BTSC 2016 Writer Profile: Robert Hitchcock

You came here for Pittsburgh Steelers news and insight.... and somehow accidentally clicked your way here.... I better make this good.

My name is Robert Hitchcock -- I am a 23 year old Pittsburgh Steelers connoisseur (self-proclaimed), that resides in Raleigh, NC. I have never played a second of organized football in my life, and have actually never lived in Pittsburgh either.

Does that stop me from bleeding black and gold? Nope.

Originally from Rochester, New York, I suffered through the harsh winters and impressive snow piles for the first eight years of my life. In 2000, my family finally wised up and realized moving south to warmer weather wasn't such a bad idea -- so we packed up and headed down to Durham, North Carolina (Go Duke, anyone?).

Where I was raised, even though Steelers Nation is everywhere, it is all about which shade of blue you ride and die for. In the Triangle area of North Carolina, you're in the heart of college basketball with Duke, UNC, and NC State all in a ten mile radius of each other.

My heart for the Pittsburgh Steelers comes from my family, and being brought up surrounded by it. I have a handful of family that calls Western Pennsylvania home. My grandparents, whom I am extremely close with, play a huge role in my life and reside in Little Washington-- just south of Pittsburgh. I have spent a tremendous amount of time in the Pittsburgh area, and between the beautiful downtown area and the hard working culture of the city, how can you not get sucked in? I still try to make my way up to Western Pennsylvania once or twice per year.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a sucker for Pittsburgh sports teams. The Carolina and New York based franchises never truly interested me. My favorite sports team overall, by far, is the Pittsburgh Steelers. I am Pirates for baseball, Penguins for hockey (although I do have a pretty big weak spot for the Carolina Hurricanes), and Duke for college athletics.

I have been fortunate enough to attend multiple Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins games-- all of which have an amazing atmosphere. There is something special about the city of Pittsburgh and how they back their teams.

I don't miss a Steelers game for anything. I base my life schedule around when the black and gold are playing -- some call that crazy, some call that life. Believe it or not, the North Carolina area gets a ton of the Steelers games on CBS, although I am an NFL Sunday Ticket-eer, as well, just to be safe.

Last May, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a business degree. In all honesty, throughout my entire education years, I absolutely hated writing. It's amazing how writing about topics you enjoy can change your whole perspective on the art.

I'm one of the newer writers to the BTSC, as I just joined this past offseason. I love to write controversial articles that get the BTSC community heated, and the comments section jumping-- for example, my articles "Should the Pittsburgh Steelers move on from WR Martavis Bryant?" and "Why Steelers Nation should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

Do I actually think the Steelers should release Bryant? Heck no, he's an incredible football player. Do I really think the Steelers are going to perform under expectation? Heck no, this is the year of the seventh ring. I just enjoy giving alternative perspectives to potentially hot topics.

I hope you all continue to enjoy my material, and I appreciate the chance to introduce myself!