I am a football fan.

I like college ball, and I really like to watch the NFL games.  In fact, I like to watch most any football game, truth be told.  I am not sure why… but I do.

So.  NFL.  I have some favorite teams.  Most of my friends know I am a Steelers fan.  But I really like the Kansas City Chiefs.  My two best teams.

Others that I pull for:  St. Louis Rams.  Cleveland Browns.  Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals.

Still other teams…. well… there are a few that  I absolutely can’t stand.  But for the most part…. a bunch of the teams just fall in the middle of the road for me.

But.. those Steelers.  I like them for a lot of reasons.   The fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL, the Steelers were founded on July 8, 1933 by Arthur Joseph Rooney.  Art Rooney, the Chief.

Originally named the Pittsburgh Pirates… they were one of 10 teams in the NFL.   These days… just four other of the original teams are still around:    Chicago (Arizona) Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and New York Giants.

When the team started, in 1933  …. they weren’t so great.  In fact… it took them 40 years to win their first Division Title.  So they are a team that didn’t lay down.  They finally got around to winning a few games here and there.

How about that?

But here are two more reasons I like them.

1. No cheerleaders.  That’ right.  No exploitative, scantily clad women, shaking their booties on the sidelines.  Don’t get me wrong.  I think Cheerleading is a great sport.  But when it turns into the Playboy Bunnies with Pom-Poms… well…   just got to a strip joint for that.

2. The Terrible Towels.  Now.  Before you cast judgement on the Towel… hear this. Myron Cope, the Steelers’ announcer, made sure the towels are swinging in the right direction.

Funds from the sale of the towels go to the Allegheny Valley School for the Disabled.  The fund has pulled in more then $2.5 million in royalties… which have all gone to the school.

Go Pirates.  Go.

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” – Albert Einstein