In addition to offering a vast source of aid to Pittsburgh charities, the institution of professional sports in the region boosts the sense of community and union between residents and politicians alike. Fans of Pittsburgh sports teams will say, when asked (or even when not asked), that there are no sports fans like Pittsburgh sports fans. The connesieur of Pittsburgh sports is a die-hard, camping in the parking lot a week prior to ticket sales for an important game, braving cold and inclemate weather to root for the home team, caring and sharing at tailgates, with their sizzling grills open to hungry fellow fans that should happen to pass by. These fans avidly support their teams’ charities, showing up perennially at stadium blood drives, consistently donating cash, toys, clothing and canned foods when there are collections, and, should they happen to cross paths, letting members of the team know that they admire all the wonderful benefits the team gives back to the community. These fans are loyal; lifetime Steelers fans, for example, write to the team even while stationed at military bases halfway across the world, just to say, “Thank you for everything.” The city came together on the frozen morning of February 11, 2001, to say goodbye to a city sports legend: Three Rivers Stadium. Despite the penetrating winter cold and whipping river winds, the fans turned out to say good-bye to their beloved cookie-cutter-style stadium, which was set to implode at 8:00 AM; a place that had brought them the magic of baseball and football for 31 years was about to bow out of the sports scene, and proper respect was due. The event resulted in a city-wide tailgate party, with fans joining broadcasters and sports alumni in saying good-bye, celebrating together in a warm, friendly atmosphere, feeling a profound connection to their home town, their birthplace, and where they played their game. They sang songs and cheered around bonfires, chatted with their neighbors, shared memories with strangers, and together, watched a monumental building collapse under thousands of tons of dynomite, the responsibility of memories now resting soley in their own minds. The brotherhood that sports creates in Pittsburgh is not limited to sports players and fanatics, but it also extends into the city government. In the 2002-2003 season of Steelers football, when the Steelers were driving for the Superbowl, the mayor of Pittsburgh, Tom Murphy, counted himself in on the fun and excitement. Each time the Steelers were to face a new team in the playoffs, Mayor Murphy would challenge the mayor of the opposing city to a mayorial friendly wager, in which each mayor would wager against the opposing team’s victory. Upon decision of the wager by the actual score of the game, the losing team’s mayor would be presented with sports memorabilia from the victorious team’s mayor (and be made to wear the winning team’s jersey at the press conference that would ensue), and in return, the losing mayor would offer the victor a few small pieces of his or her city’s cultural tradition, such as regional foods and keepsakes. The entire Pittsburgh community benefits from its institution of professional sports, as it unifies people from all walks of life to cheer toward a positive, common goal.

As the crowd dwindles outside of Heinz Field and the satisfied fans begin the commute home, the post-game media frenzy begins with a murmur of inquisitive reporters as coach Bill Cowher and the two heroes of the game, quarterback Tommy Maddox and wide receiver Plaxico Burress seat themselves in the conference area. This was one important win: the rival Cowboys have been put to shame by the Steelers’ dazzling offense. Plaxico Burress inclines his head toward the first reporter, who asks him how he felt to receive the game-winning pass. “Running into tha

Some topics in this essay:
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