Root Root Root For Our Home Team

Never was there a more appropriate theme for a sports team than the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether you play or root for a Pittsburgh sports franchise, you're forever part of a fraternity that knows no limits. I know I rag on some local sports fans for taking their rooting interests to ridiculous levels, but it is refreshing to see our local sports heroes become part of the community.

The Pens support their Pittsburgh sporting brethren. And their brothers return the favor...

Whoa, wait a second...let's take a look at these last few pictures for a moment. There's one common theme, they're all members of the Steelers organization. But to quote the immortal Sesame Street...one of these things is not like the others. Mike Tomlin, Casey Hampton, and Jeff Reed are all regular fixtures in the crowd at Mellon Arena. As for Little Ben, when he makes an "appearance" at a Pens' game, it's in Mario's luxury box. And every time he shows up to a game, he just happens to be part of an in-game interview. It's this aloofness and elite sense of entitlement that rubs some Pittsburghers like myself the wrong way. From Empty-Netters:

"Hmmm..... Ben Roethlisberger was just shown on the video screen. He's offered a nice, polite applause. James Farrior is then shown and he gets a louder applause."

But you gotta at least give Ben credit for rooting for the home team. When one of these heroes turns his back on the 'Burgh, the wrath is unforgiving.

Example #1: William Cowher

Bill Cowher was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He coached the Pittsburgh Steelers, the most beloved franchise in sports, and led them to a Super Bowl title. He achieved a God-like status that eludes most sports figures. So why would he turn his back on his hometown and openly root for the team in his new digs? It's baffling to most, and there has to be some sort of alterior motive behind all of this. I never was a die-hard Cowher fan, he was too Schottenheimer-like for my tastes, but I didn't hate the guy. Now I'm starting to wonder...