Pittsburgh Steelers fans are some of the most diehard in the
nation and do you know what most of them wouldn’t give for a chance
to go to Super Bowl XL in Detroit on Sunday?
Well, all Lewis Run residents Paul and Michelle Kelly had to do
was test-drive a car – they didn’t even have to buy it!
By test-driving the car, the couple had their names entered in a
lottery for a pair of tickets to this 40th Super Bowl, and the
Kellys were lucky enough to have their names plucked. They’ll be at
Ford Field when the Steelers take on Seattle for the NFL
championship.
Michelle is a lifelong Steelers’ supporter and comes from a
family of Pittsburgh fans. Paul admitted he had plenty of offers
from people looking to purchase their tickets.
“Definitely, lots (of offers),” Paul laughed.
The Kellys, however, weren’t selling.
They left town for the Motor City on Friday and will actually be
staying nearby in Canada until venturing into Motown to sample the
Extra Large festivities and take in the game.
Those Steelers fans left behind here in McKean County will have
to make do with the TV sets in their living rooms.
But don’t think for a second that not being at the game might
dampen their enthusiasm in the slightest.
Bob Mongillo will be geared up in his Jerome Bettis jersey when
he goes with Bob Frantz and Mike Vinelli to Tony Lonzi’s for a
Super Bowl party.
“I’ll be wearing all my Steelers gear and have my Terrible
Towel,” Frantz said.
Retailers like Joe Brauser, owner of Mayer Brauser’s Store, said
sales of Steelers merchandise have been brisk leading up to the big
game.
“We sold out of AFC championship t-shirts and 24 Terrible
Towels,” Brauser said.
Still available were Jerome Bettis caps and Steeler jackets.
“I wish I had more stuff,” Brauser declared.
Brauser is hoping to have Steeler license plates available as
well.
Brauser said if the Steelers win the Super Bowl, he will have
NFL championship t-shirts for sale next week.
Other local businesses are also excited about the upcoming
game.
At the New Willlows Restaurant, owners Cathy and Doug Yohe will
be serving a buffet for Steelers fans and holding a bonfire. In
addition, the game will be televised outside on a big screen
TV.
“We are a Steelers bar,” Cathy pointed out. “We are all decked
out in Steelers stuff. We are all big fans of the Steelers. We have
been hyped about this from the get-go.”
Bradford resident Wade Robertson and some of his colleagues from
Control Chief are heading to Obi, N.Y., for a Super Bowl party.
Residents from Bradford, Kane, Olean, N.Y., and Arcade, N.Y., will
be in attendance.
“At work, it’s an everyday conversation,” Robertson commented.
“We are concerned about them (Steelers) shutting down the run.
“But nobody likes the fact the Steelers are favored,” Robertson
said. “We don’t like being favored.
“Everyone at the party will be wearing their Steelers jerseys
and waving their Terrible Towels.”
While most Pittsburgh fans will be partying up Sunday afternoon,
some Steeler faithful might just relax at home.
Bradford High boys basketball coach Dave Fuhrman, a native of
the Pittsburgh area and Steeler season ticketholder, plans to watch
the game from the quiet of his own living room – focusing on the
contest rather than the distractions of a big party.
No matter the plans for Super Bowl XL, each and every fan hopes
there is a lot to cheer about.
