BSS' 10 Reasons to Love The Steelers...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Big Snack Silverback, inspired by Thursday's win no doubt, put together the following list of his 10 Reasons to Love The Steelers and wanted to share them with y'all. So who was I to say no to such a noble endeavor? Some of them are personal to him. Some are just general principles. But in either case, they're all evidence of the pride each of us has in our Steelers. So give him some love in the comments for providing this solid material on a day without Steelers football. Take it away, Big Snack Silverback!

1. The Immaculate Reception
Youtube it. It is perhaps the greatest play in sports history and marks the turning point for the Steelers franchise from "lovable losers" to dynasty.

2. The first professional football game was played in Pittsburgh in 1892
'nuff said.

3. I was named after 7-time pro-bowler Andy Russell
His name was Charles Andrew Russell. My Father's name is Charles. My name is Andrew.

4. I was born in March 1975, two months after our first super-bowl victory.

5. Hines Ward
He is the hardest-hitting, most-smiling receiver ever to play the game.

6. James Harrison
Harrison was cut 4 times (3 by the Steelers), and was undrafted out of Kent State, where he recorded 5 sacks on Miami, Ohio's Ben Roethlisburger in his final game. He didn't solidify himself in the starting lineup until age 29. And though he is listed at 6' 0" he is really 5' 10". If he isn't the NFL defensive player of the year it will only be because he doesn't have a sack dance.

7. The Terrible Towel
Back in 1975, Myron Cope urged Steelers fan to bring gold or yellow dish towels to a playoff game against the then-Baltimore Colts and wave them to lift the team to victory. It worked -- straight through to victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X.

AND proceeds of Terrible Towel sales go to the Robinson-based Allegheny Valley School, which operates programs for the mentally disabled.

8. I have a Steeler bar right up the street
In Laguna Hills, CA, there are 100 Steeler fans waving Terrible Towels every week.

9. We have no cheerleaders
Because they are useless and have nothing to do with football.

10. Because Troy "The Missle" Polamalu said this:
"People don't like to play against us because we play kind of ugly, rough, physical...It's just the personality of this city, the personality of this team. It's just so blue-collar. That New York, Los Angeles, Hollywood mentality is not within us, and we like that."

RIP Paul Newman...

In case you haven't already heard from 1,000 other people, acting legend Paul Newman died yesterday after a long bout with Cancer. He was in a million cinematic classics, but I think the one we'll all hold nearest and dearest was Slap Shot. Fast forward the video above to around the 3:20 mark and pour one out for a great American actor.

On a somewhat related note, my Mom claims she once saw Paul Newman at a deli in Westport, CT, where he lived. She worked nearby and she said he used to call in his sandwich order, then when he went to pick it up, the shop owner would conveniently call out - "Who wants a roast beef on rye," which of course, was Newman's order. Humble, indeed.

I've also always admired the fact that he donated every last cent of profit from his "Newman's Own" dressings, etc. to charity. These days, celebrities are more talk than action when it comes to charity. He was a rare human being in that sense.

RIP Paul. The world will miss you and your kindness.

Uh, False...

Hey WKYC, guess what? The Browns play the Steelers twice a year. Nice try though.

PS - Deshea Townsend likely out tomorrow. Shit. McFadden better earn that new contract. You hear me, Drew Rosenhaus?

Oh, and be sure to check out the interview I did with MVN Outsiders. They asked me and Browns blogger, Scott from Waiting for Next Year, three questions about Sunday's game. And hilarity ensued...or something like that.

McCain Campaign Pulls A Bissinger...

I almost never write weekend posts. I can't remember the last time I did, actually. It's kind of like seeing a dog walk on his hind legs. That or hearing Mike Tomlin give a press conference without using the phrase "the reality of it."

But this time, I feel it's important.

At this point, you've probably heard about John McCain's creative memory. Well in response to the slip up, his campaign had this to say...

"[This] was an honest mistake...If bloggers want to make fun of John McCain because he forgot which team he used under torture, that is their right."

From a PR standpoint, this is a classic but anachronistic strategy that I call "the Jedi Mind Trick." Yes, he was wrong, but look over there - those bloggers are a bunch of insensitive dicks (/McCain sneaks out back door while everyone throws stones at bloggers).

Having worked in PR at the beginning of my career, and now authoring this blog, I have what I think is a unique perspective on this.

Which is, that's a piss poor response. The last thing you want to do when the center of your campaign has completely screwed up, is blame someone else who merely pointed out the mistake (albeit in a sarcastic and less than flattering tone). The right reaction would have been just to apologize. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

For example, think about the steroid situation in baseball. Take Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. I know they're not exactly on the same talent level and I know it is remotely (very very remotely) possible that Bonds didn't use steroids. But my point is - Bonds has chided everyone for suggesting that he cheated, and everyone hates him (well, just about everyone). Giambi openly admitted his mistake, apologized, and people forgave him.

It's not some brilliant strategy. It's human nature. When you make a mistake, you apologize. And you certainly don't blame other people for pointing out the truth. This is not 1955. Today, information is distributed at light speed. You just can't expect everyone to ignore such a glaring mistake.

So I don't know who's in charge of McCain's PR, but in this man's opinion, they handled this one really poorly. I mean, after all, McCain is vying for the Presidency. This certainly doesn't instill much confidence in me that he's a decent and caring man. Especially when his campaign takes a shot at bloggers. Way to go with the flavor of the week defense. Jerks.

Anyone feel differently? Thoughts? Were bloggers wrong for highlighting McCain's blunder?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
McCain's Mind No Steel Trap [Post-Gazette]
McCain's Steelers Memory Contradicts His Book [KDKA]
John McCain Is Old Or A Liar [PSAMP]
John McCain is a Steelers Fan (when in PA) [MJD]
In PA, McCain Tells a New Version of Heroic P.O.W. Story [ABC News]
McCain claims he recited Steelers lineup, problem is... [Daily Kos]