Bleeding Black and Gold

In the frigid January air this Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be taking on the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game here at Heinz Field.  The Weather Channel is calling for a high of 18 degrees, which means by game time at 6:30 pm the temperature could well be in the single digits.  I must echo the thoughts of several sports writers out there: this is the way football was meant to be played.  In the cold and snow, every breath visible, uncomfortable beyond measure; the only thing driving the fans out in droves is the chance to see their beloved home town team fight for a spot in the ultimate game.  That is how football should be played - reminiscent of the Ice Bowl played by the Packers and the Cowboys in 1967 where the game time temperature was -15 degrees (in case you are not up to snuff on your football history - the Packers won). 

Pittsburgh fans are unlike any other I've ever seen - and I've travelled far and wide.  No matter where in the world you are, you are always able to find fellow Steelers fans.  Even in the Canary Islands, which is where I was the last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, there were Steelers fans - and in Barcelona, Spain, where I was for the championship game that year, there were Steelers fans. 

Today I went to the pep rally downtown, where freaky Steely McBeam was dancing onstage - seriously weird.  Even though I couldn't feel my face, hands or feet after 30 minutes there it still was exciting!!!  By the way, speaking of football weather, the weather at the rally?  16 degrees and snowing - felt like 0.  Brrrr...

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Today at work one of the attorneys brought in some cakes in honor of the Steelers:

Ok, this particular picture is from earlier this week for someone's birthday, but the Troy Polamalu penguin cake is the one that Pam brought in multiples of today.  Isn't it adorable?!?

In case I don't get a chance to update before Sunday:

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!

And with that, I leave you with a shot of our own mountain man - Brett Keisel :o)