Steelers Nation braved cold weather to stand in line for a pep rally to cheer on their beloved team’s advance to the playoffs, a pre-celebration to the team’s AFC Wild Card game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Coming in from as far away as Wyoming, the backs of children and grandparents alike blazed black and yellow as hometown favorites like Jerome “The Bus” Bettis and comedian Billy Gardell took to the stage to wind up the crowd.
Fans sing in unison at during a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. The team will host the Miami Dolphins in an AFC Wild Card game on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Heinz Field. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Christina Sims, 33, of Glendale, waits in line in her black and yellow socks to join in on a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. People claiming allegiance to Cincinnati, California, and even Wyoming were part of the evening’s crowd, in to celebrate their allegiance to Steelers Nation. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Tony Coleman, left, 29, and his wife Stacey, 32, of Wilson, N.C. pose for a photo as they attend a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. The Colemans traveled all the way from down south for a week of celebrating their beloved Steelers. “We’re born Steelers fans,” said Mrs. Coleman, who says there are a good many Steelers fans in North Carolina. “We don’t have this energy at home, this is awesome right here.” (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome “The Bus” Bettis waves a Terrible Towel as he takes to the stage at a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Pittsburgh Steelers “Ultimate Fan” Bud Recktewald, 75, of Whitehall, wears his classic oversized sunglasses at a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. Recktewald is recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the “Ultimate Steelers Fan,” and carries his own trading cards with him to events. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Finn Beier, 9, of Shadyside, cheers from the balcony at Stage AE during his first Steelers playoff pep rally on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 on the North Shore. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Comedian Billy Gardell of the television show “Mike and Molly” tries his hand at drumming with the Pittsburgh Steeline at a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. Gardell is a Swissvale native with a well known love for the Steelers. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Self proclaimed “Pope Yinzer” Don Zadach, right, 50, of Jefferson, kisses his wife, Remy, 55, as they attend a playoff pep rally for the Steelers at Stage AE on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)A spotlight illuminates a man waving a Terrible Towel in the balcony of Stage AE as fans celebrate at a playoff pep rally for the Steelers on the North Shore on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
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