Another one for Steelers bites the dust.

With a lot of Steelers talk lately focused on Hines Ward and his potential departure from Pittsburgh, it got me thinking. Well to be honest it got me fired up that they would let him go, when he is obviously so wanting to stay. Dude is a class act.  And then I was reminded what happened eleven years ago today. Another Pittsburgh icon took a final bow. Remember?

Three Rivers Stadium, a constant in the Pittsburgh skyline for three decades, was demolished. Re-live it HERE.

For me there were a lot of memories in that place. Seeing it disappear was tough, I couldn’t imagine going across the Fort Pitt Bridge and it not being there. That day marked an end of an era. I was shocked when I heard people were cheering when the dynamite blew. It just didn’t seem…. right. But now I see they were celebrating. Celebrating all the moments that happened in that place. The Immaculate Reception, Clemente’s 3000th hit, all the AFC Championships, the 2 World Series titles. And maybe they knew it was time. Time to move forward with a new home.

Don’t believe for one second I don’t want Ward to put on the black and gold for another year. I’d love nothing more. I don’t know what the outcome is going to be for Ward, none of us do, but if he walks away, it’s going to leave a stadium sized hole in our Steeler family. And maybe, just maybe we better get ready for the BOOM, cause you know damn well there better be a whole slew of Zambelli fireworks if we have to say goodbye to Ward.