Steelers Related Minutaie

by Michael Bean on May 28, 2008 2:20 PM EDT

A few random links, videos and thoughts to kick off the afternoon:

* Let's get things started with a pick-me-up video featuring some of the big licks Steelers defenders have administered on unsuspecting opponents over the years. The video spans at least four decades I believe, perhaps even longer.

* Another feather in Big Ben's cap: His very own 'This is SportsCenter' commercial:

* Steelers fans in the area, sign your kid up for the Gatorade Junior Training Camp. The free camp has two sessions on June 22nd, and is free to all kids age 7-14. The kids will participate in drills, games, sportsmanship lessons and all that jazz. Hooray wholesomeness.

* It's been awhile since I've commented on the organization's local charity work. Three Steelers - Mewelde Moore, Gary Russel, and Anthony Trucks - visited the Children's Hospital in nearby Oakland to read to sick youth, sign autographs, and chat it up with the kids and their parents.

Gary, take your hat off! And sit up straight!

* Reading Suggestions:

This is an old article from the New York Times in 2005, but Michael Lewis, author of MoneyBall, The Blind Side, and many others, writes about Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach. If you're not familiar with Coach Leach, you need to be. He's the most interesting, innovative and refreshing coach in college football. Period. More current (and much shorter, but equally entertaining), follow-up reading on the man can be found here.
For those less inclined to immerse yourself in a long article, why not just check out this pictorial 'essay' on the Top 50 Universities ranked by looks.
A Dan Le Batard expose on rising MMA sensation Kimbo Slice.
Got kids? I highly suggest The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure. In it, you'll find a slew of accessible fun facts and explanations. I personally guarantee that any kid in 2nd-8th grade will enjoy it. Call me for a refund if they do not.

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Much better

Thank you big Ben for a better caliber commercial than American Idol.

by Chicago Steeler on May 28, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

awesome first video

Calling Steeler historians….if you watch the video around the 1 minute mark there are two big highlights by a #34 – who is that and are is it the same guy?

Also who is the #74 who stands up off the bench and creams a Browns player (or least it looked like a Browns uniform)?

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on May 28, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

i was wondering some of the same things

by Michael Bean on May 28, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

re: awesome first video

Hey cgolden…. I believe Andy Russell is the # 34 you’re referring to in the greatest hits video, he’s wearing the unique 1967 ” golden triangle ” style jersey worn only for that season.

As for the awesome hit by # 74, if I knew the year of the clip, I’d be able to provide the answer. Those Steeler media guides come in handy for this type of info. There were several players who wore that number during that time period

by SteelVision on May 28, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

follow-up

When did the Steelers, and teams more generally, start to put names on back of their jerseys.

And finally, quick note: if you were thinking if I was pimping that book for profit, no siree. Just a good book for kids that I thought Id share with the many dads we have here on the site.

by Michael Bean on May 28, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Illinois Girls of Engineering?!?

Even at #50, hot damn. I knew I’d been doing engineering at the two wrong places, but I didn’t realize how wrong of places they were.

by HinesField on May 28, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

lol

Ah, don’t feel bad. There’s some beauties up in Ithaca. Nevermind, scratch that :) I know all too well what you may be dealing with if it’s at all like Penn (I hope my gf doesnt read this, who I met there :/ )

by Michael Bean on May 28, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a single Texas school?

Is it too early to demand a recount?

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on May 28, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Im sure UT was on that list

by Michael Bean on May 28, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I must have missed it then

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on May 28, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

34 appears to be Andy Russell, late 60s-early 70s linebacker.

74 is mystifying me.

Thanks for the Lewis article. Blitz. I’m a fan of his work, and I’ve never seen this before. Nice to se that my Madden strategies have some real-world validation.

by Desroko on May 28, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

glad you liked it

I’ve got a loong piece coming soon based on a recent new yorker article by Malcolm Gladwell about innovation. I’m going to be tying it into football and I think Mike Leach and his philosophy will probably play a large role in my argument.

The guys a genius, one helluva cool dude, and has done wonders out there in West Texas. Every single starter returning on defense and I believe just about everybody on offense, including all five OL. Theyre in lots of peoples top 10s preseason. Catch a game everybody if you can. It’s mighty entertaining football.

by Michael Bean on May 28, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

#74 looks like Riley Gunnels.

Played for the Steelers in 65 and 66…Great to see Ernie Stautner in so many plays, and yes, #34 is Andy Russell.

by maryrose on May 28, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

That was an awesome video

I know I even saw some footage of players with no facemasks. Even though the Steelers didn’t win as much in the early years, they were always known for being a physical, punishing team. I loved seeing so many hits put on by Mean Joe Greene and Jack Lambert.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on May 28, 2008 6:18 PM EDT reply actions