In light of today’s news that Steelers owner Dan Rooney will be the next US Ambassador to Ireland, it’s only appropriate to ask the most pressing question in Steeler Nation (or at least the little corner of Steeler Nation that works at Mother Jones): when are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won Super Bowl 43 on February 1, getting their customary visit to the White House? Rooney and head coach Mike Tomlin are both huge Obama fans, and before the Super Bowl various Steelers players cited a visit to Barack Obama’s White House as extra motivation. Obama himself professes to have been a Steelers fan growing up in Hawaii, and admitted before the Super Bowl that he was rooting for the Steelers over the Cardinals.
Yet six weeks have passed since the Steelers won their NFL-leading sixth ring and no mention of a visit. I called the White House press office this morning to ask for an explanation and received a beleaguered “I don’t know” that had strong hints of “please stop bothering us.” I understand the White House is busy, put c’mon folks. We’re going to have a March Madness champion soon, and NHL and NBA winners after that. You can’t let these things pile up.
Photo by flickr user Pixteca MX used under a Creative Commons license.
