About 15 years ago, I went to Pittsburgh with my then-girlfriend, now wife. My sister was running in the Pittsburgh Marathon, so we stayed on the North Side so we could cheer in the morning and not have to worry about finding parking.

We’re walking around and there is a massive “You’re in Steelers Country” sign strung across Federal St. If you’ve ever been in Pittsburgh, you’ve see one. If not, here:

https://shop.steelers.com/pittsburgh-steelers-youre-in-country-banner-black

My wife says, “That’s weird. It’s May, why is there a sign up for the football team?”

“Huh? Why wouldn’t there be a Steelers sign up?”

“It’s spring. Football season ended months ago. Aren’t we next to the baseball stadium? Doesn’t Pittsburgh have a baseball team?”

“Yeah, but they’re not very good. Haven’t been for a long time.”

“OK, but Pittsburgh has a hockey team. They’re in the playoffs. Probably the best player in the NHL plays for the Penguins. Why is there a Steelers sign up and not a Welcome to Penguins Country sign?” (Side note - she’s from Vermont on the Canadian border and a huge hockey fan)

“Yeah, the Penguins are popular, but not like the Steelers. They get excited around here for the Penguins, but it’s not like people travel in from all over for games no matter what. Like my friend X in Charlotte, he has Steelers season tickets. Never misses a game.”

“Wait. He travels to Pittsburgh eight weekends a year for Steelers games. Even in the winter when it snows in the mountains? Doesn’t he have kids?”

“Yeah, but he’s a big Steelers fan.”

“Man, this is a weird place. Steelers fans are pretty weird.”

No matter where we’ve gone since, she always says she’s never seen anything anywhere like Pittsburgh and the devotion to the Steelers.

That’s why you become a Steelers fan.

Oh, and one more thing. If you go to Mexico, you’ll also learn - Los Acereros son el equipo de Norteamérica.