Starting Them Young: How To Raise Steelers Fans

As a proud parent to kids who love sports, there’s no contesting the amount of enthusiasm you feel for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a team you will want the next generation to appreciate, as they have done the city proud by winning a total of six Super Bowls. This feat deserves to be immortalized, and what better way to do that than to share your love for the Terrible Towel with your kids? 

It may be easy to some, but as a parent, it pays to not inspire an almost cult-like attitude to the team. At the same time, it could be difficult to instill in your kids a sense of identity with the Steelers and their fellow Yinzers. Your child might not even have a fondness for football, but there’s nothing wrong with that. However, your focus is to help them form a deeper appreciation for the sport and nurture a local identity that is best epitomized by a local sports team. You can at least try by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Introduce them to the Steelers early on

If you’ve just welcomed a new member into your family, you might as well consider naming them after Steelers superstars like T.J. Watt or George Pickens. However, a better way is to expose your toddler to Steelers merch. Consider a themed party for their first birthday, complete with a cake designed in black and gold. You can also go for life-sized standees of legends like Ben Roethlisberger and Franco Harris. As they grow and have their room, they decorate their space with memorabilia and merchandise. This level of exposure can help them develop a deeper fondness for the Steelers and their importance in your child’s formative years.

2. Watch videos about Steelers' history

Appreciation for the Steelers goes beyond decorating your house with mementos. You should also allow your child to watch the team in action, starting with watching videos of the Steelers’ Super Bowl performances in the past. 

As your child grows older, you may want to spend quality time with them by revisiting some of the team’s most iconic plays. Begin by allowing your child to watch the Steelers’ 1972 playoff game with the Raiders so they could witness the Immaculate Reception. This moment in NFL history cemented the Steelers as a formidable force in sports, so savoring it nurtures your child’s fondness for the team.

3. Watch a live game together

The perfect way you can get your child to become invested in the Steelers is by having them watch their first live game. Not only is it the perfect opportunity to bond with your child, but it’s also a valuable time for them to learn more about football. The energy they feel from fellow fans will also contribute to their love and devotion for the team. 

Whether it’s a playoff game or you’re fortunate enough to score end zone seats, having your child watch the Steelers do their magic on the field will only motivate them to remain faithful. Just be sure to behave better than most fans and guard your child from any disrespectful behavior they might think is normal. 

4. Enroll your child in a football clinic

You know you’ve raised a real Steelers fan when they dream of going pro in the future. If anything, they might even aim for a spot in the Steelers’ Super Bowl roster. It might seem a long shot, but the sooner they build the skills necessary to become a Steeler, the likelier they are to cut. You just have to support your child’s early development as a potential player, starting with enrolling them in an NFL-recognized youth camp. 

Much like parents who want to see their future MLB players develop in a summer youth clinic complete with quality baseball field lights and other amenities, you will want your child to thrive in a football camp where they can live out their dream of being a Steelers quarterback.

Endnote

Raising kids to become Steelers fans isn’t a matter of forcing them to love the team. It should come naturally as you expose them to the reasons why it’s the greatest NFL roster, because it is.