Kickoff Weekend
September 7th, 2008
Season opener: Heinz Field. A warm September day means there’s lots of skin. Here is just one example showing a classic Pittsburgh tattoo.
Before the game I wandered a little in the parking lots and came across a one-of -a-kind grill. Brad and Willy told me the story over a beer, but Gerry later told me more about the making of the grill.This was a laser-etched grill that had the Steelers logo patterned across the whole surface. It was heavily engineered and manufactured by Marstrand industries in Crafton. It cost about $500 to make ten years ago. Luckily I found it had been cleaned one or twice in that ten year period.
I love the home opener at Heinz Field. I wake up in the morning like it’s Christmas day. I get so pumped for real, full-speed, smash-mouth football, that I almost forget to bring sunscreen. This year’s opponent was the Houston Texans, who were supposed to be an up-and-coming AFC South Powerhouse. Alas that was not the case. It was an easy Steelers win, and as the September Sun wore on, I found myself starting to lounge like I was at a baseball game, more spectator than participant. And after a while I started daydreaming of the months to come, when football will be played in football weather, with snow and rain and wind and the bitter elements. Then it will really feel like Christmas.
Kickoff Weekend