Time to devote a post to one of (if not the number one) my favourite sports, American Football, and in particular my team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve been a ‘fan’ of the Steelers since I was about seven years old, when I was given a sweatshirt by my aunt. Ok, at that point I didn’t watch the sport or have any idea who they were, but as soon as I could start watching it on Channel 4 (Gary Imlach and Mick Luckhurst in the late ’80s) I was rooting for them. Back in those days I didn’t have much to cheer about really, mid-table season after mid-table season, lucky to reach the first round of the playoffs, I missed out on the glory days of the late ’70s.
Back then, the Steelers defence was so Formidable it was nicknamed the Steel Curtain, a name and a reputation the team carry on to this day. When teams go to Heinz Field they know to expect to be kept to a minimum of yardage and points, but not just through brute force. I mean, there’s still brute force there (have a search on YouTube for James Harrison Highlights, the guy’s a beast), but now there’s finesse too, namely through the likes of Troy Polamalu. Some of the plays he pulls off are truly breathtaking (again, YouTube and search for ‘Polamalu highlights’ and check out some of the one-handed pickups), I saw a good quote the other day – “Two thirds of of the world are covered by water, the other third is covered by Troy Polamalu” :D.
Polumalu's 'Impossible' scoop catch
Anyway, yesterday was the AFC Championship game which saw my Steelers against the NY Jets, trying to get to their first Superbowl for over 40 years. Despite the Jets late run, the Steelers came out on top 24-19. The score looks closer than the game was, in fact they only let the Jets get one (ONE!) yard of rushing in the first half!. ‘Big’ Ben Roethligsberger hit an awesome scrambling pass to kill the game out at the end which epitomised how the Steelers play these days; improvised and effective. I feel sorry for the Packers come two weeks time, I wouldn’t fancy facing James Harrison pumped up for the Superbowl.
Harrison slams a pitch invader 😀
February 6th, 2011: Title number 7.