Watching Football is Different For Me Now?

Now that I’ve been with the team for about 7 months, I’ve realized that when I’m watching the games at home or at work, I find myself yelling at the TV, calling the guys and coaches by their first names. I make comments to coworkers like “he looks really intimidating on the field, but he’s one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met.” I get more disappointed than I used to when someone does something wrong and I get happier when I see something great happen. I laugh harder when I see touchdown dances or sideline conversations or little things that some of them do. I can joke with people who look like “proud dads” during after-game interviews. You come up with nicknames for your coworkers. Numerous people pass and say “Hey Alexa, what’s the Steelers record?” (since Amazon decided to name something after ME!)  After being around the staff, players and coaches at the Sports Complex for so long (and it’s really seemed like just a few weeks), you pick up on everyone’s personalities, sense of humor, etc. I’ve realized who I can joke with and make fun of for little things. I’ve learned everyone’s names (finally after 7 months I have it down!) and what their jobs are. People know my personality, my jokes and sarcasm, etc. I feel like people always see football players just as football players and nothing else. But they are human beings and they really are just like you and me. I’ve known that for a very long time, but some people still have yet to realize that. Their profession is to play football. But they still have family and friends, they still like to go out or stay in and play COD all day. Honestly, everyone in the building that I am in are some of the greatest people I have ever worked with. Whether it be staff of 25+ years or rookies on the team. I used to always hear that “football is family” but never really knew what that meant…until I started working with the best team in football.

Rock Steelers Style 2017

On October 20, 2017, Rock Steelers Style 2017 was in full swing at Stage AE! The best way for me to describe it is New York Fashion Week meets Black and Gold. Think of all of your favorite Steelers players hitting the runway (and in some scenes with their families) for a fashion show while throwing Terrible Towels and other goodies out to audience members. Plus other performers (such as the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater), Arthur Moats and Marcus Tucker playing a piano duet and special judges Santonio Holmes and Jerome Bettis! I was in charge of getting guests in attendance signed up for the silent auction that was held before and during the fashion show that benefited the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program and Cancer Caring Center. Since everything was online and we were given iPads, the process was simple and fast for each guest. With minimal information needed, most guests seemed happy that it did not take very long to sign up and they were able to proceed into the cocktail area with plenty of time before the show. Because my main job was the silent auction, I was actually able to sneak in and watch some of the show! And let me tell you, those guys know how to put on a show whether it be on the field or the runway! Fans love them in both settings! Right before the show ended, winners of the silent auction items were sent a message via text to confirm their prize. My director, her assistant and myself then spent a half hour after the show giving the prizes to the respected winners. Everything from a Super Bowl trip to a restaurant gift card basket were won. Although some parts of the night were a little stressful, all in all it was a great, fun night for two great causes!