"We know the Pirates are the talk of the town, but we're about to kick off the season ourselves," Steeler PR flack Robert Brenneman said today. "We don't want to lose out on making money - er, I mean fan enthusiasm - for our games."
Actor Hal Sparks, who created the Zoltan character in 'Dude, Where's My Car?" is expected to lead the first twirl of The Terrible Towel at the Steelers' home opener. "This is just awesome," Sparks said today from Hollywood. "Last year I got to throw out a first pitch, and now I get to twirl the towel. I don't know what the Penguins got going, but I'm up for visiting Pittsburgh this winter, too."
Other possible Steeler marketing plans include shark tanks in the locker room, player bobbleheads, and fireworks. Players will be learning the "Z" hand formation when they return to practice on Tuesday.
One thing the Steelers will not be co-opting is the Pirates' "Raise It" slogan, which refers to hoisting the Jolly Roger flag for a Pirate win. "We thought about using that phrase for the net that goes up behind the goal posts," Brenneman said. "But given that we seem to score field goals instead of touchdowns on drives, we thought fans might start using the term derisively."
