Behind the Steel Curtain
Live from Delaware, it’s Saturday Night! I, NAS204PSU, am here at BTSC to bring you this Saturday Night Open Thread (aka SNOT).
I grew up just an hour and a half drive on I-90W from Cleveland. In Erie, PA, you would find residents were usually fans of one of three NFL teams: Bills, Browns, or Steelers. As my parents both hail from just outside the ‘Burgh, the Steelers are in my blood. I spent every few weeks making the 2+ hour drive to the Pittsburgh area, visiting relatives.
Having come from a large family, my maternal grandmother hosted Sunday dinners for her 4 siblings and all their respective children, grandchildren (including myself), and eventually even a few great-grand children. The Steelers games were part of the tradition of course.
I can remember during one of my single digit years, a distinct memory of my family’s Steeler fandom. With over twenty relatives crammed around grandma’s living room TV for a Steeler game, none were louder than my then-70+ great Aunt screaming “hit him, tackle him!” I am certain, as this was the late 80s, it was not a consequential game. That is the kind of passion my family had for the Steelers.
That passion also fuels a rivalry with the Browns. It was known we didn’t like them. In 1996, they tried to run to Baltimore and transition themselves into purple. We still didn’t like the new them, even if they weren’t legally “The Browns.”Then, in 1999, the Browns resurrected. We still don’t like the new-old them.
There are a few games that are more firmly burned in my memory than the 2020 Wildcard game that saw the Baker Mayfield led Browns dismantle an aging Ben Roethlisburger led Steelers. The very first play from scrimmage had Maurkice Pouncey sail the snap over Ben’s head, which was recovered for a Cleveland touchdown. Multiple Big Ben interceptions and defensive failings later, the Browns were up 28-0. It was never really close. Even with 500+ passing yards and 4 TDs from Ben didn’t make up for that first fumble and 4 INTs. Especially when your defense gives up 5 TDs and has zero take-aways.
I loathe the Browns. I hope Aaron and company hang 50+ on them and TJ, Cam, and the rest sack Dillon Gabriel to next week. The Brown bag lunch is something that deserves to be lit on fire and left on their porch. Ding, dong Cleveland. We’re waiting for ya!
This 6 pack of questions is here to get the conversation going, so let us know what you’re eating/drinking!
