longer feel hysteria, just excitement. My eyes are starting to focus. I am here. I am in Heinz Field. I am where Bane blew up the field in The Dark Knight Rises. If he tries to do it again, he will have to deal with ME! Don't know why that comes into my head but let's go with it! I turn my head. The Red Zone? Are you kidding me? One of my favorite bars from back home is here....but not really.

I have to get a picture by it. Why wouldn't I? It's a conversation piece.

The Redzone? Say What?

I edge my way through the crowd gathered by the fence to get a better look at the players. I am short so I can weasel my way through crowds and sometimes even security with ease. I occasionally take an elbow to the head unintentionally and I do have this huge fear of being trampled, but that goes with the territory. Everything has it's pros and cons right? Besides, my adrenaline is on overdrive! I probably wouldn't feel any pain right now.

I get to the front of the fence, camera in hand, snapping pictures but....I do not recognize any of the players. OMG I am not a real fan! I don't have a clue who these guys are. Seriously? Wow you really do suck I tell myself. I decide to blame the hysteria and my momentary lapse of reasoning. I start going through the player depth chart in my head. I do not know every single player on the Steelers for 2014-15 yet. I can name about 48 of them though. Let's go through them.

I am pretty sure that is Will Allen (center). Is Kelvin Beachum on the left? Daniel McCullers? Cam Thomas? Is that Antonio Brown in the back? I have no idea what Lance Moore looks like but I know it is definitely not Marcus Wheaton. There may be a few practice squad players out there too because the dude throwing the football is neither Ben, Bruce or Landry. I know it's not Troy out there. LOL! In my defense, if these guys were wearing their helmets, I would probably be able to recognize them. Weird but true. Partial face recognition is a real thing....I think. Has to be.

Some players without helmets?

Almost positive ID for Will Allen in the middle.

I'm not sure who this is. Just kidding!! LOLOLOL!!

The one other thing I am really floored about is....how much smaller the stadium is in person than it seems on TV. On TV the field seems so gigantic and stretches for miles and miles and miles. They say being on TV adds 10 pounds to people. Guess it also adds five miles to NFL stadiums. Crazy! However, Becky and I were at Beaver Stadium the day before. That stadium is huge! 110,000 fans were there. Heinz Field is teeny compared to Beaver Stadium. Becky had told me this, most NFL stadiums average about 64- 65,000 fans, much smaller than college stadiums, but seeing it with my own eyes really put it in perspective. I think it is great. Not a bad seat in the house really.

Speaking of seats, let me take a gander at where we will be............
"Oh fuuuuuuuuuddddddddggggggggeeee!!"

We all know I swear like a sailor so "Fudge" wasn't the F word I muttered. It was the F.U.C.K. word I muttered, really loud. Now mind you, I did not care how high up the stadium my seats were, but, it is very sunny, cloudless day. It is also already 80 degrees....and it is only 11 AM. Yes, my wish for a gorgeous day came true. I can't argue that. However, we are sitting in the one part of the stadium that has zero, and I mean ZERO.... protection from the elements. I glance in my clear plastic Steelers bag and drop the F Bomb again. I forgot my sunblock stick. It's sitting on the nightstand by my bed.

Fabulous!

Becky and I are gonna be red hot messes by 4 PM. I point our seats out to Becky while informing her I forgot the sunblock. Becky said she didn't care. It was all good. Awesome! I don't care either because we are at a freakin' Steelers game dammit! Who cares if my face turns a nice shade of purplish red. It's not like I will be walking on the docks of Maine after the game where I might have melted butter thrown over my head because I was mistaken for a deliciously boiled, crustacean sea creature. I figure as long as I don't look like a fried egg, cole slaw, or any other weird sandwich topping that Pittsburghians like to eat, I should be pretty safe here.

Sunburn City Baby! Section 526

Now that the seating anxiety is over for now, Becky asks me if I am ready to go hunt for some Lombardi's.

Absolutely baby!!

We are about to enter the Hall of Greatness!

Great Hall Heinz Field

Chrissy

Always A Steelers Girl

Monday, February 9, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part IV: 3 Rivers Run Through It

"When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge." - Terry Bradshaw

Where the 3 Rivers meet, so shall we.
"Time....flies....by. They all sing along. Come a little closer then you'll see. Come on! Come on! Come on!"

Nature Girls

The morning is still young. So much yet to see, do and experience, but us nature loving gals also want to rest for a moment to admire and bask along the stunning and breathtaking waters of the 3 rivers that meet in Pittsburgh. Those rivers being the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio. Both Becky and I love being by the water. There is something so serene and healing about being near a body of water for me. And I must say, Pittsburgh's riverfront is absolutely beautiful. You can tell it is a pride point of this big city that has a small town feel. I love that about the 'Burgh! They keep it very clean too, unlike Baltimore's harbor. (Ravens jab. LOL)

Where the 3 rivers meet.

The Allegheny, The Ohio, The Monongahela

As Becky and I chat and people watch and soak in the vitamin D the sun is very abundantly providing , I realize I am starting to sweat in my jersey a little. I am glad I decided to leave my hoodie at the hotel. We remain along the river for a good twenty minutes enjoying the calm before the perfect storm....which would be me, in Heinz Field. Finally Becky looks at me and says "Are you ready kid?"

We walk towards the entrance of Heinz Field. I am so glad Becky is with me because my head is so far in the clouds that she guides me to so many fun opportunities I would have missed being dazed and confused. For instance, she points out that for $5 I can get a nifty clear plastic Steelers purse to replace my ugly, crumpled ziploc bag. If I want to spend an extra $3, I can get a book about the Steelers included with my purse. Well of course I want the book. $8? What a bargain! Sold....to me!

As I dump all my necessities including hand sanitizer, tissues, lipstick, my wallet and the tickets into my new Steelers bag, Becky points to a perfect photo opportunity. There is a giant Steelers balloon man standing in the grass by the entrance to Heinz Field. We walk over and wait patiently as a man takes a picture of his woman. We offer to take a pic of the both of them. They return the favor and take a pic of both of us.

Me and the Big Boy #00

Becky and Me!

I am so glad we came early. It was crowded but roomy right now. There weren't any really long waits for anything. Becky warned that by noon, this place would be a zoo. Boy, she was not kidding, but for now, we were able to enjoy and take in all that is the greatness of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I tell her I can't wait to see the Lombardi's. I tell her I hope they have them on display. She laughs. She then points me to a "You are here" sign for another photo opportunity. I almost burst into tears again. She is making this so wonderful for me. She really knows me, knows what is important to me, and directs me to everything patiently.

Look at me! I am here.....

Now I'm here!

We walk along the fence that will eventually lead to the opening into Heinz Field. I stop and buy decals to wear on my face for the game. I forget to wear them. I am still in awe that I am here. Still in awe that I am about to see my boys play live. I had been so bummed about missing Bettis, Harrison and Hines play live. I could not bear the thought of not witnessing Troy play live. Nor Big Ben. Nor AB. Who knew I would also witness what become the entity known as Le'Veon Bell and his breakout year to come. Ben also smashed a few records of his own. We all know it was because I finally made my presence known at Heinz Field. I take full credit. LOL! Just kidding. Or am I?

As we come to the opening of the fence that leads into Heinz Field Becky looks at me and says " Are you ready?"

I smile a big smile at her and say "Yes."

I have never been more ready for anything in my life.

I am about to enter the mothership also known as Heinz Field, which stands near the hallow ground that was once Three Rivers Stadium. The time has come......

Heinz Field

The Comeback Story Of A Lifetime!!

Chrissy

Come a little closer than you'll see.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part III: You Are Now In Steelers Country

"How lucky was I to have played for the Pittsburgh Steelers fans. A proud, hard working people, who loves their football and their players." - Jack Lambert

Attention passengers...this is your captain speaking. Please fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Becky and I are headed towards downtown Pittsburgh. We should be there in 10-12 minutes. The drive is nice. The sky is a beautiful blue. Fall Out Boy's new song "Centuries" is riding the Sirius Radio Air Waves. We have been hearing this song all weekend. It is has become the consummate theme song for this football weekend adventure. Fate and Perfection. We do not hit much heavy traffic. I am very thankful for that.

Then we see them. The golden bridges of Pittsburgh! I get so excited. This is happening. I feel like I am in this weird dream/reality state. As we cross the bridge and enter the city, we look for the parking garage the fellow Steelers fan we met in the hotel parking lot told us about. We see a sign that says $20 for parking. Is this is? Doesn't seem like it. The directions were a little different. Becky and I say screw it and enter the garage.

The young parking attendent explains to us that we can either walk the bridge over to the stadium or take the T over. Both are free. Becky and I decide we will take the T over and walk the bridge back to get some sightseeing in. (I still have no idea WTF a T is.) The attendent points us in the direction of the T. Becky sees it right away, up the street from us. I stare to where she is pointing...clueless. How does she know that? I am mindblown cuz all I see is what looks like a glass bus stop shelter.

We meet up with two more fans while we are on our walk. They are from Chicago but love the Black and Gold. Steeler Fever is nationwide people! As we get closer to the glass enclosure I notice there are steps. Oh! Duh? Blonde moment. A T is a subway! Pittsburgh has a subway? No goof, they call it a Tube here hence the T. Way to go genius. What...did you think you were taking to the game? A spaceship? The Millennium Falcon? Brilliant. Only took you an hour to crack this code. SMH. Sometimes I really amaze myself.

We walk down the steps to the platform. There are a few scattered Steelers fans also waiting for the Tube. Our Chicago friends are still deciding if they want to walk the bridge or stay here and take the T. The wife wants to see the river views. We tell them we are taking the T to the game then walking back. They think they should do that as well.

A few more fans begin to congregate on the platform. I thought there would be more. Of course we are early. Becky had recommended we get there early so we have time to check out everything in the stadium. She has done this before. She knows her stuff. She is an Eagles fan. She goes to Lincoln Financial Field almost every year. Her brother was a star football player for Syracuse. She has been to many college bowl games including the Rose Bowl. Her brother also played for the Detroit Lions for a little while. She was definitely from a football family. And I trust her with my life. Besides, the faster I get to the mothership, the more relaxed I will feel. I am still a ball of nerves and scenarios of what could go wrong.

I begin perusing the T station to distract myself....from myself. It is immaculately clean. Not a spot of trash or graffiti anywhere. No funky smells. Brightly lit. Toto, we are not in NYC anymore. As I continue admiring the cleanliness of the T station we hear the train coming. As I turn and look at the train, my mouth drops. Car after car after car is just a sea of black and gold and white. Hundreds and hundreds of Steelers fans are packed into the cars. This has to be one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

As the train pulls to a stop and opens it doors to welcome more Steelers fans, I feel a wave of incredible belonging wash over me. I am with my peeps. My breathen. My brothers and sisters of Steeler Nation. My anxiety has disappeared completely and has been replaced with bewilderment and awe. Becky and I take our place in the car. I look around me, eyes wide, checking out all the different jerseys and Steelers apparel. Becky and I both agree, as much as I dislike the black and gold striped bumble bee uniforms on the players, they actually look really cool on the fans whom were wearing them.

As for Becky, she is donning a Steelers shirt just for me. She is a die hard, Fly Eagles Fly fan. She bleeds green. She loves her team. But she also loves football and me. I know it is hard for her but I so appreciate her making my very special day even more special. I will definitely return the favor! I will gladly go to an Eagles game and wear an Eagles shirt to show her support as well! Football is just a fun time.

The T makes it's way slowly through the tunnels. The anticipation in me is growing. I am ready to crawl out of my skin. Becky tells me to look to my left. As we emerge from the tunnel into the bright light I gasp. The stadium is right there. We literally pull right up to the stadium. There are black and gold clad people everywhere. This is the first of many moments where I go sissy and fight back my tears. I have driven past the mothership once before, but I am about to go into it for real this time. I am going to a for real, regular season, home opener Steelers game.

Heinz Field Baby!!

In the past, I have had opportunities to see other NFL teams play in regular season and as much as I was tempted, because I do love football, I would ultimately decline. I've also had a few opportunities to see the Steelers play in pre-season but again....I just couldn't go. It had to be this way. Looking at the stadium and the thousands of fans and the clear blue sky and one of my closest friends by my side just reaffirmed in me that this was exactly how it was supposed to be. It was worth the wait. I know it sounds hokey but I am also so proud that I made one of my biggest dreams come true on my own. I did this. I made this happen. This was all me.

As the train pulls to a stop, oceans of black and gold fans follow the stairs off the platform and onto the street. I am trying to balance my camera, take pictures with my phone and juggle my gallon sized sandwich bag filled with my essentials in my hands. It is a small miracle I don't drop anything. As Becky witnesses this common Chrissy juggling act, she asks me where I would like to go first. I look at her blankly with a silly smile on my face. Yep, I went stupid again. I have no idea. Where do we go? What do we do? Where are we? I think she can tell from the look on my face that the beams from the mothership have penetrated my brain thus affecting my thinking and gently takes the lead.

She suggests we walk towards the river. As she turns to look at me still juggling with my stuff, she tells me to turn around.

And there it is. The segno.

You, my friend, are in Steelers Country.

I start jumping with excitement. OMG! OMG! OMG! I am in Steelers Country. I tell Becky like five times just in case she can't read the sign that she pointed out to me. My camera is flinging around, my phone is slipping in my sweaty palm and my sandwich bag is now all crumpled. I look to her like a little kid but she is already reaching for my camera and directing me to the perfect spot for my photo under the sign. We have to document this moment. CFess has arrived.

Chrissy is in Steelers Country. The sign confirms all of this.

After the first of many photo shoots had finished, we continue walking towards the river. Mother nature has blessed one of my most special, exciting days with some gorgeous, perfect September weather. She just knew. Fans are tailgating in one of the few small parking lots. I smell hotdogs and smoke. Thought there would be more tailgaters to be honest. So did Becky. She mentions tailgating is huge in Philly. Someone had told me once though that Heinz Field isn't one of those stadiums known for their tailgating. It's all good. There is plenty more to see. I just don't know it yet.

As we stroll and people watch, Becky asks me what food Pittsburgh is known for. I look at her blankly...again. Yep, third time in the past hour I have gone completely stupid. She helps me out a little. She mentions how Philly is known for it's cheesesteaks. All I can muster is, there are black and gold pierogies somewhere. I suck. That doesn't count. That's Shendo aka 462 not Pittsburgh. I actually do not know what food Pittsburgh food is known for other than putting cole slaw and fried eggs on sandwiches.

She is down with going to Primanti Brothers after the game. When in Rome...or Steeler Country right? I love that Becky is like that. I love going to different places and experiencing the city's culture and food. I want to experience what the locals do and love. It makes the experience more intimate, more genuine, more to the soul. I may not always agree with the locals, but I wouldn't want the experience any other way. Becky just gets it, like I do. Nothing wrong with doing the touristy stuff, as long as I also get to touch, feel and taste the true heart and soul of a place as well.

Becky and I continue to walk and talk when I notice a big ass truck is sitting all alone in a field of grass by the river. (A van down by the river....not all of you will get that but if you do...rock on Mr. Farley.) It says "Steelers" on the side of the truck in big letters. Well of course it does! I ask Becky if she will take my picture by this truck. I also ask her why no one else is by this truck. I realize she wouldn't know. Why would she? LOL! She is used to me though. Those mothership tractor beams are really doing a number on me I decide.

Becky is now in charge of my phone and camera. I trot through the grass towards the truck like I am in one of those cheesy feminine product commercials. My blonde hair whipping in the wind, so light on my feet like an elegant gazelle. I feel fresh, I feel pretty. More like... I feel like hot wiring this bad ass truck and calling it my own while flipping the bird to some hater Ravens fan while Sevendust's Bitch plays in the background. You don't see that kind of shit in a maxi pad commercial but you should. That would probably be a way more honest portrayal of PMS. That or just setting the entire truck on fire. F@ck yo couch and F@ck the Ravens, Browns and Bengals.

"I can't imagine to be like you. The pain and suffering you put me through.....bitch!!" But I am digressing here people. Writing about this is making my blood pump with excitement and adrenaline. Calm yourself girl! (So much going to a game every year now! Just sayin!)

So this is my photo shoot by the Steelers truck complete with a terrible towel. ziploc bag and Marlboro Special Blend Light 100.

But wait....there is so much more. We are just at the tip of the iceberg. Or should I say Blitzburgh.

To be continued!

Chrissy

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part II: The Morning of the Big Day

“When you’re faced with a tough opponent who plays dirty and takes cheap shots, buckle on an extra chinstrap and hit him in the snot locker every play until he quits.” - Iron Mike Webster

Game Day.
Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland
One of the oldest rivalries in the NFL.

It is a beautiful day for some football!

I wake up at 6:00 AM. I lay in my most comfortable hotel bed at the Days Inn Conference Center starring at my game day ensemble spread out on the club chair by the patio doors. The air conditioner has begun humming once again. This is for real. This is no longer just a dream. This is my reality. Today I am going to Heinz Field. Today I will witness one of the most legendary rivalries in all of football.

A list about a mile in length of things that could go wrong stream through my head. I won't even get into how ridiculous and far fetched that list becomes within a span of 60 seconds. Instead, I get out of bed and open the patio door to have a smoke. (I was so excited the nice gentleman at the desk gave us a room on the first floor with patio doors. This will be my Pittsburgh hotel from here on out!) I don't want to wake Becky. I am actually pissed I am up so early too because I know now, there is no way in hell I am falling back asleep and I don't want to be tired for the game.

I sit on the ground and light up. It is looking to be a beautiful day for some football. The rain from the previous night is all but a memory as the late summer sun starts peeking out of the early morning sky. I decide to walk to the breakfast area to get a coffee. I will wait until Becky wakes for breakfast but I am honestly afraid to eat. Don't want to risk a belly ache for the game. I don't want to pass out at the game either. The dilemma!

I grab my coffee and head back to the room. I watch the end of a movie. Knocked Up. A great, funny comedy to calm my nerves. I turn on Sportscenter because for some ungodly reason the cable company this hotel uses does not have the NFL channel. Seriously?? This is Pittsburgh right? Huge football city last time I checked. Why the f@ck would you not have the NFL channel in the NFL's most winning team's city? Obviously they missed the memo about the City of Champions!!!

Doesn't matter. I look at my game day clothes again. Another dilemma.

The night before, after our adventure in State College which I will write about in another blog, Becky and I enjoyed some shopping in a Pittsburgh Wal-Mart. Perhaps we tried on Halloween masks. Becky looks smoking as Mrs. Captain America. I decide to buy a Batgirl nightgown complete with cape! I always wanted to wear a cape. Now I can! So exciting!! Perhaps I also found a Pittsburgh Steelers dress.....with an interesting story behind it. Not sure if I am going to get into that story yet. Maybe....Maybe not. As of right now...only Becky knows the story. And it's quite funny.

Mrs. Captain America

Perhaps we were a little taken aback by the sole other NFL team apparel being sold in this Pittsburgh Wal-Mart. Yea... so of course there was going to be mostly Steelers clothing being sold in this Walmart. Duh...We were by Pittsburgh. It's only natural. And I know in the Hazleton Walmart, they sell mostly Eagles and Steelers NFL clothing because they are the two major state teams. It would make sense. However, as much as I enjoy this team, it was not what I was expecting as the "secondary" team for the Pittsburgh area. It didn't make sense. I was expecting Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns or Cincinnati Bengals gear. None of that was being had around these parts!

So...apparently there is a renegade contingency of NY Giants fans in the Pittsburgh area because that was the only other NFL team stuff being sold at this Walmart. Bill, my NY Giants fan father, would be both pleased and proud at the selection of NY Giants beer coozies, shot glasses, coffee mugs and car decals available in Western PA. Becky and I had a good laugh about it. Go Bill! Go G-Men! Anyways, I buy the Steelers dress. I decide I will wear it to the game tomorrow instead of my beloved Bettis jersey.

After some swimming in the hotel swimming pool where Becky dazzled me with her one woman synchronized swimming routine (The Olympics have no idea what great talent they were robbed of. This was a gold medal performance! So not fair!) and some room service pizza, I decide to try on my dress. I really loved it. I go to the full length mirror to take a better look. Hmmmmm.....something seems off about it. I ask Becky for her opinion. She likes it. She says I could totally pull it off. I look back in the mirror. And so it begins.....

The lovely hotel swimming pool where one woman synchronized swimming events are sometimes held.

Am I really going to wear a "dress" to my first Pittsburgh Steelers game? Really? That is so girly. Thus starts another epic battle between the tom boy part of me and the girly part of me. Usually it is pretty balanced and the two live in harmony but today is one of those days where the two are in complete disagreement. I tell myself I can pull this off and who cares if I wear a dress to the game. Hello? I am a girl. Well a woman but you know what I mean. I stare over at my Bettis jersey. The guilt washes over me. I swore I would wear his jersey to my first game. I swore!

The betrayal is eating away at me. Way to go Chrissy. Way to buy a cute Steelers dress and go all girly for this big game. I stare at myself in the dress again. Dammit! I do a turn. There is something just off about this dress for some reason. I can't put my finger on it. I walk over and grab my jeans and pull them on. I walk back to the mirror. Well that looks stupid. A dress with jeans? I take the jeans off and put on my leggings. Looks better but leggings at a football game? Oh my god what am I doing to myself?? Stop it.

I take the leggings off and put the jeans back on. Poor Becky. She is engrossed in a TV show while I talk aloud about creating my own personal hell over what to wear to the game. I tie the dress up in a knot at the end to make it look like a shirt. I turn and show Becky. She laughs at how perplexed I am but says it looks good. I tell her this is what I am going with tomorrow. It is set. I also bought a Steelers baseball cap to wear although I may still do the bandana thing with my hair.

So as the morning has arrived and I look at the chair displaying my clothes, the guilt washes over me once again. I have to wear that jersey. I have to. It's a football game dammit not a high school prom!! Calm yourself. But the dress I turned into a T-shirt is so pretty!! Damn. I make an executive snap decision. F@ck it! I am wearing all of it. The jeans, the dress, the jersey! I am wearing all of it and I can just shut the hell up now.

The wardrobe drama

Becky comes from the shower and sees me standing in my jeans and Bettis jersey. I decided not to go with the dress she asks. I pull up the jersey to show her I am also wearing the dress. She starts rolling. Now that that part is over, it is time to decide what to do with my head. Do I wear my new Steelers baseball cap or the yellow bandana that means golden showers or the black bandana that means BDSM. Decisions, decisions. ( Black and yellow bandanas in the gay community mean something entirely different than Pittsburgh Steelers. Who knew? LOL!) To be safe....I go with my hat.

Well now all that drama is finally over. It is almost 10 AM. Time to leave for the game.

We chat with a fellow Steelers fan in the parking lot for a few minutes. He too is going to be heading over to the stadium as well very shortly. We get recommendations on where to park. Do not try to park near the stadium. It is all reserved already and there is very little parking over there. Park downtown and take the T or the ferry over to the stadium. (What the f@ck is a T? I have no idea what that is but Becky seems to understand what he is saying so that is good.) Becky had researched all of this earlier on the internet but it was nice hearing confirmation from someone who has been there before.

We hop in the car onto the next leg of this fantastic journey. It is just the beginning.

Chrissy

Come Into My World For Stroll

My blog posts are short stories about my adventures. They are not always five minutes reads. Just like any author, I enjoy relating the story of my adventures or experiences in a way in which my readers can walk away with a feeling of having been right there with me throughout my journey. My motivation is to inspire and relate with my readers through my passions for writing and living life to the fullest. So.... sit back, grab a drink and come escape with me for a little while to another place and another time.

Love,

Fess

A Free Spirit's Bucket List

Pages

Saturday, February 28, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part VI: May The Lombardi Be With You

Sunday, February 15, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part V: The Mothership

Monday, February 9, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part IV: 3 Rivers Run Through It

Sunday, February 8, 2015

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part III: You Are Now In Steelers Country

#1 Attend A Pittsburgh Steelers Game Part II: The Morning of the Big Day

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