Quote:
Originally Posted by pj3000
I think we all know the general story, but the national phenomenon directly emanates from the Steelers' "Steel Curtain" glory decade of the 1970s... heavy manufacturing was collapsing throughout the region, and Pittsburgh and the steel industry was the epicenter of it.
Blue collar workers throughout the country (but in the north especially) felt a kinship with the team, who embodied gritty toughness... and won 4 super bowls in 6 seasons. It was the perfect fit for the era.
Additionally, the whole Franco's Italian Army thing was HUGE in solidifying an ardent Italian-ancestry fanbase throughout PA, NY, NJ, OH... I mean, Frank Sinatra himself joined
- Ethos of Pittsburgh/blue collar toughness
- No bullshit coach Chuck Noll from Cleveland
- Italian-American RB Franco Harris from Jersey who was a star for Penn State (NYC's favorite big time college football team due to proximity and Brooklyn boy Paterno)
- Vietnam vet/Purple Heart-receiving, Catholic RB Rocky Bleier who nearly had his leg blown off after his rookie season and was captain of a national championship Notre Dame team
- Southern gunslinger HofFame QB
These above characteristics were huge in gaining fans, aside from the winning ways on the field. And add to that, aerial acrobatics of HofFamers Swann & Stallworth, an huge, impenetrable O-line, and a defense chock full of HofFamers... Jack Lambert, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, LC Greenwood (who should also be in the Hall).
It was just such a natural fit for the time 40+ years ago, and it has somehow persisted decades later.
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Hmm, I never really knew all of these details so thanks for laying it out like that. It's pretty interesting. Being born in the 80's, I knew that the Steelers had a huge winning streak back then but I didn't realize the connection that the team kind of embodied the rust belt at a time when this whole region of 50 million people was going through traumatic deindustrialization.
And the way you describe the makeup of the team sounds like it came from a well scripted sports movie designed to unite as many working class people and groups around the country as possible. No wonder the brand is so strong, I didn't realize.
I wonder why it is still relevant though? I don't know anyone in my generation who works in steel mills or any type of factory now. Should we update the team image to be a bunch of scrawny desk workers and software coders?