Steelers Game Notes

Back in the day I worked in the West Virginia University Sports Communications department (that’s where I met my future hubby). Every Sunday during football season, we would need to submit game notes. These are little factoids that would go into a packet of information for the media.

Typically, game notes are read by the sports broadcasters during the games. So intern slaves like me basically make the sports anchors look smart!

Impress the folks at your Super Bowl party with some impressive fun facts.

• The Steelers have a large celebrity fan base that includes PRESIDENT OBAMA, Snoop Dog, SNL’s Seth Meyers, Burt Reynolds, Adam Sandler, Bret Michaels (Poison), Michael Keaton, Christina Aguilera (sang national anthem at a game when she was young!),

• Owned by the same family since they became a franchise in 1933, Art Rooney bought the team for $2,500 – an amount he won at Saratoga racetrack.

• Yeah, I know. A lot of teams have rally towels. But seriously, that tradition was created in Pittsburgh. The Terrible Towel was invited by longtime local sports anchor Myron Cope (he died last year on my birthday…sniff). All the proceeds from sales of the towel to go Allegheny Valley School – a home for people with developmental disabilities. It just so happens that my old friend Colin’s dad is the CEO of this school.

• According to ESPN.com (via Post-Gazette.com), there are 1,500 “Steelers bars” across the nation and around the globe – two in Thailand, two in Costa Rica and one in Peru.

• Pittsburgh is known for being a “steel town,” so naturally that is where the team bears it name. However, you may not know where the logo comes from. The three stars are based on the Steelmark logo that was created by the American Iron and Steel Institute (now knows as USX). The logo contains three “hypocycloids” or diamond shapes. A marketing campaign said that the logo had the following meaning “Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure and widens your world.” That’s a little too deep for me. One more fact – the Steelers are the only NFL team to have their logo on only one side of the helmet.

• The Steelers are the 5th oldest franchise in the NFL. They are one of the only teams in the leauge that doesn't retire past player's numbers and does not have cheerleaders.

• The Cardinals offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, was a ball boy for the Steelers in the 1970’s. Todd was born in Pittsburgh.


(Sources: freaonomics.blogs.nytimes.com, steelers.com, ESPN.com, kdka.com, PHOTOS: Eurweb.com, daylife.com)

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I’m From Pittsburgh

When reader Brian and I are together, he often introduces me to new people. One of the first questions from the new acquaintance is “Where are you from?” I proudly reply, “I’m from Pittsburgh!”
Now, it’s hard to translate my speaking tone through writing, but I’ll make an attempt. When I say “I’m from Pittsburgh,” it comes out like “I’M, from PITTSburgh.” While I don’t do any hand gestures, it almost seems that I am pointing both thumbs at myself or swinging one arm back and forth. I get very excited to say those three words, “I’m from Pittsburgh.” As a Pittsburghian, I am obliviously excited for the Super Bowl.

When it comes to the Super Bowl, I often encourage people to incorporate food and beverages from either the teams playing in the big game OR items from the host city into their party plan. Today, that’s what I’m going to suggest for you!

* If you are serving traditional game food like burgers and hot dogs, you must always include Heinz Ketchup on your list on condiments. Heinz is such a global brand, but some may forget that it all started in Pittsburgh.

* Pittsburghers like simple, all-American food. Give a black and gold fan a good sandwich and an Iron City and you are his/her friend for life. One of the most famous signature Pittsburgh dishes is a Primanti-style sandwich - think two thick slices of Italian bread and a meat topped with coleslaw and French fries. Yes, the fries and slaw is located between the bread. My mouth is watering.

* The Steel City was a hot spot for immigrants way back. According to Wikipedia, Salvic immigrants brought over their recipe for pierogies. If you are like reader Brian and not familiar with this dish, it’s basically a “boiled dumpling of dough stuffed with varying ingredients (wikipedia).” The most popular filling is mashed cheesy, potatoes. Pittsburghers love pierogies so much that the Pirates have Pierogie races during baseball games (I love Sauerkraut Sal). Mrs. T’s makes a frozen variety that is most likely sold at your local grocery store.

* Eat & Park is a signature diner in the Western PA area. It’s a little short notice, but for future reference E&P ships its famous Smiley Cookies across the U.S. You can most likely duplicate the look of these cookies at home and tell your friends stories about dumb things you did at an Eat & Park when you were drunk.


It’s SO easy to incorporate Phoenix food into your party because Southwestern cooking is so popular.

* Don’t feel like cooking? Have your party catered by Chipotle or your favorite local Mexican diner.

* Get your drink on with Super Bowl Rita – a signature margarita. For those who like beer, buy some Corona. If you are feelin’ ballsy, ask that your invite be a +1 and bring your friend Pat. That’s Pat Rone (aka Patron). Knock back some Pat each time your favorite team scores a touchdown.

* Everyone loves a nacho or a taco bar. If you are having a party with a later kick off time, I say keep it simple and stick to the nacho bar as a snack. Most likely your guests will have already eaten dinner.

(Sources: wikipedia, Picture: pghhistory.org & me : )

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Shot of Brandi’s Favorite Looks of the Golden Globes

Top Looks

* Eva Mendes: Gorgeous. Great dress, great jewels, great hair – I obsess.
* Christina Applegate: Love the color, love the necklace.
* Maria Menounos: If a dress has ruffles, rosettes or bows, I am almost guaranteed to love it. That is the case with Maria’s

Honorable Mentions
* The color of Freida Pinto’s (Slum Dog Millionare) dress is amazing with her skin/hair tone.
* Miley Cyrus’s look was very age-appropriate.
* Way to rock the patterns Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jenna Fischer.

Yuck
Debra Messing: While the dress isn’t that hideous, I think I am not a fan of the hair/makeup styling.
Marisa Tomei: Why Marissa, why?
Renee Zellweger: Hated it.

Open Letters
Angie – you’re a bore.
J Lo – we’ve seen that before.
Rumer – sorry your mom is so much hotter than you.

(sources: goldenglobes.org, people.com)

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