FanNation - The Republic of Sport

You know, you have the right to describe the Steelers as "America's Team" all you want to. You have the right to proclaim them as the "World's Team", or whatever you wish. I won't argue with you, even as a Cowboy fan.

However, you should get your facts straight. And, I quote you;

....."From what I understand the Cowboys were labeled 'America's Team' in the 70's because of the big phat Star that exist on their helmet but more importantly they won a few Super Bowls (2) during that time and the TV ratings for all their games hit the roof in relation to viewership;"............

Wrong answer, my friend. Let me quote "America's Team" as per Wikipedia. I probably could get the same information anywhere else, but this one will suffice, for now.

Quote;

"Bob Ryan, the Vice President and editor-in-chief of NFL Films, coined this for the Cowboys in 1979. After preparing and editing the team???s 1978 season highlight film he had to come up with a title for the film. [6] He was quoted as saying:

I wanted to come up with a different twist on their team highlight film. I noticed then, and had noticed earlier, that wherever the Cowboys played, you saw people in the stands with Cowboys jerseys and hats and pennants. Plus, they were always the national game on television.

During the Cowboys' first game of the 1979 season, a nationally televised game against the St. Louis Cardinals (which Dallas won 22-21), the television announcer for CBS introduced the Cowboys as America???s Team and the name stuck.

Dallas's Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry originally did not approve of the appellation of America's Team. He felt that it would give opposing teams extra incentive to play harder. Eventually he gave in and actually came to like the name."

Unquote.

It's as simple as typing in "America's Team" in your google search engine, click on the Wikipedia one, and you will see word for word what I just quoted.

Not that I really care if you think the Steelers are better.......I won't argue with that. For now. The term "America's Team" is just a phrase anyway. The two times the 'Boys played the Steelers in the 70's, both games could have went either way. If Jackie Smith had not dropped a sure TD pass in the end zone, the result could have very well been different. I know.........I watched both times, in real time, and not just film.

Congratulations on your 6th win. Your team proved to be the best last year, but there are other years coming and other teams. However, the debate will never be settled..........rest assured of that.............:-)

Pittsburg Squeelers.

Really? Why does it bother yall so much. Everyone wants to take away that nickname. If you don't believe it to be true, fine, but you really want to apply it to the Steelers? Isn't that just sloppy seconds?

One day there will be three players with the last name Steele on, let's say the Ravens. Do you think they are going to try and assume the nickname Steele Curtain? Geesh.

We were first to the party, so we get the pretty girl. You can have her fat cousin.

Also, about the nicknames origin, they made a ton of nicknames for other teams to try and give some pizazz to the seasons in review. This is the one that happened to stick. Be glad the early 70's Steelers weren't perpetually stuck with:

Steelers, a bunch of turds.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060904221037AALLHYN

And do a search from time to time. Oakland and Dallas switch off betweent the two as to who sells the most team gear. So is Oakland right at the cusp of being America's team because they have a cool logo? Come on.

Go beat it to Steely McBeam, the 5th singer in the Village People.

Also, it should be noted, that the Cowboys gear isn't sold in Gas stations, large discount stores, and swap meets. Jones wanted to keep the Brand of the Cowboys as something worth having, so he makes a pretty penny each year by licensing the brand to only top wholesalers who sale high quality goods.

It sucks because I can't find a cheap shirt, but it's not a bad thing.

Nah the Steelers are not Americas team. The are "The Worlds" team. Let the Cowgirlies have plain old America. Steeler nation is world wide baby. Six rings and counting.

http://pittsburgh-blitz.com

osama bin laden has been seen wearing a steelers cap????? really????? you're proud of that???? lol idiot.

This is a worthless debate. As a Steelers fan, I don't care if the Steelers, Cowboys or any other team "owns" the name "America's Team", as it's a flawed and fictional title. Nobody truly can claim this title, as every team has it's own fan base.

What I do get satisfaction from is seeing opposing teams' stadiums taken over by terrible towels when the Steelers come to town, and the refreshing throwback style of ownership the Rooneys use and continue to have success with in the era where other owners like Jones, Snyder, Steinbrenner, Cuban, etc. try to buy championships every year. Loyalty, patience and character simply words that get tossed around allot but are seldom practiced by other franchises, while they are the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 05:49 AM ET  05.04 by perfect360

This is a worthless debate. As a Steelers fan, I don't care if the Steelers, Cowboys or any other team "owns" the name "America's Team", as it's a flawed and fictional title. Nobody truly can claim this title, as every team has it's own fan base.What I do get satisfaction from is seeing opposing teams' stadiums taken over by terrible towels when the Steelers come to town, and the refreshing throwback style of ownership the Rooneys use and continue to have success with in the era where other owners like Jones, Snyder, Steinbrenner, Cuban, etc. try to buy championships every year. Loyalty, patience and character simply words that get tossed around allot but are seldom practiced by other franchises, while they are the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oddly enough I agree with much of what you say. Several teams have a national following, with both the Steelers and the Cowboys leading the way. Those damn terrible towels are very noticable in stadiums though, and oddly enough, Steelers fans are willing to travel to watch games, almost as if it was a college team.

One additional point, when the Cowboys played the Steelers in SB XXX, the Steeler fans outnumbered the Cowboys fans by a ration of 60:40, per Aikman. And, there are days when I am watching the game on TV, and the Dallas fans either make no noise, or cheer when they shouldn't. It's very frustrating. So if you want to talk about which team has the better fans, I will defer that victory to you. But if you want to try and take the moniker, America's Teams, then you have yourself a fight coming!

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:09 AM ET  05.04 by jdramirez

Oddly enough I agree with much of what you say. Several teams have a national following, with both the Steelers and the Cowboys leading the way. Those damn terrible towels are very noticable in stadiums though, and oddly enough, Steelers fans are willing to travel to watch games, almost as if it was a college team. One additional point, when the Cowboys played the Steelers in SB XXX, the Steeler fans outnumbered the Cowboys fans by a ration of 60:40, per Aikman. And, there are days when I am watching the game on TV, and the Dallas fans either make no noise, or cheer when they shouldn't. It's very frustrating. So if you want to talk about which team has the better fans, I will defer that victory to you. But if you want to try and take the moniker, America's Teams, then you have yourself a fight coming!

I agree as well with most of what was said from both of you. But, that moniker will always be associated with the 'Boys, regardless. However, everyone has the right to think what they wish about their team, but it would be difficult to make the world believe that anyone other than the Cowboys are "America's Team". Not that I agree or disagree with it, but it's a fact. It's just not associated with anyone else, plain and simple.

George Washington is associated with "cutting down a cherry tree", which he may or may not have done. Would it sound any better or different if people started saying that Thomas Jefferson was the one who cut the tree down? Same principal here.

We should all agree to disagree with this subject anyway, because of the fact, it really don't matter, and it wouldn't affect the price of tea in China anyway.

jdramirez - It's all yours.

If it makes you feel any better, profits from Terrible Towel sales go to charity (Allegheny Valley School, which cares for people with mental retardation and physical disabilities.). The recently deceased Myron Cope, creator of the Terrible Towel and longtime radio announcer for the Steelers, has a son who went to the school and gave them the rights to the towel in the 90's.

As for SBXXX, let's hope you guys rise so we can meet again in the SB and we can get revenge. Still bitter over Neill's 2 4th quarter picks, causing the only blemish in our SB record.

bullshirt, sounds like one of the steeler nation crawled out from under his rock. an embaressment to the steeler nation. simple fact we have 6 cowboys have 5. right now we're better. we'll see what happens at the end of next season. people have to have something to gripe about. or pick a fight about something dumb.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:29 AM ET  05.04 by perfect360

As for SBXXX, let's hope you guys rise so we can meet again in the SB and we can get revenge. Still bitter over Neill's 2 4th quarter picks, causing the only blemish in our SB record.

You're bitter. I'm bitter. I don't think both of the picks were in the 4th. But I was annoyed the O'Donnell get all the blame for those picks. The first one was an over throw and you can credit that to playing in the Super Bowl. Most QB's get some butterflies which is why coaches will say they prefer to be on defense first in the SB. The 2nd one was a misread by the WR. WR was supposed to adjust his route because of the blitz, and I think he went inside instead of out. Outcome was Cowboys's football. Not to mention, it wasn't like the Steelers were within 10 yards of the goal line, they still had a ways to travel against a good defense. There was no guarantee they were going to score. The whole thing annoys me... save for the outcome.

And yes, I do hope we see yall again in the Super Bowl. I think we are due. Testeverde threw up all over himself in Rothlisberger's rookie season in Dallas, which lead to the Boy's losing that game. I can still see him fumbling around for the ball. Freaking nightmare. Then last year, where Witten did stumble. Maybe he did or didn't make the right cut, but he did stumble and even if he did go in the direction of the ball, it probably still would have been picked. We played yall close... and I think on a neutral field we might have a chance.

This is honestly the 20th blog I've seen on this topic, and seriously, WHO CARES!!!! First of all, there is no such thing as "America's" team, there are 32 teams in the NFL, and yes, obviously, some have bigger fan bases than others, but still, each franchise has a huge following. The Cowboys and Steelers can't be America's team because me, as well as 90% of sports fans I've met are not fans of the Cowboys or Steelers. If either of these squads were America's team, that number would surely be higher. I really don't mean any disrespect, this is just sports so don't take this personally, but you guys sound like little kids fighting over who's turn it is to play. Does a nickname really mean that much to you guys? Steeler fans, you should really care less about being "America's team", cause I don't know about you but I would much rather have 2 championships in 4 years as well as the most Super Bowl titles as opposed to a nickname

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:29 AM ET  05.04 by perfect360

jdramirez - It's all yours.If it makes you feel any better, profits from Terrible Towel sales go to charity (Allegheny Valley School, which cares for people with mental retardation and physical disabilities.). The recently deceased Myron Cope, creator of the Terrible Towel and longtime radio announcer for the Steelers, has a son who went to the school and gave them the rights to the towel in the 90's.As for SBXXX, let's hope you guys rise so we can meet again in the SB and we can get revenge. Still bitter over Neill's 2 4th quarter picks, causing the only blemish in our SB record.

I think that what you said is commendable, because there are more important things in the world than debating who is "America's Team", such as the charity you mentioned. It's good to have competition as well, but in the whole scheme of things, sports should be kept in its proper perspective.

There's a "problem" with being charitable, such as Myron Cope did with the towels, in that he likely didn't want to be credited with that donation. It was just something he felt he should do.
As such, not many know about his charitable spirit, other than the people in Steeler Nation. So, you have fans of other teams who may be ignorant of that fact, and know only that the towel symbolizes the Steelers as a team, and nothing else, such as those Titans players, who stomped on a yellow towel last year. Whether they would have still stomped on it or not had they known about Cope, I don't know, but chances are, they stomped on it because they looked at it as a Steeler, and nothing else.

Hope that makes sense........lol

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 11:37 AM ET  05.04 by NYGiants: Get Your Shinebox

This is honestly the 20th blog I've seen on this topic, and seriously, WHO CARES!!!! First of all, there is no such thing as "America's" team, there are 32 teams in the NFL, and yes, obviously, some have bigger fan bases than others, but still, each franchise has a huge following. The Cowboys and Steelers can't be America's team because me, as well as 90% of sports fans I've met are not fans of the Cowboys or Steelers. If either of these squads were America's team, that number would surely be higher. I really don't mean any disrespect, this is just sports so don't take this personally, but you guys sound like little kids fighting over who's turn it is to play. Does a nickname really mean that much to you guys? Steeler fans, you should really care less about being "America's team", cause I don't know about you but I would much rather have 2 championships in 4 years as well as the most Super Bowl titles as opposed to a nickname

Good points, but how much is 90% of the people you've met? The world has like 6 billion people, and surely you haven't met even a small portion of those, considering that not all would be sports fans. Yes, I'm being technical, but you haven't met any of us.

Most of the topics about "America's Team" is usually brought up by someone other than a 'Boys fan, as far as I know anyway, and other than one person I know about, and he's calmed down a lot about it. With a little help, of course.

We, as fans, cannot control what goes on with the media. We cannot control what others have to say about any given subject on any given day. Football is still in the near distant future, and blogs are demanding subject material. So, what we have here is recycled news, just worded differently. Take it for what it's worth.

When the season rolls around, subjects will heat up again, and we'll see bantering, screaming, cursing, punching and that sort of thing.........again. But right now, things are almost dead.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 10:39 AM ET  05.04 by lambertlunatic

bullshirt, sounds like one of the steeler nation crawled out from under his rock. an embaressment to the steeler nation. simple fact we have 6 cowboys have 5. right now we're better. we'll see what happens at the end of next season. people have to have something to gripe about. or pick a fight about something dumb.

Oh, it's fine. I enjoy chatting with anyone who has any semblance of sanity and reasoning.......regardless of subject........lol

I've been to the Lions blogs and been chatting with some of those folks lately, just for a change of scenery and see how they are managing. Some misunderstanding, and things got out of context somewhat, but nothing a little sense couldn't repair. Same here.

We have some doozies for fans too............just go to the Cowboys site and read some of those. I quit trying to comment there, because these people live, breathe, and die on those blogs. By the time a subject comes out, you have 4000 bloggers, like buzzards on a fence post, waiting for something to die. If you're not a regular, then whatever input you send, is usually ignored, so I just stay here. But, I do read some, and laff my a.s.s. off at some of the BS they say.

People will be people tho........:-)

The Steelers have 6 SuperBowls....great!

Why does it really matter?

Its not like I am loosing sleep at night knowing that my Cowboys are 1 behind now.

The Americas Team thing goes back to the 70's anyway and love them or hate them, they are the highest drawing team on the road in fans and have the highest sales of any NFL team and also the highest ratings of any team...

Did I forget that Forbes magazine has the franchise listed as the #1 Sports Franchise on EARTH beating out Manchester United and the New York Yankees??

Americas Team....pfffph....try Earth's Team....lol

jdramirez - You're right on the timing, one was in the third, which setup the score that made it 20-7 (returned 44 yds to the 18). Without that play, the Steelers could very well have won that game.

And, I don't fully blame O'Donnell for the 2 picks, but there's no doubt they were the difference in the game. The two INTs resulted in two Dallas TDs, requiring drives of 18 and 6 yds. Thank God we've won 2 since then to wash that taste away!