Heart of Steel (ers)

Hello, Cranberry Patch readers. I’m Sarah and I just moved to Cranberry from San Diego.

Nearly everyone I have met here so far has made the understandable mistake of assuming I’m originally from the Pittsburgh area and that I've just moved back here. Suffice to say, I’ve heard the phrase “welcome back” a lot. This is not the case though.

To make a long story short, I’m a born-and-raised Southern Californian. San Diego is expensive, the economy is very bad and I have family in Cranberry, so here I am.

As you can imagine, the differences between Southern California and Western Pennsylvania are vast. Even if you, reader, are not from California, or new to Cranberry, I’m sure you can appreciate the shock of moving to a brand new place.

What I did not fully anticipate, though, was that one of the biggest differences (aside from weather) would be sports. In particular, a little football team named the Steelers. You may have heard of them.

Just to give you a bit of background, my hometown is in Orange County (yes, that Orange County). In that area, no one cares about sports. It’s just not on our radar. So when I moved to San Diego four years ago, even the city’s weak affection for the Chargers was overwhelming. However, it doesn’t remotely compare with the intense love Pittsburghers have for the Steelers.

As for my football knowledge, I know the terms quarterback, touchdown, pass, throw, 50-yard line— but I’m not even sure what all of those terms mean. I don’t know the names of any Chargers players names, but I do know the Steelers have “that one guy with the hair” in the Head and Shoulders commercials.

The idea of sports has always been a foreign concept to me and I’ve never understood how a team’s winning or losing of a game could affect a person’s feelings so much—until recently.

I’m a huge fan of the show Radiolab. One of the episodes I recently listened to was about games. In the episode, Freakonomics writer Stephen J. Dubner describes a childhood where his father was unable to provide emotionally and financially for the family.

To make up for what he lacked, Dubner’s father made sure each child had a football team to favor and root for. Dubner’s team of choice was, very fittingly, the Steelers. He grew to love Franco Harris. He idolized Harris and eventually, when Dubner’s father died, Dubner had a recurring dream that he met Harris almost every night for years.

Now, I’m not insinuating that all Pittsburghers are lacking something in their life, or that have an absent father resulted in their love of the Steelers.

But, speaking as someone new to the city with no friends to speak of—and who is starting over—I completely understand the need to fill a void or to have a purpose. Watching and rooting for your favorite sports team is more than just a frivolous opportunity to drink beer and stuff nachos down your throat. It’s about camaraderie and purpose.

I can’t say that I’ll avidly follow ESPN or buy a Steelers jersey anytime soon. I’ll definitely start following the games though and know what the Steelers are up to, because it’s not just about sports, it’s about loving my new city.

Tell me what you think reader, why do you love the Steelers? What are your other favorite sports team?