Your Best Game in Attendance Story

[SteelerSask2]

I know many of you have been to countless games, but a story about a game I went to in San Diego in another thread got me thinking. What is your best game story? I get it many of you went to the AFC championship game against the Ravens where Troy made the INT and it felt like the stadium rocked through the TV. So if you want to share that cool. but I would like to hear some of the stories that made it great. Mine:
October 10, 2005. I was in section 10 row 10 seat 10 on the 10th day of the 10th month. I've never bought so many 50/50 tickets in my life. I was sure I was destined to win. I went with my wife's, cousin's husband who was retired USMC. He didn't really give much of a **** about football or know very much for that matter, but it sure made it easier getting around and stuff.
Got to our seats just as the sun set and the fly over happened as it was a Monday nighter. I was pretty bummed cause Peezy was out and a young backup named James Harrison was taking his place. (Coincidentally I was in Pittsburgh for James first comeback game against Tampa which had a less enjoyable outcome). Harrison intercepted a Drew Brees pass and leaped over Ladainian Tomlinson.
The Steelers dominated most of the play but couldn't get a commanding lead. One of the stranger rulings I still have ever seen happened. The Chargers punt returner muffed the catch and without contacting him the Steelers cover man caught the ball in what looked like a game ending turnover. They ruled that he had not given the returner enough opportunity to catch the ball because he caught it before it hit the ground. To this day I've never seen that before or since.
After the Chargers scored the go ahead TD, the Steelers mounted a possible game winning drive. Ben got hit late and low and his knee buckled (much worse than Kimo on Palmer). His knee looked done and a lot of chargers fans cheered. I was so happy to hear on the plane ride home that it was only sprained and his season wasn't over. Bettis got a couple big runs and Reed banged home the winner as the clock expired.
Bad feelings about the cheering of Ben's injury led to a fight between Steelers and Chargers fans in our section. It became a full on brawl on the concourse. The guy I was with goes. "Isn't that one of those towels you want so bad?". You couldn't buy one at a road game. I was like yoink. Kinda ****** to steal another fan's towel while he was fighting, but I was kinda like **** it. Might have been bad karma, but we all know how the season ended.
So that is my story. Would like to read yours.........

 

[F83]

2001 steelers gm in buffalo with several sn members sn nation took over and our D and Bettis just dominated all day

 

[F83]

best game at heinz 2009 season openor vs **** ot win after ward fumbled in scoring area that prevented a late game fg attempt. from the bleacher size saw troy right in front see grab that ball away from britt.

 

[BLITZ]

I will tell a story I barely remember as I was 5. My 1st Steeler game.

I grew up in a split Family. Arizona with Mom. PA with uncles and grand ma. My uncle Bob born and died a Steeler fan had 3 kids named Chuck, Joe and Ernie after of course Noll, Mean Joe, Stautner.

I was sent to him from AZ to PA for Christmas 1972. Joe and I were the same age. Loved each other like bothers. Still do

My uncle Bob used probably a months worth of salary to take us to A Steeler game. All five of us. I was not a fan of anything then, AZ had no team. I barely new what football was.

Oakland against Pittsburgh. I had never been around that many people in my life. It was crazy for a kid from AZ. Ernie was cold. the whole time. complained to uncle Bob pretty much from the get go.

keep in mind this is a 5 year old's memory.

Very defensive game. I remember the sound of hits. cant tell you who was hitting who. it was just exciting as hell.

we were losing the game. I remember that. everyone was angry and booing.

Uncle Bob was as angry as I can ever recall him being. He asked if Ernie was really that cold. Uncle Bob decided to get us out a bit early we left around what I think was midway through the 4th quarter.

Home all the way thinking the Steelers lost. didn't see the play that changed the game and the Steelers franchise around, but I was at the game.

I didn't know they had won the game until the next day. everyone was ecstatic. I think my uncle cried a bit.

great memory

 

[SteelerSask2]

Holy **** Blitz that sounds like the Yastremski story in Good Will Hunting. That is one for the books there.

 

[Steelmann]

Well the thread says The best game in Attendance story. Got me thinking. I will go a bit of a different route.

My house in suburbia backs on to an elementary school,then sports fields to the high school. Dead end road where the path goes to high school. Which was great when you have 4 kids and you never had to worry about driving to school,getting them going,all that stuff. The other part was of course all the buddies would park their bikes there before school and hangout all the time after school. My wife at the time would make batch after batch of cookies. I would be lucky to even smell one by the time I would get home from work.

My eldest son,big kid would laugh if you had only 2 pork chops for him. Like seriously dad,I’m hungry. Him and his buddies were rugby players. Very successful rugby players. They won everything. One day the football coach came up to the rugby boys and asked them to join the team,because the program was dying out. Most of the boys had no experience playing,but were very athletic and enthusiastic. I will never forget the Coach Higgins,god rest his soul. What a mentor. A great teacher and man. He didn’t just teach them football,he taught them a lot about life. First year I think they were 2 games above 500. Not bad considering.

Their second and last year they were undefeated in regular season and went to the provincial final....equivalent to State. Now in Canada high school football was not exactly a hotbed of fan attendance. The same old fathers who lined the fields watched the games. Seemed just mostly families were the spectators. My wife and I never missed a game. We loved it. I bet one Texas high school game probably have more spectators than all of our provinces games of the same day.

The provincial final was played at our B.C. Place,a 60,000 seat stadium,that many of you might of saw in the opening and closing ceremonies of The Vancouver Olympics. The kids were hyped. Can you imagine? I doubt there were over 3000 spectators. They never even turned the frigging heat on. It was freezing. The boys played a great game,but lost in the last minute. You know what I remember most about the game?
Many of the boys met at our house for organized rides,leaving personal stuff there that they would pickup after the game etc.
so obviously after the game most of the guys showed up in their sweaty uniforms.

To a one,they all had open tears in their eyes. Anger ,frustration,disappointment. It’s something I will never forget. These man-boys put so much heart and discipline in that season.I could not have been prouder. And yes in between the tears,they were munching on what must of been 100+ of my wife’s famous chocolate chip cookies,I didn’t even try to shovel one in.

By the way.......of that team,with only 2 years experience of organized football,3 players were drafted by the CFL. Quite an achievement I thought. And a credit to the coaches.

A little bit of rambling for a Wednesday night......Cheers.

 

[Steelworth]

October 10, 2005. I was in section 10 row 10 seat 10 on the 10th day of the 10th month. I've never bought so many 50/50 tickets in my life.

I can't remember the sections/areas but were you behind the Steelers bench at about the 50-yard line? And I just saw this after I posted in the other thread.

Anyways I went there with my best friend at the time and my pops. It was an excellent night I will never forget. And about that AFCCG where Troy intercepted Flacco, my cousin has season tickets and he said that was the absolute best experience at Heinz Field he's ever had, and also said that when Troy intercepted him, the stadium was rocking so hard they thought it was going to collapse. Lol.

He's old enough to have experienced Three Rivers stadium and he wasn't the biggest fan of Heinz Field until that night. My personal favorite game I was at was the Bus' last home game at Heinz Field, against, you guessed it, Detroit in '05. Just the ovation and love that he received after the game and then what had followed in the playoffs leading to the Super Bowl, it was just a special time. And Randle El took a kick return to the house that game.

 

[F83]

was at the browns game where massoquie and cribbs were derailed and heard the hit from behind the you are in steelers country sign.
Another was sec 533 full view of ab kicking browns punter all he had to do was make 1 cut and he has gone.

 

[Omar10213245]

Well the thread says The best game in Attendance story. Got me thinking. I will go a bit of a different route.

My house in suburbia backs on to an elementary school,then sports fields to the high school. Dead end road where the path goes to high school. Which was great when you have 4 kids and you never had to worry about driving to school,getting them going,all that stuff. The other part was of course all the buddies would park their bikes there before school and hangout all the time after school. My wife at the time would make batch after batch of cookies. I would be lucky to even smell one by the time I would get home from work.

My eldest son,big kid would laugh if you had only 2 pork chops for him. Like seriously dad,I’m hungry. Him and his buddies were rugby players. Very successful rugby players. They won everything. One day the football coach came up to the rugby boys and asked them to join the team,because the program was dying out. Most of the boys had no experience playing,but were very athletic and enthusiastic. I will never forget the Coach Higgins,god rest his soul. What a mentor. A great teacher and man. He didn’t just teach them football,he taught them a lot about life. First year I think they were 2 games above 500. Not bad considering.

Their second and last year they were undefeated in regular season and went to the provincial final....equivalent to State. Now in Canada high school football was not exactly a hotbed of fan attendance. The same old fathers who lined the fields watched the games. Seemed just mostly families were the spectators. My wife and I never missed a game. We loved it. I bet one Texas high school game probably have more spectators than all of our provinces games of the same day.

The provincial final was played at our B.C. Place,a 60,000 seat stadium,that many of you might of saw in the opening and closing ceremonies of The Vancouver Olympics. The kids were hyped. Can you imagine? I doubt there were over 3000 spectators. They never even turned the frigging heat on. It was freezing. The boys played a great game,but lost in the last minute. You know what I remember most about the game?
Many of the boys met at our house for organized rides,leaving personal stuff there that they would pickup after the game etc.
so obviously after the game most of the guys showed up in their sweaty uniforms.

To a one,they all had open tears in their eyes. Anger ,frustration,disappointment. It’s something I will never forget. These man-boys put so much heart and discipline in that season.I could not have been prouder. And yes in between the tears,they were munching on what must of been 100+ of my wife’s famous chocolate chip cookies,I didn’t even try to shovel one in.

By the way.......of that team,with only 2 years experience of organized football,3 players were drafted by the CFL. Quite an achievement I thought. And a credit to the coaches.

A little bit of rambling for a Wednesday night......Cheers.

that's a fantastic memory, Steelmann. Thank you for sharing it

 

[SteelerSask2]

that's a fantastic memory, Steelmann. Thank you for sharing it

I second that. Great story. I have several similar stories from coaching. And the feelings you get. The winning and losing seems so important at the time, but it really isn't. Its the TEAM. Its being part of something bigger than yourself.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I can't remember the sections/areas but were you behind the Steelers bench at about the 50-yard line? And I just saw this after I posted in the other thread.

Anyways I went there with my best friend at the time and my pops. It was an excellent night I will never forget. And about that AFCCG where Troy intercepted Flacco, my cousin has season tickets and he said that was the absolute best experience at Heinz Field he's ever had, and also said that when Troy intercepted him, the stadium was rocking so hard they thought it was going to collapse. Lol.

He's old enough to have experienced Three Rivers stadium and he wasn't the biggest fan of Heinz Field until that night. My personal favorite game I was at was the Bus' last home game at Heinz Field, against, you guessed it, Detroit in '05. Just the ovation and love that he received after the game and then what had followed in the playoffs leading to the Super Bowl, it was just a special time. And Randle El took a kick return to the house that game.

You were there too Steelworth? It was just one of those perfect nights. (except the angst of Ben's injury that made it feel like even though they had won they had lost). I was on the 10 yard line. no ****. it was 10th month, 10th day, section 10, row 10, seat 10 on the 10 yard line. I still have my ticket and the Terrible Towel I scoffed. The guy I was with left because he was worried about where he parked and getting towed. He asked me if I could find the car after. I had no choice because I was sure as **** not leaving. When he realized he was going to be ok he came back. They were not going to let him in even with his stub. But he knew the ticket, because we were laughing about it so they let him back in.

 

[mightyguru]

January 15 2005 Steelers vs jets Divisional Game....

We got to the tailgate, right in front of Clark Bar, at about 8a...started partying pretty hard, lol. A friend had a huge trailer with a really nice buffet. All yinz was playin' cornhole.

6 degrees out and snowing. Had pretty good views of the game at the 10 yard line in the closed end.

Ben's rookie year was beyond historic..what a freaking ride that was...I was losing my mind just being there.

As you all know, it was a tight game that went into OT. When Doug Brien missed that FG I literally fell to my knees and started crying...would have been a long ride home without that win.

 

[Steel Chooch]

2008 Championship Game vs the Ravens! What a brutal game in minus temperatures with the wind chill factor. Here are some pic's of me and my girl at the game.

, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=107073179327833&set=a.107072589327892, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=107073772661107&set=a.107072589327892, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=107073775994440&set=a.107072589327892, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=107075122660972&set=a.107072589327892

 

[Steel Chooch]

There is a game we ended up losing against the Bengals. That I watched on tv, where Hines Ward in the 90's maybe the early 2000's, was beaten brutally making tough catches to the point where they were helping him to the line for the next play. I have been searching for that game for along time and cannot find it. He took a brutal beating and still showed how tough he was.

 

[Scott109]

I will tell a story I barely remember as I was 5.

I was 5 years old at that time too Blitz. That was the first year my parents starting taking me and my older brother to the games. We went to every game that year but the Oakland game. My parents thought it would be too cold for us and didn’t take us. I never forgave them.

My parents have had season tickets since the early 60’s when the Steelers were TERRIBLE (said in my best Charles Barkley impression). I have been fortunate to see a lot of great games but If I had to pick one it would be Super Bowl XLIII. It was the first Super Bowl game my father got to see in person. He was a die hard fan who never missed a game and he finally got lucky in the season ticket holder Super Bowl lottery.

It was such a great game with some iconic plays. We were happy and having a great time until Larry Fitzgerald scored with a little over two minutes to go but thankfully Ben and Santonio were determined to be great. It was one of the best days of my life.

My father died from cancer a few years ago and one of the last things we did was watch a replay of that game.

 

[Steelworth]

You were there too Steelworth? It was just one of those perfect nights.

Yessir, and minus Ben's injury that you mentioned, it was a perfect night. Good times.

We got a glimpse of the forthcoming phenomenon that was Deebo.

 

[mightyguru]

There is a game we ended up losing against the Bengals. That I watched on tv, where Hines Ward in the 90's maybe the early 2000's, was beaten brutally making tough catches to the point where they were helping him to the line for the next play. I have been searching for that game for along time and cannot find it. He took a brutal beating and still showed how tough he was.

I remember that game. Hines had 13 catches I believe...amazing.

 

[Steelworth]

There is a game we ended up losing against the Bengals. That I watched on tv, where Hines Ward in the 90's maybe the early 2000's, was beaten brutally making tough catches to the point where they were helping him to the line for the next play. I have been searching for that game for along time and cannot find it. He took a brutal beating and still showed how tough he was.

Oh man, I seem to remember it vaguely but if we could get video of that, that would be a miracle. Hines was one tough SOB.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

January 2006.
I just got back from Iraq in December, The steelers were in the middle of a winning trend and made the playoffs.

Buddy wanted to go.... we went.. Indianapolis against Payton Manning on the Road.
Our seats were in the corner of the endzone . We were surrounded by Colts fans inside that dome (rca? ) Beginning of the game the noise was deafening. I honestly wondered at what level your ears bleed. Yes it was that loud.

Steeler fans were scattered throughout the stadium.. I cant remember at what point or why,,, but at one point, instead of twirling our Terrible Towels,, we held them in place and made Gold squares all over the stadium..

The First two possessions we went down the field. Arians had it all scripted out. They were ready for the noise. Silent counts. And somehow as the 2nd quarter waned,, the noise died down,,, The faces of colts fans were just shock.

By the end of the 4th quarter we were talking some trash. The defense held the colts to 4 and out in their own end of the field, and we were giddy. "were going to Denver!!" we yelled.. wooo!
I wasn't really paying attention, the team was at the other end of the stadium..
Still celebrating,, WTF why are they running this way,,,, why is everyone yelling,,,, omg!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone got him,,, (the tackle) I don't think I knew it was ben at the time.

They the defense holds.. but **** Vanderjagt is kicking,,,, its going to tie it up,,, couldn't believe it...
The kick went up and the only way I knew for sure what happened was because the steelers sidelines went ape ****. He missed it...

We left the stadium on cloud 9. talking smack.... Hey get your souvenirs! Everything on sale !!! Must go!

 

[SteelerSask2]

I was 5 years old at that time too Blitz. That was the first year my parents starting taking me and my older brother to the games. We went to every game that year but the Oakland game. My parents thought it would be too cold for us and didn’t take us. I never forgave them.

My parents have had season tickets since the early 60’s when the Steelers were TERRIBLE (said in my best Charles Barkley impression). I have been fortunate to see a lot of great games but If I had to pick one it would be Super Bowl XLIII. It was the first Super Bowl game my father got to see in person. He was a die hard fan who never missed a game and he finally got lucky in the season ticket holder Super Bowl lottery.

It was such a great game with some iconic plays. We were happy and having a great time until Larry Fitzgerald scored with a little over two minutes to go but thankfully Ben and Santonio were determined to be great. It was one of the best days of my life.

My father died from cancer a few years ago and one of the last things we did was watch a replay of that game.

That is amazing. The best part was that he/you got drawn for the best game of our adult lives. He could have got Bears/colts or some other schlock.

 

[SteelerSask2]

so many great stories and the best part is I can remember almost everyone of these games. I remember the tension of Ben's historic rookie season and looking like it might go for **** against a mediocre Jets team.

 

[Omar10213245]

January 15 2005 Steelers vs jets Divisional Game....

We got to the tailgate, right in front of Clark Bar, at about 8a...started partying pretty hard, lol. A friend had a huge trailer with a really nice buffet. All yinz was playin' cornhole.

6 degrees out and snowing. Had pretty good views of the game at the 10 yard line in the closed end.

Ben's rookie year was beyond historic..what a freaking ride that was...I was losing my mind just being there.

As you all know, it was a tight game that went into OT. When Doug Brien missed that FG I literally fell to my knees and started crying...would have been a long ride home without that win.

i went hoarse from screaming curse words at the tv during the 1st half of that game. from pure rage, to despair, to pure joy all in a matter of about 4 hours

 

[Steel Chooch]

Oh man, I seem to remember it vaguely but if we could get video of that, that would be a miracle. Hines was one tough SOB.

Can anybody out there dig this game up? It was awesome, despite losing!

 

[Hines57]

Sheer excitement, 2011 AFCCG v the Jets celebrating a trip to the Super Bowl. What a ******* madhouse inside Heinz Field.

But to me the best game in attendance story may be a toss up between the 2015 game v the Broncos where we came from behind with a huge game by AB or another come from behind game v the Rats with a rookie TJ Watt sack of Flacco to end the game. 39-38. The jagoff Rats fans in front of me talked so much **** with the Rats up 31-20 and left with the score 38-29 thinking they had a win. But damn it if we didn't come back and win that game. Set the table for a huge showdown with the Cheats the next week only to have the NFL steal the game from us. Jesse caught it.

12/20/15: Convinced my wife to let me fly out to see Peyton Manning play and he ended up being hurt and not playing. We fell behind 27-13 in the first half but scored 21 unanswered when AB went off in the second half. This also happened to the be the game where one Billy Gardell gave me a Steelers fan cave courtesy of Steeler Nation Unite on the Heinz Field big screen right after the Broncos went up 14 on us. It was so loud in the stadium I couldn't hear everything they gave me.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Sheer excitement, 2011 AFCCG v the Jets celebrating a trip to the Super Bowl. What a ******* madhouse inside Heinz Field.

But to me the best game in attendance story may be a toss up between the 2015 game v the Broncos where we came from behind with a huge game by AB or another come from behind game v the Rats with a rookie TJ Watt sack of Flacco to end the game. 39-38. The jagoff Rats fans in front of me talked so much **** with the Rats up 31-20 and left with the score 38-29 thinking they had a win. But damn it if we didn't come back and win that game. Set the table for a huge showdown with the Cheats the next week only to have the NFL steal the game from us. Jesse caught it.

12/20/15: Convinced my wife to let me fly out to see Peyton Manning play and he ended up being hurt and not playing. We fell behind 27-13 in the first half but scored 21 unanswered when AB went off in the second half. This also happened to the be the game where one Billy Gardell gave me a Steelers fan cave courtesy of Steeler Nation Unite on the Heinz Field big screen right after the Broncos went up 14 on us. It was so loud in the stadium I couldn't hear everything they gave me.

So what all did you end up getting?