Steelers fans refuse to wave the white towel

[mesaSteeler]

Steelers fans refuse to wave the white towel
Posted: January 19, 2009, 3:00 PM by Sarah Millar
Football, NFL
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/b...g-instead.aspx

(Photo: The Steelers refused to wave the league's new "Trophy Towel" against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, opting to stick with the tried and true, yellow Terrible Towel. Al Bello/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are upset at the NFL's decision to introduce what they call "Trophy Towels" in a city where the Steelers fans already have the gold-coloured Terrible Towel that they've used to rally their team for over 30 years.

The league-approved towel was introduced at Sunday night's AFC and NFC Championship games. Cardinals' fans could be seen waving the white towels after Arizona won the NFC on Sunday afternoon. Steelers fans were seen waving nothing but their trademark yellow towels after their win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Pittsburgh fans are a little miffed about the whole thing. Bill Hillgrove has a particular problem with the new towels because he knew Myron Cope, the Steelers radio commentator who invented the Terrible Towel and who died 11 months ago.

"I think he would be insulted. It's a shame," Hillgrove told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The towel had magic with Myron, and it's become a symbol of the Steeler Nation. Fans know their money is going to charity, and now this one is being sold for profit. I have an ethical problem with that.

"Like all the other towels that have surfaced out there, it's a cheap imitation," he added. "I think it's a dumb idea. It's a ripoff. A copycat."

Critics argue the new white towel has numerous problems. The first? At 24 inches by 48 inches, it's just too big to wave properly. The second? It retails for about US$24.99, three times more than the $6 cost of the Terrible Towel (and, as mentioned, proceeds from the Terrible Towel's sales goes to charity).

The NFL maintains it is not trying in anyway to replace the Terrible Towel with the Trophy Towel.

"We're well aware of Steeler history," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "We think it will add to the celebration and give fans another way of sharing in their team's accomplishments. We'll test it out."

Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke told the Post-Gazette the new towel comes down to the bottom line for the NFL.

"In this economy, anything to make money, right? It's a money-making scheme," he said.

"People aren't going to wave this towel. It's too big to wave."

[jjpro11]

can someone at least post a picture of the thing? i still havent seen it yet and would at least like to see what the ripoff looks like.

[Polamalu43]

Exactly we don't need ten cheap white towels man, we already got our TT.. Whenever i see other fans waiving towels, i just sit back and smile and say " They sure wish they were TT"

[NEPAsteeler]

I love how most teams only have towels doing the playoffs and we proudly wave our Terrible Towel all year long. Losers.

Anways, Super Bowl, here we come! Can't wait to see those yellow towels waving in Tampa.

[Polamalu43]

We taking over tampa fellas believe that!!

[quadruple yoi]

Originally Posted by jjpro11

can someone at least post a picture of the thing? i still havent seen it yet and would at least like to see what the ripoff looks like.

here ya go........

[TeeJay]

Pittsburgh fans are a little miffed about the whole thing. Bill Hillgrove has a particular problem with the new towels because he knew Myron Cope, the Steelers radio commentator who invented the Terrible Towel and who died 11 months ago.

"I think he would be insulted. It's a shame," Hillgrove told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The towel had magic with Myron, and it's become a symbol of the Steeler Nation. Fans know their money is going to charity, and now this one is being sold for profit. I have an ethical problem with that.

"Like all the other towels that have surfaced out there, it's a cheap imitation," he added. "I think it's a dumb idea. It's a ripoff. A copycat."

What Bill said

[TeeJay]

Originally Posted by quadruple yoi

here ya go........

That ain't no Towel, that's a freaking duvet cover!!

Twirl that and you'll have someone's eye out!!

[beSteelmyheart]

Waving a white towel also stinks of surrender & surrender is not in our creed!

[lilyoder6]

thats more like a beach towel or something.. that is pathetic