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There are other NFL teams that can claim “national” fanbases. The Cowboys, Raiders, Packers and — perhaps to lesser degrees — the Patriots, 49ers and Giants all have far-flung fans.
But when one considers why the Steelers captured American imaginations, it has more to do with their brand of straight-ahead, smashmouth offensive football and brute-force defensive football that has been in the game’s DNA since the sport began.
The “Steeler Way” didn’t start seven years ago with their latest coach. It started with Chuck Noll in 1969. It developed through four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s. The torch was passed to Pittsburgh native Bill Cowher in 1992 and the defense-first, running game second commitment resulted in another Super Bowl win in 2005. Now, it’s Tomlin’s job, and he says he understands what his marching orders are.
“One of the reasons we have had consistent excellence over a long period of time in our organization is because we are under the leadership of Dan and Art Rooney (the team’s ownership),” Tomlin explains. “Their vision of what Steelers football is about is very clear. I think I have my job because my vision is similar to what their vision is. I have learned more about their vision since I have been there so, of course, I am going to play to it."
Said former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton on Friday, “Who would not like how the Steelers do things? They’ve had three coaches (in 30 years) and they’re all the same kind of guy. Serious-minded men, guys that can lead. I love the Steelers for what they’ve done in that aspect. They don’t say, ‘Well, we need a soft coach, we need a hard coach.’ They hire men who have a philosophy that fits what they’ve always done.”
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There’s something reassuring about that. Steady. Consistent.
Says Steelers chairman Dan Rooney when asked about his teams following through the decades.
“Success had something to do with it. And difficult times in Pittsburgh (in the 1970s) had something to do with it. We sort of filled the void (that the tough times brought). We were something for their pride.”
Same as it ever was.
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