So disappointing.
Heading into the game, we were stoked and ready for a great match-up. The crowd wasn't as into it as I'd hoped, but I figured they'd come around. Some of them probably weren't regulars since it was a night game, and maybe they just need a few good plays to get rowdy.
But alas, the Steelers had some terrible flaws. I won't dwell on the lack of first downs or how the wide receivers couldn't hold onto the ball. Or how Troy Polamalu read nearly every single play opposite and was never on the correct side of the field. Or how the defense forgot to put coverage on any of New England's wide receivers. We will discuss none of that.
Instead, we will discuss the six jagoff New England fans that had the seats in front of us. Oh. My. God. Completely obnoxious. And they weren't even drinking.
Now I've been to a lot of games (my dad has been to a lot more), and it's not uncommon for someone rooting for the opposing team to be sitting nearby. And 98% of the time, it's a cordial environment where they recognize they are in the opponent's home, and while they can be excited for the team, they should be respectful. Even Cleveland Browns fans understand that.
But these guys were so obnoxious, disrespectful, and just plain irritating. Well, except for one. He wasn't bad. The guy in front of me, however, was President of the I'm a Jerk 20-Something Guy from New England club. The type of Patriot fan who thinks Tom Brady is the second coming, and only likes football because New England is doing well. Once the Patriots lose a few games, all sports energy will be focused on the Red Sox, Celtics or Bruins (in that order). He reminded me of every guy I see in Harvard Square who will walk on the wrong side of the sidewalk, run into you, and they yell at you for being in the way. Cocky, over-confident and needing to be taken down a peg. (By the way, this was my opinion even before the scoring started, so trust me when I say these observations are not because I'm bitter at the loss. I'll be the first one to tell you the Steelers played terrible football on Sunday night.)
So Captain Jagoff and his cronies are starting to tick me off. My reaction was to shut them up by rendering them inaudible. So I cheered. And yelled. And screamed for my team. Yes, I'm hoarse, but I don't care. I was louder than them and at least I can say I cheered for my team regardless of how they played. Dave told me later that apparently they were laughing at my cheers and even recorded them. Frankly, I don't care, but it does illustrate my point--how much can you be focused on the game and cheer for your team when you're allowing yourself to be entertained by a chick in a pink coat and hat?
The worst was when my dad practically had to hold me back from completely ripping them a new one. They committed the cardinal sin of standing up while play was going one and then not sitting down when asked (politely).
Me: Sit down, I want to see the play.
Captain Jagoff (still standing): It was a fair catch, it's ok.
Me: No it's not ok, sit down so I can watch the game.
Captain Jagoff: What? It's a football game, I can stand.
Me: No, I paid as much for my seats as you did for yours, so when I ask you to sit down, please do it.
Then another one of the charter members for jerkiness chimed in. And then, before I stood up to give him a real piece of my mind, my dad stepped in.
Dad: Sit down, turn around and watch the game, or I'll have you thrown out.
Jagoff Junior: Why? What I do?
Dad: Just turn around or I'll have you thrown out.
Captain Jagoff (Best line ever): Dude, he knows someone in security, chill out.
This was good, since I was one step away from going to get a security guard. Although Dad's comeback line would have been, "Yeah, my son's the Head of Security." A total lie, but these jerks would've bought it.
They continued to be jerks and Captain Jagoff tried to get a rise out of me when we left by calling after me, rubbing in the pain from the loss, but I didn't give them the satisfaction. If only because it would have cost my parents' their season tickets when I punched him in the throat. At least I had the dignity to not stoop to their level.
But does drive me crazy that even at Heinz Field, I couldn't shake the plague of the jerks riddled throughout New England.
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