stillers4me
12-26-2010, 08:12 AM
An exclusive interview with Steelers president Art Rooney II, whose franchise has opened the gates at Heinz Field to the Winter Classic:
Q: Was there hesitation to alter your team's schedule to accommodate the Winter Classic?
A: We just weren't sure we could do it. In the end we just felt like it was going to be something special for the city and obviously for the Penguins to be in it as the home team. It's something they wanted to do, and for us to have it at Heinz Field is maybe a once-in-a-long-time situation. We just thought we had to go for it because of that. It was, "Let's do it now, let's not wait." This could be the most exciting event we've had in this city for a long, long time.
Q: The Steelers usually take a bus to Cleveland the night before playing there, which they will do the day of the Classic. Will you be on that bus?
A: I can't speak for my dad (Dan Rooney), but I can say I'm staying back for the Classic. I'll probably have to drive to Cleveland by myself later that night. I'm not going to miss the hockey game, that's for sure. Hopefully some Penguins fans will follow me up to Cleveland for our game.
Q: What do you expect the Classic atmosphere to be like?
A: I do think you'll see people with Terrible Towels in the stands. There will be something unmistakable about that. Get the word out for people to bring the Terrible Towels. Yeah, I think people outside the city will see something on TV that is unique in terms of the relationship between two franchises.
Q: Is it true your dad tried to sell Sidney Crosby on playing quarterback?................
Read more @ http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_715420.html
Q: Was there hesitation to alter your team's schedule to accommodate the Winter Classic?
A: We just weren't sure we could do it. In the end we just felt like it was going to be something special for the city and obviously for the Penguins to be in it as the home team. It's something they wanted to do, and for us to have it at Heinz Field is maybe a once-in-a-long-time situation. We just thought we had to go for it because of that. It was, "Let's do it now, let's not wait." This could be the most exciting event we've had in this city for a long, long time.
Q: The Steelers usually take a bus to Cleveland the night before playing there, which they will do the day of the Classic. Will you be on that bus?
A: I can't speak for my dad (Dan Rooney), but I can say I'm staying back for the Classic. I'll probably have to drive to Cleveland by myself later that night. I'm not going to miss the hockey game, that's for sure. Hopefully some Penguins fans will follow me up to Cleveland for our game.
Q: What do you expect the Classic atmosphere to be like?
A: I do think you'll see people with Terrible Towels in the stands. There will be something unmistakable about that. Get the word out for people to bring the Terrible Towels. Yeah, I think people outside the city will see something on TV that is unique in terms of the relationship between two franchises.
Q: Is it true your dad tried to sell Sidney Crosby on playing quarterback?................
Read more @ http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_715420.html