Not just for this season, but for everything.
So, for the next few minutes, or however long it takes you to read this article, put aside the most recent competition and focus on the message at hand. Some of these reasons to be grateful are based on the 2025 roster, while others are more structured around the organization and this history that we’ve had with the team.
Let’s do it…
they are always competitive
When some Steelers fans hear about Mike Tomlin’s postseason losing streak, they become angry. Why? Because they haven’t been to a Super Bowl since 2010 and haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. I get all that, but I can’t help but be grateful that the team keeps looking every year. Can you imagine being a fan of a team like the Carolina Panthers? Or maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars? I know it could be better, especially by our standards, but I’d rather see a team in the mix than watch an NFL mock draft any day of the week in November.
Rich history and tradition
Whether you’re talking about the Ernie Stautner era, the 1970s dynasty, the Blitzberg era of the 1990s, the success of the early 2000s or even the Killer B era, the Steelers’ history is steeped in tradition. The success the Steelers have achieved throughout their existence since 1933 is something not many organizations have seen, and for that, I am grateful. All the earlier eras have laid the foundation for the current team to build its proverbial home. In case of trophy, will that house ultimately get the trophy? Let’s hope…
strong defense
When people think of the Steelers they think of a lot of things, but defense is almost always at the top of people’s lists. Even if they aren’t fans of the team, if you ask people to say the first thing that comes to their mind when they think of the Steelers the answer will usually be “defense.” It began with the Steel Curtain unit in the 1970s and continued through the Troy Polamalu and Company era. The Steelers defense to this day is one of the best in the league, and I like the fact that the team always brings it on the defensive side of the ball. The game has changed a lot since the 1970s, but the Steelers’ famous defense hasn’t changed at all.
It’s a family tradition
Sunday was a very normal day in my family. Church, then Steelers football. Actually as a young kid I was more concerned about playing the game than watching other people play, but as I became more involved with the game I started to become more interested in the Steelers. Our dad and his friends used to throw boisterous playoff parties, where we’d bring beers to guys and high-five after big plays. There was nothing better than following a huge sack on a crucial third down to turn the tide in the Steelers’ favor. That’s what fascinated me and now I try to pass that passion on to my children and the next generation of fans…
next generation of fans
When talking about the next generation of fans, I often have to remind myself how many of our readers/listeners are young fans. Fans who won’t even remember the early stages of the Ben Roethlisberger era. Fans who know Mike Tomlin only as the team’s head coach. I’m grateful for this generation’s dedication to the team as we pass the torch from one generation to the next…it’s a really important part of the process.
My role in covering the team
When I started writing about the Steelers in 2013, I didn’t get paid to do so. When I finally found my way to BTSC in 2014, I didn’t get paid anything. I slowly turned my passion into a side hustle when I took over as editor of BTSC, and now with the creation of FFSN I can say it’s part of my full-time job. I do not take this responsibility lightly and thoroughly enjoy this work. One thing I can say proudly is that we are fans of the team. We’re not working for any outlet or newspaper that has some stance that we have to follow. There are no company conditions that we have to follow. We all have different opinions and that’s what makes this place great, but we all want the team to win. We do not have to pretend neutrality, we still bleed black and gold.
Six Super Bowls…and counting!
Last, but certainly not least, I am grateful for the Steelers’ six Super Bowl titles and more to come. I firmly believe that I will see another Super Bowl win in my lifetime, and I can’t wait to watch it with my kids the same way I got to watch it with my family. Six Super Bowls may have been years ago, but as fans of the black and gold it’s still something to be proud of and grateful for.
So I’m grateful to the Pittsburgh Steelers this Thanksgiving, but I’m also grateful to everyone who is a part of the Steel Curtain Network in some way. Those who contribute content and those who consume that content in some way. I can’t thank you all enough! I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving, and here’s to us Steelers!
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