Jan 14, 2011 By Jen Harr 5 min read

The trip started with a handful of rules applicable while I was on the sidelines of Heinz Field: Don’t complain about the cold. Don’t wear high-heeled boots. Don’t smile and talk to everyone you see.

Geesh, I wondered, what was I allowed to do?

Turns out I also couldn’t cross certain lines, and it was imperative that I avoid the television cameras and their big, rolling carts.

But the experience I got on Dec. 12 on the sidelines as the Steelers trounced the Cincinnati Bengals, was worth every rule – the ones I broke and the ones I followed.

As the Steelers head to their first playoff game Saturday, I thought I’d share some of my thoughts, and the awe I experienced on the field.

I got to go to the game as a photographer, something I was woefully unqualified to do. Snapping pictures at the holidays is one thing, but I lack the eye for it that the pros, like Robert Esquivel, have.

And yet, Robert gamely agreed to take me with him to stand on the sidelines and get a glimpse into his world.

So I stood there, camera in hand, snapping photos, and I was thankful for every single second of the experience.

It’s not something that happens often, but I was speechless watching the action unfold, quite literally, right in front of me. I watched a game full of hard hits and amazing plays that solidified not only my love of the Steelers, but my respect for their players.

Football wasn’t always a sport I loved, or even liked for that matter. Ornery child that I was, it wasn’t unusual for me to intentionally stand in front of the television while my dad and brother watched the game.

That said, something clicked for me about a decade ago when someone explained the game to me. Turns out that football is a game of intricacies, strategy and skill.

And hitting. Oh how I enjoy the hitting.

While I’ve been to a few games, no matter how good the seats were, nothing compared to being right there. Hearing the hits and watching the players shake off a hard hit, or limping off the field, obviously hurt (as Troy Polamalu was in that game) was surreal.

Those guys really put it out there, and give 100 percent of their hearts and bodies to the game. While I never doubted it, it was a unique spectacle up close.

I stood my ground as Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley ran an interception into the end zone. As he lumbered toward me in my red NFL vest, I kept the camera raised, snapping away. I ended up getting a pretty cool picture of him, running, smiling, hoisting the ball in the air.

While I’m certain it was a triumphant moment for him, it was also a triumphant moment for me – I didn’t get run over.

Speaking of catching things on film – I’m fairly certain my rampant picture-taking drove Robert insane.

I was using a digital camera. In my mind, “digital camera” translates loosely to “unlimited pictures.” After he put the second memory card in, Robert tersely told me that there would be no more memory cards, so I should ration my shots.

I think I ended the game having taken roughly 400 photos, which, according to Robert, is not the norm.

But the sights were hardly limited to what was happening on the field.

Standing behind the Bengals’ end zone before the Steelers scored was equally an experience. Pittsburgh’s fans aren’t afraid to tell either team what they think.

I listened to a woman offer strong, um, suggestions about what the Steelers needed to do to turn it around and win the game.

It involved doing things that I couldn’t recount in this column. Let’s suffice to say that Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocino probably wouldn’t have appreciated her thoughts.

I also caught a glimpse of a man, who in the rain and cold, showed his displeasure with the refs calls (or lack thereof) by whipping off his shirt and starting a chant of “Refs you suck!”

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention, in what most people would think is a rather random observation, that Steelers long snapper Greg Warren is massive.

I’m a couple inches shy of 6 feet tall. There were plenty of guys on the field from both teams that I could look in the eye.

Warren actually made me feel short, which usually only happens when I stand by my brother.

Rounding out my experience was something that made my son jealous: I saw Justin Bieber head into the stadium to watch the game. Gabe, 10, thinks the pint-sized pop star is amazing and cared way more about what I had done that day once he heard Bieber was there.

Also in the house? Christopher Meloni and Tamara Tunie from “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” who led the crowd at the beginning of the game with the waving of the Terrible Towel.

At the end of the day, I headed home exhausted, happy and excited.

It was an experience I’d never be afforded were it not for my job, and one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Jen Harr is the courthouse reporter for the Herald-Standard.