I’ve always enjoyed getting together with fellow Steelers fans—at training camp, home games, and especially on the road. We come from all walks of life. Young and old. Men, women, and everyone in between. American, German, Mexican. A very diverse crowd united by one thing: supporting the Black and Gold. Our passion sometimes leads to big disagreements, but we’re all hoping for the same outcome—another championship season. We see different paths to the same destination.
Never Surprised Running Into Steelers Fans
I’ve developed the habit of carrying my Terrible Towel almost everywhere. This past Saturday, my wife Sue and I took a day trip to rural Virginia near the Manassas Battlefield. We started with lunch at Sweetwater Tavern in Centreville — excellent baby back ribs that paired perfectly with the Crazy Jackass Ale brewed on site.
Then we headed to Vint Hill Farms for the Cold War Museum. The place was packed with memorabilia, and we had two very enthusiastic docents — both military veterans from that era — who made the visit special. We wrapped up the evening listening to Sue’s friend from her Penn State days, Chris Fotos, performing at Cedar Run Brewery in Nokesville.
Chris sounded great, and it was fun seeing his friends turn out. (Bittersweet note: Cedar Run is closing at the end of the month, but they still have live music scheduled for May 30.)
I’m never surprised to run into Steelers fans, no matter where I go. In just a few hours, I met four fellow fans who spotted my Terrible Towel. None were wearing Steelers gear or anything identifying them as Pittsburghers.
At the Vint Hill Craft Winery, an employee came right up and started talking about Mike McCarthy, the draft, and Aaron Rodgers. Turns out he graduated from high school in Homewood, joined the military because manufacturing jobs had left the area in the ’70s and ’80s, and retired in Virginia. Still a die-hard Steelers fan after all these years.
At Cedar Run Brewery, a guy from another table came over after seeing my Pittsburgh hat and Terrible Towel. He’s from South Carolina but grew up a Steelers fan because so many great players from there (Donnie Shell, Bennie Cunningham, Javon Hargrave, Mason Rudolph, Rico Dowdle) have worn the Black and Gold. He even mentioned riding up to games in a yellow school bus filled with South Carolina Steelers fans!
Then a couple from nearby called over. They had lived in Upper St. Clair with family in Aliquippa before moving to Virginia to be near their daughter and grandkids. They still travel back for games.
Common Theme
All three random conversations circled back to the same topics: the Mike McCarthy hire, how the draft went, and what’s going on with Aaron Rodgers.
Here’s my perspective as your average Steelers fan:
Was Mike McCarthy The Right Hire?
We won’t really know until five years from now. McCarthy was hired to keep the Steelers competitive and to find and develop the next franchise quarterback. Art Rooney II doesn’t want the team to wait another 20 years for a franchise quarterback, as we did between Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. McCarthy is clearly vested in the team — you could see his emotional response at his introduction. That means something.
He does not want to let the city of Pittsburgh down. I believe he’ll stay for five years and provide continuity as ownership transitions from the third to the fourth generation.
How Was The Steelers Draft This Year?
Too early for final grades, but Omar Khan filled several big gaps. Two offensive linemen with long-term potential (Gennings Dunker and first-rounder Max Iheanachor), help in the secondary with Daylen Everette, and a run-stuffer in Gabriel Rubio. Reaching a bit for Drew Allar at QB and Kaden Wetjen as a returner shows they’re building for the future. If seven or more of these guys make the roster—and a couple become starters—it’ll be a strong class.
What’s up with Aaron Rodgers?
Everything we’re hearing from Mike McCarthy, Omar Khan, and Art Rooney II is positive. I believe his agent is negotiating what’s likely his last NFL contract. Once that’s signed, Rodgers will be all-in. Yes, there are concerns about his age, attitude, and possible influence on the young quarterbacks. But his teammates consistently describe him as a consummate professional who is respected in the locker room. Going with Rodgers in 2026 gives us the best chance to win now and provides an elite mentorship year for Will Howard and Drew Allar. One more season with a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback running the offense will be an invaluable immersion course for the young guys.
Conclusion
We all have opinions, but none of us has a crystal ball. The 2026 season and beyond will tell us if we’re on the right track. In the middle of nowhere, Virginia, I met a small, delightful group of Steelers fans. If you live outside Pittsburgh, carry a Terrible Towel or something Black and Gold. Our fans really are everywhere. Rep the city proudly. Being a Yinzer is great—just don’t be a jagoff.
Here We Go!
Your Song Selection
Chris Fotos opened his set with Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talking” (the version made famous by Nilsson). It seemed perfect — everybody really was talking to me about the Steelers that day. They always shadow my mind.
If you are in Northern Virginia, give Chris Fotos a listen sometime.
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