Troy's speech...wow! The way he spoke about the game of football, the impact of his teammates and coaches, and what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. A Hall of Fame player and person just delivered a Hall of Fame speech.
It was an awesome spectacle. Tom Benson stadium was actually Heinz Field Saturday night. You had some Cowboys and Bronco fans, but it was 70% PIT in that stadium. So many former Steelers there too. Right in front of my seat. Heath Miller, Ryan Clark, Keisel, Potsie, Deebo, Porter, Ike Taylor came up to us and fist bumped my son and I. Casey Hampton, Willie Colon. Hamp trying to go incognito with the Polamalu jersey and a towel over his head (didn’t work). Jeff Hartings too I believe was in attendance. Being there, you could feel the energy coming off Troy words, Cowher and Coach LeBeau were both tapping their hearts when he was talking about what It meant to be a Steeler. He was so respectful to every HOF’er up there. The crowd just totally erupted when he released his hair and reaffirmed his heritage. Just a fantastic event to witness.
I was telling ol girl Shell had a great religious theme, Polamalu a great thankful theme. I tried not to listen to the rest of the speeches but what I heard was I I I my my my or dissing this or that person. Steelers present with class. Listen young Steeler players one and all, Troy represents what you should inspire to be on and off the field. Ditto Shell.
Donnie Shell was one of my favorite players to watch when I was a kid. He was everywhere on the field. He was also one of the few I got to continue watching after the last SB of the 70’s. He hit ball carriers like Ronnie Lott before Lott. Most importantly, he was just as humble as Troy off the field. Just a great human being.
It was a shame I saw so many empty seats in the stands when Cowher took the stage - but when the day is that long for so many, hard not to understand I guess.
But he delivered a very classy, down-to-earth and humbled speech. He even shushed the crowd when they booed Cleveland, and they complied. Don't **** with The Chin. Great weekend to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
On a side note, anybody a little surprised at his bust? Didn't really look like him at all. And even though he was caressing the chin when they revealed it, they should've accentuated it a little more IMO. I think Cowher would've wanted it that way. I know it's not like they're drawing a caricature, but they could've given it a little a more "oomph". Lol.
The empty seats were because, even though speeches were limited to 8 minutes, crowd applause would extend the inductees time. Plus the fact the network HAD to get their commercials in. Gheez it was worse than going to a game itself. Anyway, the shuttles from the HOF to the Hotel Village were ceasing at the time Johnson’s speech was ending and some folks didnt want to miss the bus or continue to get wet.
The seats in the very front section we’re family and friends of the inductees. Once they finished their speeches, those people left as well. Issac Bruce had maybe 50-60 people leave once he finished. Hutchinson and Edge James had a lot of folks as well.
I thought Cowhers bust was ok. It didn’t look like he had a goatee, but more how his chin/jawline were sculpted and it just looked like a goatee. Bill’s speech was passionate as well. Man, you could tell he was proud of all the “burgh“ folks there. He was choking up a bit.
Anyway just an awesome experience!! A big check off my bucketlist!
