What did they do to Steely McBeam? That was Andrew Fillipponi’s reaction when he saw the newest version of the Steelers mascot.
Gone is the Bill Cowher-like jaw, bushy eye browns and gruff smile, replaced with bright blue eyes, a smaller haircut and trimmed-styled beard.
Steeler fans had different reactions to the new and improved Steely:
But the woman that came up with the name "Steely McBeam" is a fan of the new version and has some good evidence that supports her love of the new "McBeam."
Diane Roles came up with the name and broke it down staying “Steely” comes from Pittsburgh being a steel town, “Mc” for the Rooney’s Irish heritage and “Beam” because of a steel beam and her husband drank Jim Beam.
Roles says she thinks that the new mascot kind of looks like current Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Roles adds that she believes the new mascot has been softened to be more appealing to children.
“I think he’s more appealing to all the children because that’s why he was put in there, to go to the different hospitals and the special events that the Steelers have,” said Roles.
Her takes were so good, she swayed Poni and Mueller’s initial negative opinion on “Steely.”
Roles says her husband passed away a few years ago, but her son Brian is keeping the drinking of Jim Beam in the family alive.