i posted this last year, but thought it might be worth dusting off once again this year (with a few edits) to help one or two of you in your journey with me towards getting ridiculously amped for tomorrow's kickoff to the season. enjoy! -agentorange


‘Twas the night before kickoff and all through the "Nation,"
not a Stiller fan was stirring, due to some healthy libation.

The terrible towels were placed by the TVs with care,
in hopes that HD images of victory soon would be there.

The Steeler fans were sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of hypocycloids danced in their heads.

And I in my black 86 jersey – Hines Ward -
had just settled down after a prayer to the Lord.

When out in the family room, I heard such a noise,
I could have sworn it sounded like Big Ben and the boys.

I raced down the hall and into the den,
and couldn’t believe what I discovered then.

There in the room (right on the couch!)
sat Tomlin and LeBeau – my wife will vouch.

And my jaw dropped in wonder as I stood with a stare
at the coaches before me – wow, what a pair!

Then my wonder grew deeper while I leaned on the wall,
as I watched Coach LeBeau stand up and call,

"Now Deebo, Now Potsie, now Timmons and Wood;
come out all you linebackers, you all are so good.

Now Ike, now Ryan, now B.Mac, keep on growing,
and now Troy, the newly-signed ,with hair long and flowing.

Now Diesel, now Smithy, come on now Big Snack,
it’s time to let loose the steel curtain attack!"

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but the entire Steelers defense, inspiring fear.

Then Tomlin stood up; he seemed strong – you should know it –
and he began to orate like a warrior poet.

He spoke with grace, with words words tacit and true,
No doubts remained concerning victory: all who heard, knew.

And he called forth the offense by name, one by one,
until each was there – can you imagine my fun?

He called for Scott , Kemo, Essex, Pouncey and Colon;
Knowing the final version of the O-line was yet unknown.

He named Emmanuel, Antonio, Miller and Hines,
and the future hall-of-famer was smiling so wide.

He called for Big Ben, with leadership replete,
He looked ready to win, even if not "elite."

He called for Rashard, who came in with a spin,
then the room got real quiet as they all leaned in.

He spoke of week one – how the season would begin
By defeating the ratbirds, and chalking up a big win.

The team was all there – what a sight to behold –
it made me proud to be a fan of the great black and gold.

It felt so amazing, so good, just like heaven,
when I heard the team say they’d get trophy number seven.

And then in an instant they were gone with a howl,
so I stood there just waving my terrible towel.

It might have been a dream, for all I can say,
but I know that tomorrow they’ll be ready to play.

While this night felt like a great Steelers party,
tomorrow they start fighting for that seventh Lombardi.

So sleep tight, Steeler Nation, ‘til the sun shines down bright;
happy game day to all, and to all a good night!


Go Steelers!

a few months ago, when james harrison was being fined every time he stepped on a crack in the sidewalk, some steeler fan started a campaign on facebook to help pay his fine, not because we thought we would really put a huge dent in these unbelievable fines, but because we wanted to show the nfl and the commisioner that we don't like his arbitrary enforcement of the rules.  it was a really powerful demonstration, and you can see the overwhelming results here on facebook.  (if you look close enough you can find my contribution). 

after sending my dollar and note in to the league office, i just kind of forgot about it.  then, yesterday, i received a letter in my mailbox with the nfl logo.  curious, i opened it up and found the following letter:

Dear Greg Milinovich,

We received your letter containing money to be used help pay for a fine incurred by Steelers linebacker James Harrison. 

The player is solely responsible for paying his fine.  Player fines collected by the National Football League are used to support retired players in need and other charitable initiatives supporting youth, education and sports-related medical research. 

At the request of the organizer of this initiative, however, the money from fans like you is being donated to the Beaver County (Penn.) YMCA's Sacks for Kids program.

One of our most important priorities is protecting our players from needless injury.  In recent years, we have focused on minimizing contact to the head and neck, especially where a defenseless player is involved.  This season we have further emphasized the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques and of playing within the rules.  It is incumbent on all of us to support the rules that we have in place to protect players while serving as an example for all levels of football. 

We appreciate your support of the NFL and hope you enjoy the remainder of the 2010 season. 

Sincerely,
Rob McBurnett
NFL Public Relations

and while it was nice of them to respond to our effort, i found myself very frustrated at their lack of transparency, as well as their lame and tired P.R. verbiage about player safety.  and so, here is my open letter to the NFL, in response:

Dear Commissioner Goodell and the National Football League,

Thank you for making one of your Public Relations staff members write a letter to me and other football fans around the world who were upset about some of the developments in the NFL this year.  I want to say that I appreciate the effort, but in all honesty I was very disappointed in the content of the letter.  After further reflection, it would have been better had you not sent the letter at all. 

But you did.  And you made three major points.  First, you made the point that James Harrison has to pay his own fines.  Second, you indicated that my money is going to a charity in Pennsylvania.  And then you went on to make to describe your admirable stance on "player safety." 

Please allow me the opportunity to briefly respond to these points.

First, you say that James Harrison has to pay his own fine, and that fines collected from players by the NFL are "used to support retired players in need and other charitable initiatives supporting youth, education and sports-related medical research."  That sounds really good.  It does.  But we need more.  We would like to know which particular "charitable initiatives" are being funded, and who are on the boards of these initiatives.  When you somewhat arbitrarily fine your players, and then don't really let anyone know where that money goes, you must understand that people have legitimate concerns.  Someone is benefiting from these immense fines.  Who?  And who decides who?  Are we supposed to feel better that you know how to use words like "charity" and "youth?"  Because we don't.  We want to know who's getting paid. 

Second, you indicated that my money is going to a charity in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, because the player is solely responsible for paying his fine.  Bogus.  Absolutely laughable.  Since when does that happen?  If Dan Rooney owed me $10, and you sent me a couple bucks to help pay the debt, do you think I would give your money to someone else and tell Dan he still owed me a ten-spot?  Nope.  Not only would it be unfair, but it would be immoral.  The money that we sent to you to pay James Harrison's fine wasn't your money.  It was James Harrison's money, and the only one who is saying it can't be used to help pay his fine is you.  That's bogus and unacceptable. 

Finally, you included a paragraph about how you are very serious about player safety.  I would like to believe that is true, but it is hard to believe, considering that you are more concerned with lining your corporate bank accounts with loads more cash by extending the season by two more games.  Do you really care about these young men?  If so, why are ads for alcohol so prominently featured in the NFL's product, even to the point of having an "official beer" of the National Football League?  In a league where you are trying to avoid situations like DUI's (and DUI's resulting in death) and other unfortunate alcohol-related situations, why do you continue to use alcohol as a way to make money?  Could it be that you're less concerned with player safety than you are personal monetary gain? 

I am 100% in favor of making some changes to make sure that players are safe and to try and cut down on the number of concussions and other injuries in the game.  But as a fan, I am pleading with you to find a way of making and enforcing rules that is fair and reasonable, not knee-jerk, and certainly not arbitrary.  Please Sir, with all due respect, it appears to me that you have allowed the power of your position to cloud your judgment just enough to put yourself in a bad position.  I don't think that is good for the game, or good for you as a man.  From an outsider looking in - a fan who cares very much about the game - I urge you to consider taking a second look at the way you've handled the situation this year, and make some much needed and healthy changes next season.  Please feel free to be in contact with me as I would love to discuss these things with you and hear your side of things.  I love the NFL, and want it to continue to succeed. 

Sincerely,

Greg Milinovich, a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers

PS.  Good luck on reaching a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players union.  I really REALLY want there to be an NFL season next year.