PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It typically one of the more energizing parts of the fan experience before a Steelers game, the team introductions. The anticipation of whether they will announce the offense or defense. The variations of response and inflection from Heinz Field PA announcer Larry Richert depending on the player.
Well, there is none of that this year and not just because of COVID and fan restrictions. The Steelers players want you to know they are a unified group.
“We come in as a unit,” said defensive back Cameron Sutton Monday. “We come in as a team.”
Typically it’s something that builds up as the players are introduced with fan favorites like Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Cam Heyward creating a crescendo of applause and whirlwind of gold Terrible Towels.
“It’s great to go through announcements and players,” Sutton said. “It’s always cool. It’s always amazing to run out of the tunnel individually. But we carry the fight each week as a team, as a unit.”
So while not having introductions is something the Steelers have never done at Heinz Field, so is a 9-0 start.
Maybe there is a correlation, if only in symbolism.