Question For Ya'll

Before I start, know that I just graduated from Pitt and therefore am well versed in Pittsburgh fandom. I agree, it’s absolutely ridiculous. However, I (reluctantly) feel the need to disagree.

Your characterization must be called a stereotype, for that is a gross generalization. Yes, a lot of Western Pennsylvania is undereducated, but please leave the inbred white trash in West Virginia (Morgantown, specifically) where it belongs. Pittsburgh is a fantastic city with plenty of excellent, intelligent people. It is only when discussing their sports franchises that one begins to grow a strong distaste and disrespect for Pittsburghers. But even then, their passion is obvious and rivals the passion of Philadelphians. The difference, and I’ve complained about this to no end, is that Pittsburgh hates Philadelphia. Legitimately hates Philadelphia. From the Eagles to the Phillies to the Flyers. And the only one that makes sense is the Flyers since they are division rivals. Philadelphia, meanwhile, hates the Mets, Cowboys, Giants, Devils, Rangers, and Penguins and whoever they are playing that day. Notice a similarity? Division rivals. I chalk this up to getting less attention in the state, but it could be many reasons. Either way, it’s irrational.

I am perfectly okay with them thinking the Penguins rival the Flyers in success. They won back to back Cups, so did we. They did it 15 years after we did, which goes in their favor. They also have a long history of success, just like us but not as sustained. They also have a long list of prominent NHL stars (Mullen, Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, Malkin to name a few) just like us. They have a legitimate claim to success.

Next, Crosby is insanely talented. He is clearly the leader of that team. Without knowing any locker room, who are we (or they) to say he’s a terrible Captain? What makes a good Captain? You know it when you see it, but that mainly involves leading your team, taking responsibility, protecting teammates, and setting the tone. While he sucks at fighting and whines a lot, he knows it’s his team and he acts like it. Noone outside of that locker room can say he sucks as a Captain.

Lastly, I have plenty of friends from college who are Pittsburgh fans. Almost all of my friends who are Penguins fans know just as much about hockey as I do and can have a very strong conversation on hockey. You must be hanging out with the wrong people. Besides, you don’t make your point well by using the wrong word (infinity rather than infinitely) while calling them dumb.

This was a rather harsh rebuke, I know, but you are not helping to create an intelligent dialog between two fan bases by using generalizations to complain about them. Philadelphia has a lot of stupid, blindly loyal fans too. And we have to hear about it. Some of it I’m proud of, some I’m not. Either way, every city has this. Hopefully Pensburgh has rational members willing to engage in friendly banter and trash talking. I for one think it will be fun.

Besides, when I went to a Flyers game in Pittsburgh, the worst they had to shout at me was “Boooo!” and give a thumbs down. I was disappointed. Not one called me gay. Not one suggested I had inappropriate relations with my mother. Not even a single derogatory word about my team. I’m not afraid of them. At least we throw beer. At $6.50 a bottle, THAT’S hardcore.