Source
r/steelers•
JoshWaite93

A heartfelt message from a longtime fan from the UK

After waking up in my family home in the middle of England at midnight. A 12 year old Me was unable to sleep, I quickly found myself downstairs browsing the sports channels and stumbled upon super bowl XL. Instantly hooked.

I was a complete NFL outsider, at the time the UK did not embrace it at all! But I didn't care and the game was amazing. I told myself at the start of the game, whoever wins I will follow forever.

And here I am 15 years later. I've loved every late sunday night (sometimes going to bed at 2-3am) watching this amazing football team take the field every single week.

The most special thing I treasure though is all every single Steelers fan, you guys are literally the best! I never had any idea of the dedication you have. You're incredible people, following the team over the country and waving the terrible towels wherever you go, at the same time as being so so welcoming and supportive with me and everyone else on social media.

It was my plan to come to Pittsburgh this year to watch the game vs the Browns for my birthday (but you know what ruined that). Hopefully I will be able to finance being there next year with you guys because this is something I must be a part of for the rest of my life.

You're all thousands of miles away but my love for this organisation and the SteelerNation runs so so deep.

See you all real soon,

Joshua, from the UK

Posted Nov 16, 2020, 3:42 PM UTC

20634
silver420surfer:sa::a3::a4::sa: Andy Russell•

Great story!

Next year we should get tickets and join UK Joshua's 1st Steeler game.

33
Cpt_Jack_:sc::c1::c9::sc: JuJu Smith-Schuster•

I'll join from Germany if I'm able to

18
silver420surfer:sa::a3::a4::sa: Andy Russell•

Right on, make it happen Capt!

1
JoshWaite93OP•

I love this idea!🖤💛

13
silver420surfer:sa::a3::a4::sa: Andy Russell•

Hell yeah!!! Keep us posted on your plans Josh. Maybe we can buy like a section of seats depending on how many others are interested.

5
Happy_Bigs1021:primantis:Primanti Bro's•

I live in north shore like 6 blocks from the stadium if y’all wanna hang if this happens

2
silver420surfer:sa::a3::a4::sa: Andy Russell•

That sounds great Mr Bigs!

1
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
peezy199643•

Here We Go!!! 🍻

17
PandaKid•

I went to Pittsburgh from Leicester last December for the Bills game on my birthday!

You will love every bit of it. Go everywhere, wrap up tight and enjoy yourself. The game, we lost but I have never felt so overwhelmed in my life. Feeling Heinz Field shake, hearing Renegade. All of it is incredible. Total was about £7-800 all in but it was so worth it. Also did a PGH Luxury cruise on Game Day, which asically involves paying $40 to take a boat to the game where you can drink as much as you like, they also have a former Steeler on board for autographs etc.

Let me know if you have any questions about the trip!

12
JoshWaite93OP•

Oh my god I'm also from Leicester (Loughborough) this idea sounds amazing. It's got to be done next season, hopefully the world is back to normal then!

7
[deleted]•

If all else fails, get up to Sheffield for a playoff game. It's Pittsburgh's official sister city in England. The big Steeler bar up there might be closed, but lots of people support the team.

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
Corralis:watt:TJ Watt•

Also from the UK and I can tell you, Pittsburgh is an amazing city. I had so much fun and met some amazing people on my visit a few years ago. Just being able to be at Heinz field is a memory I'll never forget.

11
TheEvyEv•

Yo Josh. My old man got a Steelers truck and has been throwing tailgates since I was born (I'm like your age). Those Pittsburgh dad's take it very seriously with shark, calamari, steak, sausage, good drinks, speakers and TVs built into the tailgate.

This is not a flex- it's an invite to get a yinzer experience. For real, if you want to come for a shot-n-shark TM- feel free to message me when this mess is over.

For everyone else, it's lot G33, just follow the old dad music for a beer and bite

6
JoshWaite93OP•

That is so so kind of you, trust me. I'm gonna revisit this thread and I'm gonna be in touch my man! I love the sound of all of it!!! 🖤💛

4
take_tha_cannoli:sc::c4::c8::sc:•

glad to have you buddy, next year will be a party!

5
terrybradshawsballs:primantis:Primanti Bro's•

hell yes, a heartwarming story just when I needed one. Cheers!

5
zarolls:sh::h2::h3::sh: Joe Haden•

what a team you picked for super bowl XL! i don’t think it’s a coincidence we haven’t had a losing season since you started being a fan ;)

5
TheEvyEv•

Yo Josh. My old man got a Steelers truck and has been throwing tailgates since I was born (I'm like your age). Those Pittsburgh dad's take it very seriously with shark, calamari, steak, sausage, good drinks, speakers and TVs built into the tailgate.

This is not a flex- it's an invite to get a yinzer experience. For real, if you want to come for a shot-n-shark TM- feel free to message me when this mess is over.

For everyone else, it's lot G33, just follow the old dad music for a beer and bite

5
steelerfaninperuHeeeeeaaath•

We are glad to have you on board good sir. Please give the Queen my regards.

3
joecamp3432•

The greatest thing about this fan base is that no matter where you are in the world you will ALWAYS find a Steeler fan there

3
DeathToKardashians•

This was awesome man! Thanks for sharing! Absolutely love hearing stories about how people first started following/fell in love with the team. Might have to do a thread about it to hear more! Do you have Twitter or anything? Steelers Twitter is pretty damn funny too (Twitter is also kind of a cesspool at times though)

3
JoshWaite93OP•

Yes I do have Twitter, @joshjoshwaite I'm very much active on there representing 🖤💛

2
DeathToKardashians•

Sweet! I'll give you a follow. Fair warning though, MUFC supporter here lol

2
JoshWaite93OP•

I'm West Ham for Soccer, no rivalry there for me 👍

3
DeathToKardashians•

Green Street Elite! (And yes i know it's really ICF, I just really enjoyed that movie growing up haha)

2
Karnorkla•

I think you'll have a great time in Pittsburgh when you're able to come. It's a nice town. I lived there for about six years. Not a huge metropolis, just a lot of cool neighborhoods smashed together.

2
Extrovert108•

You are a great fan! Wave the Terrible Towel!!!

2
TUFFASS_SNAILS:PIT1::PIT2: Pittsburgh Steelers•

It really is crazy to think how much of my life I dedicate to carrying about the steelers. But without football, idk how i would go through the winter months.

2
maghoff•

Based in Manchester myself, I've been following the Steelers since the early nineties, and I feel your pain with MNF. Like yourself I was travelling to the US this year to watch the Titans game in Nashville then the Eagles at Heinz. Put everything on hold until next year just hoping for an interesting away game, followed by a trip to the 'burgh.

2
bigpaparozay•

Super bowl XL was my first game too!! I was only 5 at the time lol

2
AgentOrcish•

Nice! And when you come to Pittsburgh, you will be welcome!

It is a great city with great people.

2
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
ghunt81:sb::b0::b0::sb: BumbleBee Jersey•

Pittsburgh is a cool small city to hang out in regardless. I've only been to one Steelers game but love running up to Pittsburgh when I can (just not this year :( )

1