FANatic

What is a fanatic?

Lambert Jersey. Check.

Terrible Towel tucked neatly into back pocket. Check.

Black and Gold beads. Check.

We walk to the side door.  A “Home of a Steelers fan” welcome mat greets us.  A Superbowl feast of cheese cubes and meat, polish sausage and sauerkraut, chili, meatballs and wieners, plenty of chips and M & M’s all displayed on the dining room table.  I sit down next to the cozy fire in the living room.  The pre-game is playing on the flat LCD screen TV.

The game:  Ball is snapped.  First down!  Terrible towels are flying.  Everyone is intensely sitting forward watching the game. Some playing armchair quarterback, not liking the plays that have been called.  The little “Justin Biebers” (as Jill puts it) of the world sit quietly on the floor in front of the TV each with their jersey supporting their favorite player.  This is the future generation of Steeler fans.  Laughter peals as a commercial about Doritos is on: A man forgets to take care of his roommates pet goldfish and plant.  He sprinkles Doritos on them and they come alive.  He accidentally knocks over his roommates grandfather’s ashes and it fades back to the roommate coming home to find both his roommate and grandfather watching TV.

Very disappointing start so far, if your a Steeler fan.  Three minutes left in the first quarter and Green Bay has already scored again after an interception.  It is a bit of a struggle to try and control the language around the little ones.  Already the mood is somber.  “Come on Ben throw another pic” Rick says.  He is throughly disgusted by the way his team is playing. 

5:21 left to go in the half.  Big Ben throws a pass straight into the arms of Randel El for 37 yards.  A touchdown is really needed to go into halftime.  Less than a minute to go before the half Ben hit Hines Ward for the Steelers first touchdown.

Halftime show...Eh, not much to write home about.

After the half the Steelers momentum picks ups, but just as quickly Green Bay forces fumble and whoosh the hope is sucked out of the room. Game over.

I remember when the Steelers got their sixth Superbowl championship.  You can’t help but get sucked into all the screaming, hugging, and grown men in tears.  Somehow, you just want to be a part of it.  The tears this year weren’t tears of happiness...well if you were a Steeler fan that is.