Bengals Fans Will Leave The Light On For You

vs.

The mass exodus has started in Cincinnati. The fans are revolting and hope Steeler fans invade Paul Brown Stadium while they hightail it for the Kentucky hills. I actually was a bit nervous about this game but now without Carson Palmer AND fans, I'm feeling much better.

Remember, these are Kentuckians we're talking about here:

I think no Bengal fans should show up for the game on Sunday. Let the stadium be filled the stupid, ugly, boastful, (i hope their q-back gets knocked out of the game) stealers (correct spelling) fans.

I just can’t wait to turn on the Bengals game this weekend and see more Steelers fans in the stands than Bengals fans... I had Bengals season tickets for 6 seasons and cancelled them after the 2006 season. What I came to realize was that I was going to the games to get drunk before the games and enjoy the camaraderie of spending the morning with friends grilling and drinking beer and not actually enjoying the rest of the day....and spending $800+ per season for the seat was just not worth it. Now I have Bearcat season tickets, pay nowhere near what I paid for the Bengals tickets and I actually enjoy the football itself as well as the time drinking before the games.

Boycott the game November 2! Picket the stadium! Protest outside where security can't take signs away -- it's OUR stadium, afterall!

Steeler Fans Continue Domination of NFL

Today it's the unheard of before today Ross Tucker. Somehow he has a column on si.com (apparently he is a former player). But who am I to argue with Ross' latest topic: the passion of Steeler fans.

At this point, it is more surprising if anyone tries making an argument that any fandom other than Steeler fans (I do not like the term 'Steeler Nation'. Too similar to the original 'Raider Nation' and to the despised 'Red Sox Nation'. It's a Steeler Universe in any event, and we're all just living in it). The next writer who claims the Cryboys or Packers or Bears or whoever have fans that are more enthusiastic than the Stillers should, in all seriousness, be forced to watch games in Atlanta or Jacksonville or some other site where the fans are as apathetic as they come.

What is interesting about Ross's argument is that he focuses solely on the impact Steeler fans have when their team is on the road, not at home. Which is interesting in that I don't believe Heinz Field provides a great home field advantage, certainly not as great as Three Rivers did. Maybe the advantages the Steelers enjoy from their fans are greater on the road than at home? Sounds strange but based on how much it can deflate a home team to see black and gold towels overruning their stadium, it just may be true.

In any event, here's some of what Ross thinks of the Black n' Gold universe:

The news out of Jacksonville Monday morning that approximately 25 percent of the fans for Sunday night's Steelers-Jags contest were waving yellow Terrible Towels came as no surprise to me. The Steelers have the most dominant fan base in the National Football League and their ability to consistently travel, en masse, and infest other team's stadiums gives the Steelers a competitive advantage that no other franchise can claim.

And though there are thousands of die-hard fans in Green Bay, Washington, Dallas, Buffalo, Cleveland, New England, and every other NFL city, the simple truth is very evident to every player in the NFL: Steelers fans are the best in the business.

...the fact remains there is nothing quite as powerful in the NFL as Steeler Nation [c'mon Ross, get with the program!].

Secondly, I am well aware that the Packers, Raiders, Cowboys and Redskins, just to name a few, have great fans who pop up in away stadiums every time their team is on the road. Trust me, it does not compare to Steelers fans. I have played for some of those teams and it is not even close. The Steelers have the best fans in the NFL.

Obama Tells Pittsburgh He's a Steelers Fan

Next week he becomes an Indianapolis Colts fan.

Steeler fans on Jets' turf

Too much ugliness stemming from yesterday to get into it yet. What 24 hours ago looked like a special year, helped by a weak remaining schedule, has turned into a bizarre one leaving no room for error. My thoughts will come eventually I guess, but first some of the only good news to come out of the game yesterday: Steeler fans make another stadium their own, from Ian O'Connor:

In losing seasons past, Jets' fans have quit making the brutal commute from Long Island and Queens. Only it's hard to recall a takeover of a home Jets' game any more hostile and humiliating than this one.

More Reason to Hate the Pats

Mondesi's House posts an email received from Steeler fan Zane in NYC who had to watch last week's game with a Pats fan. Judging from some of the post-game questions, I don't think this Pats fan is exemplary of all Pats fans, but obviously fans like this do exist:

I was in NYC for business over the past weekend and linked up with the New England rep and his fiancee to watch some football on Sunday. They're Patriot fans. Found out about a Steeler Bar in NYC, Scruffy Duffy's, donned my #36 jersey and headed over. An hour before kickoff, the place is filled with #7, #12, #32, #47, #58, #75, #86...........with more and more by the minute. As game time approaches, the Steeler polka and Here We Go is played. People are singing and my buddy asks me, "Do you know the words to this song?" Of course I do. Game starts and there's passion in the air. Folks are disappointed by the start, but no one has given up. The place is erupting with every key 3rd down pick up and exploding with Ben's touchdown run. After momentarily being silenced by Cribbs' return TD, the place builds up and explodes again with the final TD drive. Final Browns drive. The bar has a wheel that it spins with numbers associated with different plays that will result in a free drink: Interception return for TD, Fumble return for TD. The free drink for the second half was a 50 yard field goal. So as Dawson lines up, a make equals a free drink, and miss equals a victory. Victory is preferred to even a $6 beer and place goes crazy. Here We Go is being blasted again. High five and hugs for people who would be strangers if not for their Steelers garb.

The scene and passion of the past four hours has confused my Patriot friends. As we walk back to our hotel to begin going our seperate ways, the comments I heard were:

- "Why don't we (Patriot fans) have a song?

- "I'm not sure I wouldn't have been rooting for the free beer."

- "Even the girls wear Steeler jerseys. And not those pink ones."

- "You guys (Steeler fans) are crazy."

- "Do you think they have Patriots' bars in other cities?"

I have also come to find out that my buddy bought a Pats #12 jersey on Monday. It's amazing what happens when fans of other teams get a glimpse at the Steeler Nation.