It’s the Kielbasa Kid…

…and I know you’re the Steelers #1 Fan because I saw it on your license plate but if you layered up to be at 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception you are second to none in your love for the Black and Gold. Maybe if I was 20 years younger, I would have joined you too since there was no shortage of tickets with some going as cheap as free and unlike 50 years ago Saturday night’s game wasn’t blacked out because officially it was sold out like every Steelers game since Franco pulled that ball out of the air back in ’72. It was nice to see the end zone painted in the same colors and style as it was at 3 Rivers Stadium too. And while it wasn’t immaculate the game winning touchdown that held up to beat the Raiders just like 50 years ago went to a rookie too. Maybe one day the connection of Pickett to Pickens will become common place and legendary too. While the crowd dealt with temperatures in the single digits it was heartwarming to see Franco’s number 32 retired at halftime but when the stadium announcer asked to please turn your attention to the video board as we honor Franco Harris the NFL network turned its attention to a commercial. Yeah, I know I should have been at the game but to cut away in the middle of a ceremony to honor a man whose one play was named the greatest in NFL history to make a buck could have been handled better. Also, heartwarming was to hear Kenny Picket yell out Franco, Franco at the line of scrimmage before a quarterback sneak. Maybe it should become a habit. So, to the chagrin of those, and you know who you are, that would like the Steelers to tank for a better draft pick and put an end to coach Tomlin never having a losing season will have to wait another week for something that may not come to pass. Since the bye week the Steelers are 5 and 2 and still in the playoff hunt with 2 more games to play and it appears TV has taken notice and moved this Sundays, New Year’s Day game between the Steelers and Ravens in Baltimore from a 1 to an 8:20 kickoff. Hey, ‘tis the season.