The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the field Wednesday for their first practice of training camp. Their annual camp takes place at Saint Vincent College, a campus filled with rich history. It is where the Steelers of the 1970s began their season preparations, creating a tradition that has carried into the modern era and deeply rooted the team with Western Pennsylvania, something their head coach understands well.
Before stepping onto the field, head coach Mike McCarthy addressed his team about the opportunity in front of them. The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo detailed on X what McCarthy shared with his players.
“Mike McCarthy said he talked to his players this morning about the identity of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the parallels to the city of Pittsburgh. That included the ‘steel industry, how it relates to the game of football,’” DeFabo wrote.
Everything started in Latrobe
The origins of Steelers dynasties, “One for the Thumb,” and the setting of an NFLSuper Bowl record all began in Latrobe. While some may view the location as outdated, Saint Vincent College represents what keeps the Steelers connected to Pittsburgh.
Not just Pittsburgh. Western Pennsylvania.
When the region experienced its industrial decline in the 1980s, many Pittsburgh families were forced to leave the area in search of new opportunities. They may have left the city, but the city never left them. That connection helped create the foundation of Steelers Nation as we know it today.
The foundation of that fandom, built during the Steelers’ dynasty years of the 1970s, started at Saint Vincent College on Chuck Noll Field. While times change and bring new challenges, the expectations of Steelers Nation remain the same.
From Pittsburgh to Los Angeles, Steelers fans bleed black and gold. They do not just want to win, they want Pittsburgh to win the Steelers way.
McCarthy continues to build his team the Steelers way
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McCarthy has already brought plenty of change to Pittsburgh. However, he understands what makes the Steelers organization so special to the city and its fans. As his predecessor often preached, there is a standard in Pittsburgh. That standard is winning championships, something the Steelers have not accomplished in 18 years. Now, McCarthy must challenge his team to rise to that expectation. It may only be his first season as head coach, but make no mistake: he wants a Super Bowl as badly as any yinzer.
You can bet that message was delivered to his team.
The journey begins in Latrobe, where McCarthy is molding his team around the roots of the Steel City and beginning another pursuit of a Super Bowl championship.
