What is Pittsburgh going to do about Fitz Burgh?

He's a threat in the Super Bowl.

I mean, let's be honest.

Oh, the Steelers are going to have to know where he is.

And they're probably going to have to double him.

A superstar Cardinal now a pit standout then.

We're happy for his success but not too happy.

I love him but it's great.

Do you want him to win the Super Bowl?

No.

Also coming up, test your Steelers trivia with Dave and Dave.

Which college did Ben Roethlisberger attend and some NFL history.

Which team had the first cheerleaders?

So then I thought, well, I'll try out for Steeler.

It's the Steelers did it first.

It was a different time.

You just didn't expose yourself like that.

And there were rules.

You weren't allowed to fraternize with any of the players.

Great memories from these local ladies who served as SteelerettesOn Q. Starts right now.

And welcome to On Q. I'm Michael Bartley.

With Super Bowl Sunday fast approaching.

The Pittsburgh regio is getting more and more excited that our Steelers will become the only team in the NFL to win six Lombardi Trophies.

And as strong as our support is for the Steelers, there are some here who have deep respect for an Arizona Cardinal who made a lasting impact on and off the field here in Pittsburgh.

For them, the Super Bowl brings divided loyalties with our Steelers facing Fitzgerald.

Pitt students say they love any reason to celebrate.

Wild.

Always wil whenever the Steelers win here.

It's crazy.

And that Forbes and Bigelow, the heart of the campus at the Pit Stop outdoor sports merchandise store vendor Chuck Bowen.

A source says Steelers merchandise is selling faster than Pitt Panthers stuff, and he's getting requests for special orders, a popular shir he carried about five years ago.

It's going to say Fitz Burgh because she hasn't emailed me back yet, so just bring it all come together Fitz Burgh.

Howard Goodman, wants one.

Why do you want, a Fitz Burgh shirt?

It's for a friend in Arizona who just moved there.

They want to have this share of both loyalties for Arizona and for Pittsburgh.

Fitz Burgh As in Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh.

What do you think of Larry Fitzgerald?

I love him, he's great.

Do you want him to win the Super Bowl?

No.

Actually, there's plenty of love around here for this young supersta Arizona Cardinals receiver who first made a name for himsel as an All-American Pitt Panther.

Bonus sort respects him.

Hope he does well, but not too well against our Steelers.

I remember Larry, I knew hi personally from on the corner.

We had, Fitz Burgher shirts.

For Fitzgerald.

We call them Fitz Fitz burger shirts.

And we had number one on them.

And he was a great he was humble.

He was quiet.

You wouldn't you didn't even know he was on the team.

He was so quiet.

Larry's a nice guy, but but I like to see Larry get about 3 or 4 catches for a couple yards.

But the Steelers 30 10 and, And I hope Larry gets the touchdown and kicks the extra point.

But go Steelers but go Steelers right.

Pitt students adamantly support their teams their Panthers and their Steelers.

I hope Fitz does well though.

But not win but not win.

Okay, that one had to be bad.

Make this a pretty depressing Sunday.

Yeah, well, you PIT guys would miss out on a nice party.

Yeah.

Got to have a party on Sunday.

Even though there's classes Monday morning on the south side, just a few feet from the Steelers headquarters and practice facilities.

Larry Fitzgerald's Arizon Cardinals shirt hangs with pride at the Pitt Panther footbal front offices and Hall of Fame.

You're the only coach remaining who coached Larry.

Yes.

Yeah.

On this current state.

Right?

Exactly right.

You know, so it's I mean, again it's just an unbelievable story about Larry Bob Junco, who now works in pit recruiting and football development, was assistant head coach of the Panthers while Larry Fitzgerald thrived here.

If you look around the Hall of Fame sure there's Marino and Dorsett and other famous Panthers, but right in the center, a tribute to Fitzgerald's celebrated career at Pitt and on the hallway walls were pictures pay tribute to Pitt's memorable moments.

Fitzgerald is all over.

Considered one of the greatest receivers in Pitt history.

He's on the cover of ESPN magazine the month before he was drafted in 2004, and that famous catch against Texas A&M while being covered by three defenders.

It's unbelievable.

Some of the catches that he made.

Fitzgerald was a Heisman runner up, the national player of the year, just to name a few.

Major awards.

That's a bullet in the guts when Larry won it.

I mean, the number of touchdown catches that he made.

I mean, he still holds the record for that.

You know, I mean, consecutive games played with touchdowns.

So I mean, he's he's got all kind of records here.

And it physically is that he had the biggest hands that I've ever been around long arms and could catch the football.

So it I mean they were all physically that I think that's what Larry had.

And don't blame Coach Junco for loving the fact that Fitzgerald's Cardinals shirt hangs here.

He's an extraordinary athlete.

Yes.

But Junco says Larry Fitzgerald is the most respectful, pleasant young man he has ever coached.

When he ran for the Heisman.

I mean, you know, we really felt that that he was going to win it and, you know, came in second and in how he conduct himself, you know, at the Heisman show and all that wa just made us feel so proud that, you know, he was from Pitt.

He's a, a little youngster, you know, in a big body, but just so respectfu and and would ask you anything.

I mean, he was not that he was naive, but he was just that type of person.

You know, I have to I have to tell you.

Yeah.

Sheer talent.

He works so hard, but he's a nice guy.

It's no wonder the country is falling in love with this.

Oh, no.

No, no.

And like you said, he work.

He was the first one on the football field here.

He was the last one off.

We'd had to run him out of here at night because he'd worked so hard studying film watching.

Who's, you know, the defender wa and how he could beat him and, you know, on his pants route and stuff like that.

I mean, it's just amazing.

But he was so good.

You know, off the field I mean that's that's hard to believe becaus a lot of guys weren't like that.

So I take it, coach, you're not surprised that he's i the position he's in right now?

No, no.

You know, like I said, I've been around some great ones.

And let me tell you, he's by far the the greatest one I've been around.

People in Pittsburgh, you're from Washington, PA.

We want to see Larry Fitzgerald do well.

But I got to tell you, if we walk, if you and I walk out of this building 20 yards.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are practicing for the Super Bowl right now.

This is put you in a tough position.

Oh, yeah I'm I'm a Pittsburgh guy.

I mean I mean, when it comes to the you know the Steelers I mean they're my team and they've always been my team.

And this is my city.

And, but Larry's one of our guys.

And so, you know, we want him to do, you know, unbelievable what he's done, you know?

But, you know, rooting for him.

It's very difficult now because you really torn.

You really are.

So it it's a tough situation for us.

It really is.

So maybe down the road we want Larry to get a Super Bowl ring, but not this time around.

Yes, yes, he'll get his.

I hope that he'll get.

Is he really will.

The one thing I remember about Larry, voice of the Steelers and Panthers Bill Hillgrove, also praises Fitzgerald's talent.

Larry Fitzgerald has it at the 20 yard line when the ball is in the air.

There's nobody on the field knows where better it's going to come down than Larry Fitzgerald.

I can almost compare it to Bill Verdin under a fly ball at Forbes Field.

He would run to a spot, turn around and there was a ball.

Larry has that innate sense.

In addition to those God given physical skills which are superior in just about every department, he's a threat in the Super Bowl.

I mean, let's be honest.

Oh, the Steelers are going to have to know where he is, and they're probably going to have to double them most of the day.

And that may open things up for other people I think for the Steelers.

The key is to be more effective on the front end, putting enough pressure and enough doubt in Kurt Warner's mind that he can't always go to his line is his blanket.

Did you call him and wish him good luck?

You're going to do that?

Yeah, we'll do that.

You know, that's like when when I was in the hospital a couple of years ago, you know, he was one of the first calls I got.

So, you know, it meant a lo to me, you know, that he called.

So my he's he's special.

He's very special, you know, not only on the field but off the field.

Pittsburghers who know and love Larry Fitzgerald say he'd be the first to understan that while they want him to win a Super Bowl ring, they don't want him to get it this coming Sunday that it's out of respect.

Some will wear a Forsberg shirt, but come Sunday night, the more appropriate shirt will be sixburgh.

As you may know, there are many other Pittsburgh connections with the Cardinals receivers.

Steve Preston is from Braddock, lineman Reggie Wells from South Park, coaches Whisenhunt and Grimm won a Super Bowl with the Steelers, just to name a few.

All that said, Go Steelers!

And of course, Steelers fans are known as some o the greatest fans in the world.

No doubt about that.

But can you imagine a time when the team needed some extra help to get the crowd going?

It is hard to believe, but they absolutely did.

Can you imagine that the Pittsburgh Steelers were actually the first team in the NFL to have a cheerleading squad?

These young women revved up the home crowd from 1961 to 1970.

Then they just disappeared from the sidelines.

So we thought we would reconnect with these women and sit down and talk with them and tell you more about this little known part of Steelers history.

Mention the Pittsburgh Steelers and you instantly think of terrible towns, crazy fans, and Super Bowl celebrations.

But there's one group of folks who may not as easily come to mind the Pittsburgh Steelerettes.

You guys were the first in the NFL, the first in the NFL, the very first cheerleader in the National Football League.

The first Steelerettes squad was formed in 1961 as the team was facing yet another losing season.

That's when Steelers entertainment coordinator William V day came up with an idea.

He recruited young women from Robert Morris Junior College to hel to get more fans to the games.

What made you want to join?

I was a cheerleader in high school all through high school, so I thought when I started Robert Morris they had tryouts and I thought, well, I'll try out for Steelerettes in those days.

You know, they really did nee someone to get them going today.

You know, with the terrible towels.

They don't need very much encouragement.

But in those days, they did.

Tricia Tanner and Bonnie Body Gal cheered together for two years.

Noreen Mercer Rotary was part of an earlier squad.

They all have fond memories of their time on the field.

Our whole family just love football and it was just a natural progression to want to be part of a group that celebrated football.

So that's why I, you know, I saw the tryouts and I said, oh you know, I'll, I'll try that.

And we made it and was just thrilled and enjoyed every single moment of it.

I can't, can't say how much I enjoyed it because it was just fabulous, fabulous and fun.

This video from YouTube shows the Steelerettes performing of 1964.

But no matter when the women were a part of the squad, they'll tell you it wasn't always glamorous.

It was practice.

Almost every night during the game time.

We did mostly dance routine and some cheers and the pyramid, which the Steelers were known for.

We mainly danced and did acrobatics.

When we cheered, it was just, you know, go Steelers or first and ten do it again, that sort of thing.

Along with the practices, there were several rules to be followed.

You weren't allowed to fraternize with any of the players.

You were forbidden by the Rooneys and the organization.

Steelerettes also couldn't be marrie and had to maintain a C average.

More importantly, they had to keep a positive attitude.

No matter what changes cam about, each squad starting in 60 through 69 had a different uniform.

And the two years that I cheered, we had three different uniforms, three different uniforms that I eventually donated two of them to the Heinz History Sports Museum.

Bonnie's uniform and megaphone stand proudly on display.

Tricia recently gave one of her uniforms to the Sports Museum too.

Where did you keep it all these years?

And what made you finally decide to donate it?

Actually, my mother was ver good about that sort of thing.

I didn't even realize for the longest time that I still had it.

She had it in a cedar closet that we had in the house.

When you look at the NFL today and you see the cheerleaders who dress much differently than you all did back then, what do you think?

Vegas.

It was a different time.

You just didn't expose yourself like that and it just wasn't done.

But at least one time, the Steelers did wear a somewhat risque outfit.

We had little black short skirts and a leotard that we wore.

It didn't last long and the girls happily switched back to corduroy jumpers.

It looks much better.

More important than looks were the friendships these women developed.

They reconnected as adults and now hold annual reunions.

We didn't get together til 2001, and it was like time had never passed and everybody knew everybody else.

It was nobody changed.

But, you know, we changed.

But for some reason, everybody just kne everybody who was on the squad.

You know, with with you at the time.

So it was just fab.

It was it was great.

I think the friendships over the we've remained friends over the years.

It's just that's the special part of the whole thing.

From 1961 to 1970, as the Steelers struggled, the Steelers Jets were a fixture at every home game.

By the time the team moved to Three Rivers Stadium, the Steelers Jets were disbanded.

It wasn't long after tha that the Steelers began to win.

Did you ever look at those teams of the 70s and say, if only?

Yeah, we have done that.

That would be great to be par of that winning combination of of the Super Bowls that they won and and get caught up on all that.

But, you know, it is what it is and you know it.

It's fine.

Were you saddened when the Steelers went away?

I think at first it felt bad, but not anymore.

That's because the women say they have so much to be thankful for, including their friendships and their place in Steelers history.

How do you feel about that?

That they don't have cheerleaders anymore?

I think that's fine.

They have the terrible time and they have the fan that are just really wonderful.

I don't really think they need cheerleaders.

Back when we cheered.

It was it was a different time, different era.

You can tell people about it, but they don't understand because it was such a unique time for us and it's such a unique group of women.

What would you say was the best thing about this experience?

I guess because so much time has passed, I would have to say no.

It's the friendships that I have with the other women.

The bonding and being here today is very special to root on the team.

So why exactly did the Steelerettes go away?

Well, you know, the Rooneys are always about the basics.

And Mr.

Rooney decide that the team just did not need the cheerleaders anymore.

Of course that does not take away from the ladies an their experiences that they had.

In fact, they even have their own website.

And you can link to the Steelers website through our website wqed.org/OnQ and Michael Bonney, Tricia and Nori are all predicting big wins for the Steelers.

Good Friday on Sunday.

And really they when they cheered, they were at Pitt Stadium or at Forbes Field.

And just what a great part of history.

50 women get together a couple times a year now to celebrate, and those who live locally, they get together on a regular basis.

What a great story and great trivia too.

But they weren't paid.

No, they were not paid.

And they were all students at that point at Robert Morris Junior College.

So along with doing all of their schoolwork and their homework, there they were practicing.

And during the season, they practiced several nights a week and I went, whoa!

They weren't allowed to.

If they got married, they were off the squad.

Norine, who was in our story, she was only a Steelerettes for one year, 1964.

She got married the next year and so it was bye bye Norine.

I guess at that time, just thinking about it, it' not a job for a married woman.

And if you look at things today, there are only about seven teams in the NFL that have who do not have cheerleaders do not.

So the Rooneys were the first, but they remained just all about the game.

Back to the basics at the basics, Tonia, a great story.

Thanks so much.

Well, here' a question from years gone by.

What team did the Steelers beat in the famous Immaculate Reception game?

We've got a black and gold trivia quiz went On Q continues.

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With the Super Bowl just days away, there's no shortage of Steelers news coming from all directions.

But how much do you know about the Steelers trivia?

The last tim the team went to the Super Bowl On Q, contributors Dave and Dave put together a quiz for the Steeler Nation.

You can play along and see if your score has improved from the last Super Bowl.

Dave.

Here we go.

Steelers is all I'm hearing.

It's the talk of the town.

It certainly is Dave.

You watch all the games.

You know all the players.

But how much do you really know about your favorite football team.

Today we're here at Monroeville Mall.

We're going to talk to some people, find out what they know about the Pittsburgh Steelers and maybe do a little shopping.

First question which side of the helmet is the Steelers logo on the left side?

The right to left.

This side.

On the left side.

You seem very sure.

On the left side.

On the sides.

Oh, okay.

Wait a side.

Is it on both sides or one side?

Right side.

I'm going with the right side.

Right.

Good answer.

One for one.

Good start.

John.

Which college did Ben Roethlisberger attend?

You're wearing his jersey.

I can't help but notice Notre Dame.

I'm saying Ohio State.

I know he's from Ohio, but I'm not sure.

Miami of Ohio.

There we go.

I'll give you a half point.

Miami has a point.

All right.

Miami up.

Ohio.

Miami of Ohio.

Okay.

What was the original name of the Steelers when Art Rooney bought the team in 1933?

The hint.

It wasn't the Steelers.

Well, that helps.

I'm gonna say the Pittsburgh Eagles.

Ironman carmakers.

That's someone's call.

Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yes, yes.

You got it.

I didn't know that.

Oh, now you do.

You can.

You can amaze and dazzle your friends with that fact.

How many Steeler have had their numbers retired?

Three.

Three.

Three.

Twice.

I don't know, two.

Six.

But five of them?

None officially.

Are you sure?

Yep.

Good.

He's correct.

Steelers do not retire numbers.

However, they don't use about seven numbers.

Who caught Terry Bradshaw's longest touchdown pass?

It's a trick question.

We'll tell you that up front Lynn Swann and Franco Harris.

No, it's the other guy, John Stallworth.

You want a lifeline?

Yeah Do you want to phone a friend?

Yeah.

Can I do that?

Yep.

Terry Bradshaw.

When I phone you he looked a lot like Magnum Pi.

I forgo about that in the early 91 yard.

It looks kind of like Tom Selleck.

Who's Tom Selleck?

You probably don't know him.

Yeah.

No, I wasnt even born.

You want to go back to shopping now?

Yeah.

What player holds the records for most games played by a Steeler, Jack Lambert?

I'd say John Cole.

I'm saying Jerome Bettis.

Jerome Bettis.

Okay.

I'm thinking I went to the 1,000th game last year on the program.

They had Mel Blount, Mike Webster, Donnie Shell and Dick Hoak on the front.

Let's just say it's in that group before you named one o those games played by Steeler.

No one had 200 hits on him.

He said it's not the Hoak.

Is it Mike Webster?

Yeah.

By process of elimination, iron Mike Webster.

During World War two, the Steelers had to merge with two other teams.

Name either of them.

Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia.

Nice.

Oh.

That was what if I said Steagles?

Oh!

Seattle.

Seattle.

Steelers.

Eagles.

Oh, Eagles.

Okay, I'm thinking of the.

See, I don't even think it was advanced to Seattle by then.

We weren't even across the Mississippi by World War two.

Chicago Cardinals was the other.

What three colors make up the diamonds in the Steeler logo?

Blue.

Yellow and red.

Red, blue and yellow.

Blue, yellow and red.

I didn't look you in the eye, you know.

You didn't even see was above board.

Most people do stare at my chest when they talk.

Black, yellow and white.

Number nine.

What team did the Steelers beat in the famous Immaculate Reception game?

Oilers.

Cleveland Browns.

Rams.

Their colors are black and silver.

I is it the Eagles?

No, not not Oakland.

There we go.

Raiders.

Oakland Raiders.

It starts with Oakland Raiders.

Here's the good news okay.

This is the last question.

All right.

How are you at spelling.

That's a trick question.

I can spell.

Okay.

Here we go.

Okay.

Spell Von Oelhoffen say the name again.

Von Oelhoffen.

Not only is it hard to spell, it's hard to say.

Vo in space.

Oh, l h wait.

There's an H in there somewhere.

You wanna look at it?

No, no, no, I swea I wasn't picked up my clipboard.

No VA u g h and no VA and Stevie Ray Vaughan all thinking, okay o f. N von.

Yes, h h o l. Yeah.

There's a bad beginning.

Okay.

That middle there h l f e m. Yes.

I thought it was goin to be like an easy word.

Like.

Good, I can't spell.

I don't know anything about the Steelers.

I want to go shopping.

Do you know anything about the Penguins?

No, you're just wearing that.

I'm just wearing the jersey.

Go Steelers.

For the record, after Von Oelhoffen got his Super Bowl ring with the Steelers, he went on to play for the Jets and then the Eagles.

Also, former Eagles to I guess.

Yeah.

Here's the trivia question.

How did the Steelers get the name.

The Steelers.

Well steel industry.

Yeah.

But do you know the process how they arrived there.

No.

Tell me.

I only know this because because I was at the History Center the other day.

They held a contes and there was a man from Clarion who picked the name the Steelers.

Really?

And at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, they have the letter that Ar Rooney wrote to this man saying, congratulations, we picked your your Steelers name.

And in exchange, he got season tickets for one season to the game.

Oh, I thought you're goin to say for every season forever.

That was great though.

All right.

See up.

And you know a lot of those questions too.

There you go.

So there you go.

A reminder Friday night is On Q. Is Off.

Q on Friday nights.

This week we have a special Super Bowl edition of Off Q with observations and predictions from people.

You know a bit about Steelers victories.

Chris Moore will be joine by some of the Steeler greats.

Mike Wagner, who played in fou Super Bowls with the Steelers, also playing in four Super Bowls for the Black and gold J.T.

Thomas.

They can give us the player's perspective, and many of you will remember Dan Rather Kovacevic, who at different time he was an offensive and defensive line coach for the Steeler and went to three Super Bowls.

Tune in for Off Q the Super Bowl edition Frida night, tomorrow night at 7:30.

We're just a wealth of information here tonight.

That'll do it for this episode for Tonia Caruso the entire On Q staff.

I'm Michael Bartley Thanks for watching.

Good night.