Like I have to explain it to anyone around here…but here goes:

Watching Steelers football in the greater Pittsburgh area is a complete and absolute way of life. We Pittsburghers are nuts about our “Steelers”. Some so-called experts would declare Dallas as “America’s Team”, but we humbly know better. Our pride runs deep. It starts within our own family and transcends through to our friends. It all makes sense. We bleed black and gold.

But, I do not have to explain it to you…

On my end, watching football is a refuge; an asylum from the stresses and rigors of everyday life. Some of the best memories were forged watching football. I remember playing catch with my brothers in the yard at halftime of Superbowl XIV when we beat the Rams. (Yes, I said we, you know what I mean…) Hey I was eight, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

But, I bet you remember where you were that day also…

I’ve even been to a few playoff games in my day. The most memorable, is a game where Jets Kicker Doug Brien shanked two field goals (43 and 47 yards) in the final two minutes of regulation. The Jets would have won. Brien’s miscues enabled the game to go to overtime, and it was  when Steelers took over. I was right under the field goal post Brien was kicking towards. I never hugged so many strangers in my life. I also remember being at a playoff game against the Patriots in 1998. It was 7 degrees. We were lined up at 5:30 AM waiting to get in the parking lot. The Steelers won 7-6. Oh, Steeler home games do bring back memories.

But I don’t have to tell you, I’ll bet you remember those games too…

Ah…  Steeler home games.

What a picture, a myriad of people coming together to cheer on a common entity to victory. The white noise of the traffic on the overpass above your head creates a trance-like state. There are police and ambulance sirens off in the distance, hopefully coming to someone’s aid… but usually adding to one’s misfortune. There are horns honking and people chanting.  The atmosphere is brought alive with frequent hoots and hollers. The smell of charcoal saturates the air. There is cold beer for breakfast and you have frozen hands all day, but the thoughts of a Steeler victory fuels a spark inside one’s body. This spark serves as a heating element all day long.

But, I do not have to explain it to you…

You know exactly where I am coming from.

I would just like to remind everyone to take a step back and look at the bigger picture this Sunday. As you are watching the game with friends and family, keep in mind that it will be a moment in your life that you will cherish forever. A memory you can tell your grandchildren about. Win or Lose. I know I will.

It will also be the moment I will be labeled “The Great Prognosticator”.

My prediction: Steelers 31 Cards 27

MVP: Nate Washington

Check out these links for more info surrounding the big game and the Steelers in general:

http://www.steelerconnection.com/
http://www.steeleraddicts.com/
http://steelers.dve.com/main.html
http://www.steelertribute.com/LINKS.HTM Please feel free to comment and state your prediction....