Own the Moment

By Bill Lauris
September 6, 2009


Pittsburgh, PA — On Thursday, the NFL 2009 season officially kicks off at 8:30 ET at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. Believe it or not, the NFL will be celebrating its 90th season. The celebrating will include performances by some well know entertainers and of course, all of this will be played before a national audience on NBC TV. 

For the record, it should be a great show. The theme this year is “Own The Moment” . Before the game, the NFL is hosting a free concert in Pittsburgh’s Point State Park. On stage will be Tim McGraw as well as The Black Eyed Peas, both three-time Grammy Award winning artists.

The contest figures to be a good one as both the visiting Tennessee Titans and host Pittsburgh Steelers play an equally excellent brand of defense. Though, it should be noted that some Titans players will have to own up to a moment that occurred at the tail end of the game when these two teams met last in week 16 of December, 2008.

This year’s clash is the first time the Steelers and Titans will meet since that fateful date. On that day, Tennessee handed Pittsburgh a 33-14 thrashing. And if that’s all that happen on that day this would not be such a big rematch. But something else happened that will be a big part of this game.

At the time, the win gave the Titans a 13-2 record, the best, in the league. This had many fans and the media considering the Titans as --the team-- to beat in the 2009 Super Bowl. Surprisingly,  it was the last game the Titans would win in 2008. Many, rightfully so, wondered what happened to the talented Titans? Well, in week 17 the Titans opted to rest their regulars and were drubbed by the Indianapolis Colts. No big deal The Titans still held the best record in the NFL heading into the playoffs. However, in the Divisional Playoff round, the Titans were turned away 13-10 by the Baltimore Ravens.

So, now it’s a new year, a new season full of hope and perhaps a trip to the big game in the forecast for both of these teams. Nevertheless, opening the season on the road, against the defending Super Bowl champions is not exactly the easiest way to kickoff a season. This is true, especially when that team is at home and seeking to avenge their last defeat. Even so, the Titans feel ready.

"It's not only kickoff weekend, it's the kickoff to kickoff weekend,'' Titan’s Vincent Fuller said. "We're excited. We're going in to play the defending Super Bowl champs, and they know we're gunning for them.''

Jeff Fisher, head coach for the Titans, echoed the sentiment.

“Overall after five preseason games and everything we accomplished, I think we'll be ready for the opener.''

Okay, so the Titans feel like they’re prepared for the opening day of season number 90 of the NFL. Likely fans all across the USA are looking forward to the new season.

Yet some may still be wondering just what had happened to the Titans? Everything looked so promising for them in mid December of 2008. Why did they suddenly fall apart like a cheap suit? Especially after handing Pittsburgh such a decisive loss.

Here is what happened.

After last season’s win over the Steelers, three Titans did something they may come to truly regret. Last December, with the game’s final seconds ticking away and the Titans being certain victors over the visiting Steelers, some Titan players celebrated their victory by disrespecting the Terrible Towel, the well known Steeler fan-based symbol. LenDale White trampled on one, as did linebacker Keith Bullock. Defensive end Jevon Kearse used it to wipe his nose.

At the time they obviously hadn’t a clue what they were doing. To them, it was a lighthearted attempt to stroke the sweet victory in front of the national camera, and the 10,000 or so visiting Steeler fans in attendance at LP Field, also known to the locals in Nashville as “The Woodshed”.

It has become a common to see Steeler fans having traveled to the opponents home field in the tens-of-thousands, most waving the gold Terrible Towel. It has served as the Steelers banner since just before the playoffs in 1975.

It’s not just a banner for the Steeler Nation. According to the late Myron Cope, it holds special magical powers. Power to aid the Steelers to do magical things on field. Cope was the inventor or, father, if you will, of the Terrible Towel.

It has grown from its humble beginnings, 34 years ago, when it was intended to be used as a secret weapon that though its magical powers will place a hex on the Steelers opponent.

Cope’s main intention for the towel was to use the item as a fund raiser for a Pittsburgh based agency that tends to the needs of developmentally disabled individuals. You see, Allegheny Valley School, the Agency that benefits from the profits is home to Cope’s autistic son, Daniel. The profits are funneled directly to the agency, and sales of the “Official Terrible Towel” have raised over $3 million. What’s more, it’s arguably the most recognized fan symbol of any sports team. 

History has shown that disrespectful handling of the Terrible Towel, by Steeler opponents has proved to be a boneheaded move. Ask T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Cincinnati Bengals what happens to a team whose players think it’s cool to desecrate the Terrible Towel.  Houshmandzadeh performed his funny act in late 2005. He took one of the towels and shined his shoes with it.

Since then the Bengals have not had a single winning season. Meanwhile, the Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl that season. For the record the Bengals, like the Titans were poised to be the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl that season. That should have served as a warning to those who might be tempted into doing such a silly thing.

Last season it happened twice. The second time was when Phil Gordon, the Mayor of Phoenix, thought he was just having some light hearted fun when he used the towel to wipe himself. He and the Cardinals could not have known that their fate had been sealed. He would soon regret his actions. Being a true politician he went on a campaign assuring everyone that No Disrespect Meant In 'Terrible Towel' Incident.

The people of Pittsburgh may have absolved him of his indiscretion but the Towel sure didn‘t. As everyone knows the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 43. Most NFL experts are saying that both the Cardinals and the Titans will be hard pressed to repeat their accomplishments of last season. Could the Towel have anything to do with this? It remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure… when the Titans enter Heinz Field this Thursday, the expected crowd of about 65,000 fans, will be poised with their Terrible Towels. The Titans will have to “Own The Moment” when White, Bullock and Kearse dissed the Terrible Towel. Expect Heinz Field to be electric. Both the towel waving fans and the Steelers will be looking forward to this rematch.

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