Sports fans and many people with some sort of connection to the world, know what The Terrible Towel is and what it represents. For a Steelers fan, there is nothing like looking into a crowd full of waving Terrible Towels to get you pumped up for the game.
The Terrible Towel was created by former Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope. It was created to get fans excited for the 1975 playoff games. It was thought that the towel would drive the team to success, that when players would look into the crowd and see the overwhelming black and gold towels that they too would get excited for the game.
Taking the idea of "the 12th man" to a whole new level. The Terrible Towel gives fans a different way to feel as if they have some control over the outcome of the game. The Terrible Towel was a way to get the fans even more involved than just the normal chanting and booing. In some ways it has even become the mascot of the Pittsburgh Steelers making fans feel like they're an even bigger part of the teams success when they wave their towel. The Steelers do not have a bird that can walk around to get the crowd pumped up like teams such as the Cardinals or the Ravens. We have our Terrible Towel. It represents the team and the great people of the Steeler Nation. It has become an international symbol for the Steelers. People have taken The Terrible Towel all over the world. It has been to the top of Mount Everest, to the Great Wall of China, to the Olympic games, even to the International Space Station. Fans have even gone so far as to believe that the towel has a curse that would effect anyone who disrespects it. Most fans believe in that curse given the multiple incidents where teams seasons have fallen through after a player or mascot disrespected the towel. Believing in the curse makes fans feel even more power when they wave it knowing other teams cannot even touch it. Something every fan wants is to feel like they have a large impact on how well the team does, and the terrible towel does that for Steeler fans. It symbolizes not only a community but a nation and whether you're in downtown Pittsburgh or even the beaches of the west coast if you are a Steeler fan and you see that Terrible Towel you automatically feel a connection.
I think your article was very informative. I thought you made a really good point in saying that the terrible towel has almost become a mascot for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I really agree with this statement. I love the Steelers, but I really don't like the mascot Steely McBeam. I think that the terrible towel has been much more successful as a mascot for the team even though that was not the intention for it.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of family the Steeler Nation has is great. The towel is just a way to bring us all together. The fact that you can take a look into the stands at an away game and see more black and gold then the home teams color is amazing. The towels are everywhere and you hit it on the head with the 12th man aspect. It gets the fans involved.
ReplyDeleteThe towel is definitely a way to give the fan some "power". It gives them a physical and emotional existence during a game. They can wave that flag and truly feel connected with the team, and one other. The towel is more than just a piece of cloth, it is a symbol that represents a family, a family of fans.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "the 12th man" I instantly thought Seahawks and was like, cool, I like that team. Then I read about the terrible towel. Even though I hate the Steelers, I feel that this has many good points.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said it gives the fans the feeling that they have some control of the outcome. This perfectly describes eustress desires. Fans that feel eustress desires, will find fulfillment and achievement in "helping" contribute to their team's victory.
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