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Steelers At A Glance

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2009

Five Funky Facts

1. The Steelers have been a successful NFL franchise without one major tradition - cheerleaders. Pittsburgh had the Steeleretts, provided by Robert Morris Junior College, from 1961 to 1970, but their pom-pons were eventually taken away as the organization no longer wanted them.

2. President Barack Obama and talk-show host Rush Limbaugh are Steelers fans. Limbaugh stood on the sidelines of both Pittsburgh playoffs wins, while Steelers owner Dan Rooney presented Obama with the AFC Championship game ball the night before the president's inauguration.

4. There are two statues greeting airline passengers who land at Pittsburgh International Airport - first U.S. president George Washington and Steelers RB Franco Harris, hero of the "Immaculate Reception."

3. If aliens ever invade Earth, they likely will wear black and yellow gear. Colonel Michael Fink proclaimed the International Space Station as Steelers Country and waved a Terrible Towel in space before the AFC Championship Game.

5. The Steelers attract fans from contrasting music genres. Country music star Hank Williams Jr. is a longtime Pittsburgh fan, while rap legend Snoop Dogg is also a huge fan. Snoop has even dressed his youth football team in black and yellow for his annual "Snoop Bowl" competition.

Inside The Huddle With ... Offensive Tackle Max Starks

Pittsburgh's 6-foot-8, 245-pound lineman, a former University of Florida star, provides some insight and little-known-facts about the 10 teammates with whom he shares the Steelers' offensive huddle.

1. Santonio Holmes, Split End

"A soft-spoken, educated individual, even though he's from Muck City."

2. Chris Kemoeatu, Left Guard

"Nickname is 'Big Juicy' and he loves to dance."

3. Justin Hartwig, Center

"Only one word describes Justin Hartwig and that is

primal."

4. Darnell Stapleton, Right Guard

"We like to call him 'The Gambler.' Not because of going and playing cards or anything like that. He's a gambler in life. He takes risks and gets rewarded."

5. Willie Colon, Right Tackle

"He is the mascot of the offensive line - the 'Bronx Bully.' And he's an individual who is passionate about this game."

6. Heath Miller, Tight End

"Spiderman."

7. Willie Parker, Running Back

"Fast Willie Parker. He's so fast that the only word that describes him is 'pe-yeeeewng.' I can't spell that, but you're going to have to figure it out."

8. Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback

"That's the gunslinger right there. He's willing to take risks. He doesn't care if he gets shot. He's willing to get back up and keep coming. He's a consummate professional and consummate competitor."

9. Carey Davis, Fullback

"I call him 'Little Pistol Starter.' He sets the tempo a lot of times on offense and special teams."

10. Hines Ward, Flanker

"Iron Man. You can't classify Hines Ward as a receiver. He's truly a football player. I honestly believe he can play any position on the football field, and he's almost done that."

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