That doesn't mean they're a religion, though.
They're a football franchise that is in business to win games and maximize revenue. That's why they were willing to take the risk of signing the controversial Michael Vick.
They had a sudden and urgent need for an experienced backup quarterback because Bruce Gradkowski was injured. Vick had a need for a job after no team even invited to camp to try out for a spot.
Damaged goods. Desperate buyer. The deal was made.
The Steelers are in a position a lot of sports franchises don't enjoy. They sell every ticket, every year. Their TV ratings are through the roof. There isn't anyone in the region who doesn't have some type of Steelers merchandise.
Newborn babies are wrapped in Terrible Towels. Old men go to the grave with one in their casket.
If there's any organization that can withstand a controversial signing, it's the Steelers. Their ticket office is the loneliest place in town.
The Steelers just added 2,700 seats to Heinz Field and sold them to people who had been on the season ticket waiting list for 20 years.
Supposedly there are 20,000 "signatures" on an online petition urging the Steelers to reverse their decision and release Vick. That means nothing, because that's the way online petitions are viewed.
Some animal rights organizations announced they will no longer do business with the Steelers. The hard fact is those organizations get more from an association with the Steelers than the team would ever get.
No major sponsors have gone away. If anyone returned their season tickets for a refund, it probably took less than five minutes to re-sell them.
Vick's signing isn't benevolence by the Steelers. This isn't about rehabilitating a criminal. They need him to fill a particular spot on the roster. They think he can still play football well enough to help them.
That's all this is, a team signing a player it believes can be useful. The Steelers mission statement can be summed up fairly easily: They're in business to win games and reap all the benefits that come with that success.
Vick is now part of the organization because they think he can help them achieve those goals. It's nothing more than that.
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--DUMB AND DUMBER
When the Steelers open the season in New England in less than two weeks, kicker Shaun Suisham and center Maurkice Pouncey won't play. Injuries.
Running back Le'Veon Bell and receiver Martavis Bryant won't play, either. Stupidity. Bell and Bryant have been suspended for violation of the substance abuse policy, specifically marijuana.
Beyond the issue of missing games now, both players are in the system. Future violations will result in harsher penalties.
And why should anyone feel confident they'll be smart enough to avoid future violations?
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--TELLING THE TRUTH
Credit Bob Walk with some candor on a Pirates telecast last week.
Greg Brown noted the gloomy atmosphere at the Miami Marlins park -- sparse attendance, losing team, lack of atmosphere -- and noted it seemed a lot like Montreal did before the Expos moved out.
Walk quickly added, "Or Three Rivers Stadium in the mid-1980s."
True enough. Things are going great for the Pirates these days. The team is chasing its third consecutive postseason berth, the stands are packed and the enthusiasm is palpable.
It's easy to forget it isn't always like that.
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