Beer We Go Steelers

I was watching all the critics kill Ben and the Steelers as a team for that matter this week and I thought about something that one of my true heroes once said:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Something, occurred to me this week as I kind of hid out and got over the loss. We are damn lucky to be Steelers fans. This season was a great ride and I am so proud to have been a part of it in some small way. If I asked you this time last year would we be here no one would have said yes.

It also spurred me to do a season review of BWG Steelers and recount my favorite moments:

My Favorite “road” game: 

This was Nathaniel’s hands down in Rochester. The Bartenders were awesome as our crowd was extremely rowdy, the company was great and it is a true Steelers bar after some questionable years!  

 We had a great time with the local BWG crew and my business associates all had fun rooting on the Steelers. My friend and client Penny N. saw me sitting at a table of all Steelers fans and said,”Man you really are a man of the people.” Of course I am slightly ad-libbing because let me tell you it was flowing that day!!! I of course lost everyone’s name pictured here and hope they will write in. Afterwards we brought BWG merriment to the AHL Americans Hockey game. (We were tossed by the second period.) I have had a long standing argument with Mike Rooney on the merits of Rochester as a city, I yield to him now and must say ROCHESTER IS STEELER’S COUNTRY!!!

Honorable Mention: The Stadium in Saratoga!

My Favorite Road Game: It was only an exhibition game but tailgating with the New York Rooney’s at the opening of the New Meadowlands Stadium was kind of special. I had a great time and the Steelers smacked up the Giants real good. I love beating the Giants because they, like the Steelers are footbal royalty. They’re a great franchise who remind me of the Steelers of the NFC. Plus living in NY the Giants fans are like the Steelers fans so it is a great rivalry. I love rubbing Ben v. Eli in their face as deep down they wish they took Ben first. This extended my Giants wins streak in NY/NJ and I didn’t have to fight Mike or his dad which works out nicely when you need a ride home! Only down side was the idiot liquor control agent who tried to pick a fight with me because of the Steelers gear. The Giants security staff stepped in and handled the matter fairly. I was appreciative!

My Favorite “Home Game”: Divisional Playoff game at KGB’s! Had the crew there and was excited as the Steelers came back and beat the Ravens in one of the greatest comebacks in football playoff history! KGB put out a ridiculous spread of food and we had a great time.

My Favorite Home Game: This was easy because I only went to one game in the ‘Burgh. I had to see the Steelers beat Cincinatti. Out of all my past trips to the ‘Burgh, my most dissapointing was the loss to the Bengals in 09. 

This Year I knew it would be different, despite the fact that it was raining and the Steelers started out very slow, it was a great game and one of my favorites I have attended! The only thing that was dissapointing is that Tom and I didn’t hang with Captain Tailgate at the game. The Captain drank a bottle of his namesake (Captain Morgan) the night before and proceeded to tell everyone the way it is at a holiday party. Man he was a jerk that night!

The Post which stirred the most controversy: Big Ben Rides Again! Every week we field several comments and questions about the postings. That post still gets comments as does the next week when I “defended” Ben. We were congratulated and vilified and it really spurred the popularity of the site.We will continue to post for the whole offseason and hope you will stay with us!

My Favorite Snack for any game: This is going to be more controversial then the Ben post. I also risk drawing the ire of my KGB as she cooked up a storm this year and made every game day an experience with great food. But, I am going with Steeler Nachos by Jackie! Jackie R. is like my sister as I grew up with her and know her since I am 12 years old! Her nacho’s on looks alone garner the award.  

Honorable Mention: KGB’s Saugage and Peppers and Fried Chicken Cutlets. During the Dolphins game E ROC and I ate like 4 pounds of them. Jason from BWG Pittsburgh; Pierogies are out of this world! A game day staple everytime I come to the ‘Burgh! 

President Tom Janicki, The Captain and I are going to do a season recap together next week.