1. Some organizations have a winning “culture” and that matters. Pittsburgh is a small-market city but the Steelers have now won more Super Bowls than any other team. The organization and their fans expect to win.
2. Maturity matters. Did you see Larry Fitzgerald crying on the sideline or punching his coach at halftime when he only had one catch? Please take note, Ocho Cinco. Maturity matters.
3. Players matter. Steelers owner Dan Rooney was quoted today on SI.com as saying, “Just have good players. That is the big thing. Players are the ones who do it for you. You can't win without the players. Remember that." I can't disagree with that and hope the Brown Family took note.
4. Fans matter. I noticed that, after the game, Mike Tomlin gave immediate credit to Steeler Nation. As a Bengal fan, as much it pains me to say it, I have total respect for their fans. They bring it every week. Everywhere!
Yesterday afternoon, in Cincinnati, my family and I wanted to see what it was like to be part of Steeler Nation. We stopped by Martinos on Vine in Corryville. The bar is decorated in yellow and black and they serve Iron City Beer, Pittsburgh-Style Wings, Pierogies and Primanti Brothers-Style sandwiches. As I raised my Iron City, I was struck by the question of whether a similar Bengals-themed bar exists in Pittsburgh? Having lived on the East Coast for a number of years before returning to Cincinnati, I know that, at times, I felt like I was Bengal Nation. This feeling, could, however, be attributed to the fact that no one ever seems to leave Cincinnati.
A final note on the Terrible Towel. I hate the Terrible Towel, (absolutely hate it!) but did anyone see that the inventor, the late great voice of the Steelers Myron Cope, bequeathed rights to the Terrible Towel to Pittsburgh-area charities? Myron’s gift generated over $2.5 million this season. It just adds to Cope’s legacy as a guy who loved his team and his city. Something to think about that the next time a drunken black and yellow-clad fan waves one in your face at PBS.