Steelers’ Fans Super Day

By now you’ve probably chatted with a Steelers fan or two who is just oh-so-super-happy that Pittsburgh has won its (count it!) sixth Super Bowl.

Eh.

Yeah, I’m a little conflicted. On one hand, the Steelers are a good team, and they’re in Pennsylvania, and their fans are pretty good. On the other hand, it’s Pittsburgh! How can that city be so awesome in a sport? KYW 1060 even found a fan who, after the game, was talking about how he thought the Steelers would win big!

(Steelers fan): “That is insane! Wow! Unbelievable! I have no voice!”

(Kim Glovas): “Did you ever think it was going to end like this?”

(Steelers fan): “No, I thought Pittsburgh was going to blow them out so it’s been a great game, I have to say that.”

Ahh, whatever. The Steelers didn’t win a title from their founding until Super Bowl IX! It’s pretty amazing they’re now viewed as one of the best franchises of the modern era after their first 42 years didn’t produce a single title. We can let them have this thing. Congrats, Pittsburgh fans.

Photo by daveynin used under a Creative Commons license

Pa. Judges Just As Trashy As Other Pennsylvanians

If you’re ever going up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a lawsuit¹, please note you don’t really have a shot if the judge is current Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Paul P. Panepinto. Panepinto got a free Super Bowl ticket from the Steelers last year.

Okay, so Panepinto got his ticket from friends who were invited to the game by the Steelers and so his free ticket would hopefully not influence his decision. (But it certainly gives you grounds for appeal, if that’s how “grounds for appeal” works.) And, hey, this judge got offered a free Super Bowl ticket. I don’t think it’s hard to see a successful smear campaign against a judge who turned down a free ticket to the Super Bowl on the grounds he doesn’t have his priorities in order.

In Pennsylvania, unlike most states, judges can receive gifts up to $250 as long as they report them. This is a great practice because it allows journalists to write stories about wacky gifts lawmakers got, such as Judge Panepinto’s Super Bowl tickets.

And, uh, sometimes the gifts were just a little odd:

James DeLeon, a Philadelphia municipal judge seeking the Democratic nod for Superior Court, said he and his wife renewed their wedding vows during a “mock marriage” event at the Trump resort, an event he said is mainly designed for gamblers. DeLeon said he is not a gambler, but was referred to the resort by a friend.

Hey, just think: In just a short time DeLeon can renew his vows at a “mock marriage” right here in Philadelphia.

Gifts to judges — like free Steelers Super Bowl tickets — raise questions about Pa. rules [AP/PittsburghLive.com]

¹ I’m not quite sure how you would have been in a position to sue — or, I suppose, be sued by — the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I bet it involves Terry Bradshaw and Paxil.

[Photo via ePodunk]

Leftovers: King Of The CEOs

• I’ve never heard of the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, but now I want to go, just because of its intense CEO (left), Rafael Suarez. [Elmwood Park Zoo]

• Now that I have your attention, be sure to check out Liz Spikol’s Top 10 Mental Health Tips, which is so official it gets capital letters. Number 1 is exercise. [The Trouble With Spikol]

• Despite Big Ben’s injury, Gov. Ed Rendell stands by his signing of the helmet law repeal three years ago. [KYW 1060]

• Will Bunch sez the helmet law is a good idea, because head injuries cost taxpayer money. Now that’s a language anyone can understand! [Attytood]

• Speaking of that, this Joe Vento thing just won’t die. But you knew that. [Inky]

A parade for a championship sports team? No way!

In other news, Philadelphia is planning a parade for it’s 2-0 Arena League football team, the Philadelphia Soul.

Pittsburgh Plans Parade to Honor Steelers [AP via Yahoo!]

Judge Seamus, the bar has been set

The biggest surprise? It was a Seattle fan. Right? You think something like this would have come from PW’s own Steve Volk, who tries to convince us he’s living in Philadelphia to show us how happy we could all be one day if the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

Yeah. As if that’ll ever happen.

Buy the Numbers [PW]
Judge Leads Super Bowl Chant During Manslaughter Trial [AP via NBC 10]