Blog 'N Gold Feature

My friend Dan Gigler, writer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, asked me to do a piece for his blog. Here's what he made of it:


http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/blog-n-gold/24833-the-scene-in-green-bay

Steelers vs. Packers - Super Bowl XLV

I am a Steeler fan living in Packer Country. For over a year, nobody cared, all of a sudden, I have a target on my back. Super Bowl XLV, Steelers vs. The Pack, here we go!

Living in The Cheese State is very similar to living in the great city of Pittsburgh. The people of Wisconsin are extremely hard working, they have close knit family ties, they cultivate their local traditions, and they love their Miller products as much as Pittsburghers love their Iron City. Then there’s football. Wisconsin natives love their Packers. It’s in their blood. Green and gold is sported year round, the local news reports updates in the off season, and there is always an excitement for the next season to begin. If the Packers lose, heads hang low. Work doesn’t begin on Monday mornings until about 10 am, after the game has been rehashed over and over with co-workers. If football isn’t your thing, go to the grocery store during the games, the aisles will be clear and there will be no lines at the check out.

Unlike the Steelers, the Packers are adored by the entire state. There are no Eagles to compete with, although there is a spattering of Bears and Vikings fans to contend with, making for some very serious rivalries. It can be debated which one is stronger, especially since “thou who shall not be named” (ahem, Favre) jumped from retirement to the Jets, to retirement, to that purple team from the snow filled dome. From personal experience, I would have to say it’s the Bears/Packers showdown. I see the Bears fans getting taunted much more than the Vikings fans. It seems as though the hype for the NFC playoff championship was bigger than it has been for the upcoming Super Bowl. I have even had requests from Bears fans to borrow any extra Steeler gear I may have for the game – I will gladly loan it out, just to see more people sporting black and gold other than myself!

Since last Sunday’s big wins, from a Steeler fan’s perspective, it has been kind of quiet. It seems as if there was a huge sigh of relief from Packer fans after defeating the Bears, perhaps they all needed a week to let it all settle in? So far, my house, with both a Packer flag and Steeler flag in the front window, has not been egged. The Steeler gnome, keeping watch over our new home, still sits proudly on the front step. I have not received any hate mail nor severe trash talking, although, I suddenly feel to need to watch my back.

Since Sunday, many conversations have started with “you’re the enemy”, but quickly turn into words of respect. “It’s going to be a great game.” “May the best team win.” “You can’t help but have respect for the Steelers.” Packer fans appreciate owners like the Rooney family and the no nonsense personality of head coach Mike Tomlin. Any true football fan understands that this is truly a head to head match up. The strength of the defense carries both teams. Each has a smart, solid quarterback with veteran receivers. The only negative statements heard are related to Big Ben’s choices off the field, but that’s beside the point.

Over the next week Packer fans throughout the state will be gearing up for the big game. I’ve received numerous invites to Super Bowl parties in the area, you are greeted by a wall of green and gold merchandise in every store entered, and many at my place of employment have requested the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday off. Wisconsin residents are no longer “feeling so fly like a G6” as the Far East Movement sings, they are “feeling so fly like a cheese head”. Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” has been taken over by “Green and Yellow”. Overall, there is just a feeling of pure excitement.

With my Steelers taking on the Packers this Super Bowl XLV, there has been much concern from family and friends over the effects this may have on nuptials planned for summer 2011. I can assure you, there will be no effect, provided the Steelers take home the Lombardi trophy! So far, there has been no tension in the household, but as my fiancé knows, if there is a Steeler loss, it is best to stay away from me for a good 12 hours or so. When the Packers took on the Steelers at Heinz field in December 2009, we both left the game in good spirits – Wallace made that amazing catch in the end zone to take the lead so I was happy, and the fiancé – well, he had just watched a great game, in an awesome stadium, in a beautiful city! What’s there not to be happy about? I’m anticipating the same outcome (win and all) from this show down.

So here’s to Steeler Nation representing in Packer Country. May the best team win in the big show in Dallas. This one is not only for the title, but for bragging rights in these parts!