THE STEELERS’ CONNOR HEYWARD CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FIRST HALF. THE STEELERS DEFEATED THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, 28-15, ON DEC. 15, 2025. (PHOTO BY BRIAN COOK SR.)
:10—Be reminded that I am “Old School Steeler Fan.” Understand this is not a plea, that’s not how we rolled. This is a statement…Santa, Let’s Go Mannn!
:09—I’ll give you this because some of you young’uns need it. Yes, it’s been forever and a day since we’ve had one, let alone won a playoff game. And to be sure it’s been a series of reasons. Bad coaching, bad coaches, no franchise quarterback after Ben left, injuries…wait, hold on a minute. I am not making a good case for myself, am I? Well, you got my point. It has been a variety of things, not just what I am about to point out in No. 8.
:08—It should be noted that I beat this drum a long time ago…Mike Tomlin will be a first-round Hall of Fame coach and is still statistically one of the best coaches in the NFL! However, you know the beat that goes, “Fire Tomlin, Fire Tomlin, Fire Tomlin!” Granted that chant echoed several weeks ago was an all-time low. And yes, that loss to the Buffalo Bills was just ugly and nasty, even Coach Tomlin agreed. But put this in your Christmas stocking and understand, no matter what star you wish on, the Rooneys are not going to fire Tomlin. #1. Because they don’t fire their head coach; #2. The Rooney Rule…Duh? #3. They sure ain’t going to pay anybody including old Saint Nick $16 million to not coach.
:07—Then there’s this, contrary to popular belief, there is value to never having a losing season in 19 years. Think not? Ask the owners of the Jets, Giants, Panthers, Cardinals and Titans if they would take that gift under their Christmas tree.
:06—So here’s a few more logs to throw on your holiday fireplace. Yes, it hurt a bit to let George Pickens go, but sometimes the bigger the headache, the bigger the pill! (Quote the legendary literary genius George “Dr. Funkenstein” Clinton.) You may not get this, but this is truly some of my best stuff, ha, ha, ha.
:05—Granted it was predicted…prematurely…that this would be one of the greatest defenses of all-time, as well as the highest paid. But to their defense (there it is again, did you get it? Man, I’m just on fire tonight.), injuries have not only defeated that possibility all season, but the continuous loss of players week in and week out never allowed the defensive squad to show their true force at one time (I know that’s a little deep. I am just trying to help ya feel better!)
:04—Biggest mistake made on the year, bar none, and they’ll never admit it. Trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick.
:03—Now if somebody’s head has to roll, let it be the knucklehead who, for whatever reason, thought it would be a good idea to dismiss Pat Freiermuth and his 2024 NFL ranked top ten reception status as a tight end and relegate him to Siberia. And then continually not throw the ball to the biggest man in the stadium on 4th and 1 or in the red zone. That man being Darnell “Mt. Washington” – 6’8 and 320 pounds. C’mon man!
:02—All that being said, and as stated, I am a diehard Steeler fan and I go down with the ship. You may not believe me, but I predicted the Steelers would win big over the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, Dec. 15. And they did, 28-15. I thought they would win, 24-10.
:01—Be reminded, Achieving Greatness Inc., Toys For Champions Toy Giveaway this Saturday, Dec. 20, noon to 4 p.m. or until toys are gone at the McDonald’s East Liberty Station. The rules are, children must be present, no exceptions. Two toys per child ages 5 to 12, no advance registration or ID required.
:00—MERRY CHRISTMAS – GAME OVER.