Pittsburgh's fans are better, for now
But Seahawks' faithful have opportunity to change perception of Seattle
Gene J. Puskar / APBecause of what its teams have accomplished, Pittsburgh is a better sports city, writes NBCSports.com columnist JT the Brick.
JT'S NFL RANT
By JT the Brick
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 5:53 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2006
 | JT the Brick |
|
Which Super Bowl team has a better fan base? Is it the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Seattle Seahawks?
It depends on who you ask and also your definition of what makes great fans. With a week to go before Super Bowl XL in Detroit, I plan on interacting with as many fans of both teams as I can as I travel from Los Angles to Las Vegas and then arrive in Detroit for the game. I have been fortunate to have had my radio show broadcast in Seattle and Pittsburgh for many years, so I think I have a good handle on the mind set of the fans of the Pacific Northwest and the Steel City.
Pittsburgh is a more hard-core sports city because of the success of its professional franchises — from Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run against the New York Yankees in the ninth of Game 7 the 1960 World Series to Mario Lemieux's strength and grace as he lead the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles from 1990-92. We remember the “We are Family” 1979 Pirates lead by Willie Stargell, and who could forget “Franco’s Italian Army” and the “Terrible Towel?”
You can tell that fans of Pittsburgh are most proud of their beloved Steelers. They are the only NFL franchise to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles twice — 1975-1976 and 1979-1980. There are 22 players who have gained induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame while playing a portion of their careers in Pittsburgh. If you win a championship as a member of the Steelers you join a prestigious fraternity and will never be forgotten.
That brings us to Seattle. The Sonics won the NBA title in 1979, and that still stands as its most recent and only professional championship. Of the three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who have played for the Seahawks, Harris is one of them and he won four rings for the Steelers. Seattle is a great city and is officially the site of the best home-field advantage in the league. Qwest Field is the loudest stadium in the NFL and Seahawks fans now cause havoc for any team that travels to the Emerald City.
It is clear Pittsburgh is the better sports town with the deeper history when it comes to winning championships and being a part of sports history. The Seahawks have a great opportunity to win the Super Bowl and carry their city to a higher level when it comes to fan respect and notoriety. It is that simple.
If the Steelers win Super Bowl XL, they pick up their fifth Lombardi Trophy and further put their stamp on the title of one of America's top sports cities. Pittsburgh fans know they have a strong fan base, while Seattle fans want a taste of what it's like to be a legitimate big-time sports town.
I want to hear from you and get your opinion of each fan base and how you would describe them. I have a feeling I'm going to be responding to Pittsburgh fans at a 10-1 margin, but maybe Seattle can prove me wrong.
Keep reading for selected readers' responses:
Steelers fans are like Julia Roberts: proven, track record that speaks for itself, in the upper tier. Seahawks fans are Jessica Alba: not much on the resume, still cutting their teeth, mucho potential and a nice package, but nowhere near the resume or mettle ... yet ?
--Bill Sevilla, Newport Beach, Calif.
I have had the opportunity to experience both fan bases. In 1992 I attended a Penguins game at the Igloo while on business in Pittsburgh. The fans were absolutely fanatic. Everyone in the building was wearing a black and gold jersey! Steelers, Penguins, Pirates -- it didn't matter. The Pittsburgh fans LOVE their sports teams. I also have watched many Seahawks games because I am a fan and live in the Northwest. I remember my first game experience at the Kingdome. I had never heard anything as loud as that Dome. When QWest field was built, I thought that we would lose some of that edge since it is an outdoor stadium. WRONG! It is every bit as loud. Which fan base is better? When the Steelers' won their first Super Bowl it ended what, 40 years of frustration. Since then the team, the fans and the ownership have been rewarded with several more titles. Seattle has endured 30-plus years of the same frustration. I compare the Seahawks fans of present to those Steeler fans in the mid 70s. Thirsty for a championship and loyal to their team. The Steelers had to win their first title. The Seahawks will do the same. This year? We'll find out Feb. 5. What I do know is that both teams will be supported by two of the most loyal fan bases' in sports.
--Donovan Valdez, Wenatchee, Wash.
All you need to do is look at away games. At a Steelers away game, you see Terrible Towels waving in large numbers. Can Seattle boast the same? It is getting to the point where many teams are refusing to sell tickets to people from the 412 area code (Pittsburgh's).
--Bob, Philadelphia
The Seahawks and the "dotcom" fan base are going to get a taste of smash-mouth football. "STEELER COUNTRY" will be packing up their coolers full of Iron City Beer and taking over Detroit on Sunday.
--Garver, Vinco, Pa.
It's definitely Pittsburgh fans. We live and die by our sports teams. Every day we gain or lose energy depending on the outcome of the event. I know this because I have grown up in a Pittsburgh family. I know the Penguins and Pirates aren't good, but we enjoy watching them because it gives us somethin to look foward to and gives us a sense of hometown pride. Our Steeler pride is shown all across the nation. Our fans probably take up half of any away venue. Thats why other cities hate us!
--Daniel Covert, New Badeb, Ill.
Steelers fans are better! They are knowledgable, loyal and intense. I was at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and was gratified to see a huge motorhome tailgating group with a large banner stating, "Steeler Country". Iron City beer and chipped ham! I saw no similar in size Seahawk tailgating group. We win with subdued pride and lose with grace. Go Steelers!
--Richard Bishop, Fairhope, Ala.
Well, after 30 years of never making it to the big show, we are finally there!! We have endured years and years of ridicule because of that. Which is understandable. But for the first time in our team's history, we made it!! In part, because of the "12th" Man. Seahawk Fans unite during each and every game. And it is an amazing thing to be a part of. We will continue to support our team, just like any "die-hard" would, through the good and the bad...just seems like we had to endure it for much longer than a lot of other teams had to. Go Seahawks!!
--Heather Cuillier, Frederick, Md.
To get a grasp of football fever in Pittsburgh, you must first look at the great players that played in college and the NFL from western Pennsylvania. We have been fortunate to watch some of the best players for many years and expect excellence. Football is a passion and a way of life for us, from high school games on Friday nights to the Steelers on Sunday. The black and gold football fever is instilled in you when you are young and we only know the sweet taste of victory. There is no room for failure in Steelers country.
--Clifford Connor, Stockbridge, Ga.
Steelers fans have it easy -- with all the success over the years, it is easy to be an enthusiastic fan. Seahawks fans have had to endure bad ownership, East Coast arrogance and over 20 years with no playoff success. Seattle fans are better because we have endured and stayed loyal. Now our time has come. There is a new world order and it is colored blue and green.
--D.C. Dennis, Kent, Wash.
This is a silly discussion. The biggest reason the Seahawks fans were a factor was that that they played in a dome, all domes are loud for the home team. The Steelers have been sold out for how many years? But give Seattle fans credit, they have supported the Seahawks through many bad seasons.
--Tim Kelley, Berlin Center, Ohio
In my small town in Central Florida we have a couple of sports bars where everyone goes to watch the games. Do you think they are watching Miami ? No! Tampa? No !! Jacksonville ? Nada !! The Steelers games dominate the big screens here.
--Paul H., Inverness, Fla.
Actually, Seattle's "most recent professional championship" was in 2004. Or did they not pay anyone in the WNBA? Anyway, I'm quite sure you'll get more response from Steelers fans. Many of the sports-oriented people in Seattle would rather participate than watch. They're off snowboarding or rock climbing or kayaking, not sitting around getting fat in front of the TV.
--Joe, Seattle
I grew up in Pittsburgh and can attest to the fact that even if the team is not doing that well the stadium still sells out. That brings me to my next point. I also lived in Seattle for five years, and if the Hawks are not winning no one cares about them, they epitomize the term "fair weather fans!" Go Steelers!!!!
--Robert Olech, Morgantown, W. Va.
They don't call us the Steeler Nation for nothing!
--Tim Hildebrand, Seattle
Stabucks and cheerleaders? Terrible towels and Iron City beer? How many fans at a Steeler game does not have jersey on? (you may only need two hands to count the numbers) Seattle love what you done this year but as Charlie Daniels would say "go ahead put your hands on a Pittsbugh Steeler Fan and I think you'll finally understand."
--Larry, Tokyo
© 2012 NBC Sports.com Reprints ![]()
advertisement
