Courthouse becomes its own ‘Steeler Nation’
Chants, cheers and fight songs reverberated through the halls of the Fayette County Courthouse as employees gathered Friday to cheer the Pittsburgh Steelers on to victory in today’s AFC Championship Game.
Michelle Kelley, who was the emcee for the pep rally and is a lifelong Steelers fan, led chants, quizzed the dozens gathered on Steelers facts, gave out prizes and waved her Terrible Towel.
And so did everybody else.
“They’re gonna win,” said Sidney Bush, who works in the county controller’s office and has been a fan for more than 30 years.
Bush, who showed up wearing a black and gold Mohawk, was dressed in the jersey of her favorite player, linebacker James Harrison.
“This is just fun, and we don’t get to do a lot of fun things here at the courthouse,” said Kelley, who is an assistant district attorney.
But the rally also introduced the crowd to a new mascot: Steelers Spidey.
David Domen, a lifelong Steelers fan and an employee in the county’s mapping department, said he bought the suit this year, but had the idea for Steelers Spidey a few years ago.
He had Steelers logos sewn on the costume, and a Terrible Towel put on as a cape.
Domen wore the costume to Saturday’s AFC Divisional Playoffs game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
“People went crazy,” he said. “I couldn’t get away from them.”
In fact, the fans’ zeal for the zany getup made him late for the game, and eventually, he had to zip up his jacket and take off the mask for some peace.
As someone who always makes a statement with his outfit when he goes to a game, Domen said he’s worn a myriad of hats and found a different style of face paint for each game he attends, trying to outdo himself each time.
“I don’t know how I’m going to top this one,” he said.
As of right now, he’s not going to Sunday’s game, but is ready to go should he be offered a last- minute ticket.
One thing was certain during the rally, everyone was ready for another one before the Super Bowl, and a doubter wasn’t in sight that the Steelers would be getting a seventh Super Bowl ring.
“The (New York) Jets are out of gas,” Kelley said, predicting a final score of 28-14 in the Steelers favor.
A similar rally was held at the Greene County Courthouse.