My dad and brother have been Steelers fans for as long as I can remember. As I child, my brother idolized Terry Bradshaw and every Christmas, something Steelers was under the tree for someone.
My dad has wanted to go to Heinz Field and see his beloved Steelers in their hometown for several years now. We've all talked about it for several years, but never made any definite plans. Finally, this year, we made it happen!! I made my siblings pick the weekend we would travel to Pittsburgh, because their lives are a bit crazier than mine.
Game and airline tickets were purchased, hotel rooms were reserved, and that was about it!! We had no idea what we would do with our 48 hours in Pittsburg other than watch the game. None of us had time to plan anything other than what we did. Until we landed, we didn't even know how we were going to get to the hotel!!
It was a perfect plan!! Laura and just started asking people in the airport and on the plane where we should visit and eat, and we pretty much went with that!!
Laura and I flew from KCI and my dad and brother, Shawn flew from St. Louis and then met up at the hotel just a couple of blocks from the stadium. Pittsburg pretty much tailgates the ENTIRE weekend the team is in town. Our hotel parking lot was full of tailgaters from the time we arrived on Saturday night until we called it a night on Sunday night.
Once everyone had arrived and settled in, we headed down to hotel lobby to wait for a shuttle to take us to dinner. The tv was tuned into the Royals playing in Toronto, but losing. We finally started doing something and our family started cheering loudly for them. Unbeknownst to us, the whole front two rows in front of the tv were Blue Jays fans. They quickly turned around and gave us quite the scowling look while donning their Blue Jays t-shirts and hats. The Royals totally won that night!!
We ate dinner at The Church Brew Works. It was an old Catholic church that they had converted to a brewery and pizzeria. It was amazing!! The had kept several of the historical elements like the pews and art work. And on the eighth day, man created beer was their motto.
Sunday morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel and then headed to Heinz Field. I was very thankful we attended a game in October, because I don't think I could have wore or packed any more layers!! Heinz Field is located right on the riverfront and is surrounded by gorgeous green spaces and memorabilia. It was quite incredible to see all the fans come in on boats and from all over the country.
We were able to get some great pictures near the field, before heading up a zillion stairs to our seats. The game with the Arizona Cardinals was back and forth and back and forth. The Steelers quarterback Ben Rothsengber was out with an injury and Michael Vick was the second string quarterback and then he got hurt in the third quarter. The third string quarterback, Landry Jones, came in and everyone cheered wildly for him, because Pittsburg apparently does not like Michael Vick. The crowd around us made it quite evident!! We had a few crazy drunks around us, but we made it through without any punches or beer spilled on us!!
The last five minutes were what made the ENTIRE trip!! Landry Jones made a short pass to Martavias Bryant and he ran it all the way down the field for a touchdown. It felt like one of those surreal movie scenes when everything stands still and the moment feels like it will never end. I kept cheering and screaming, looking at both my siblings, witnessing pure joy in my dad's face, and crying. It was a memory I hope I NEVER forget.
My family has been through so much, we've put ourselves through too much, but yet, in moments like these, those things don't mean anything!! In the last five years, I've seen such a transformation in the hearts my dad, my brother, sister, and I, that can only be by the grace of God. I love that our family can now laugh uncontrollably, cry unashamedly, and completely enjoy each other's company. I truly love and adore my family!!
