LifeNRA Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Steelers fans ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals country The Associated Press Karen Crawford is one Cleveland Browns fan in Ohio who doesn't mind that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Super Bowl. Sales of Steelers jerseys, hats and shirts are booming at her sporting goods store in Findlay — hometown of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But it's not just the Big Ben items that are popular. "It's Steelers stuff, too. That's what's so weird," Crawford said. "If you're at all a Browns fan, it's tough to root for the Steelers." Sales at sports stores all over the state are booming because of the Steelers — hated rival of both the Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Hotels in the Toledo area are expecting to see an increase in business too from fans who plan to watch the Steelers play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit, about an hour's drive north. Plenty of black and gold "got ben?" T-shirts and Terrible Towels were for sale this week at the Tower City mall in downtown Cleveland. "For every 10 Steelers items we're selling, we're selling one Browns item," said Scott Jefferson, who runs a kiosk in the mall. One store owner in the mall who was keeping his shelves free of Pittsburgh merchandise said he might have to make an exception this week. "I need heat," said Jeff Wade, adding that he wouldn't feel good about selling Steelers stuff. "I don't think any Browns fan is happy seeing that crap." Even in Cincinnati, some stores don't have enough Steelers gear. That might come as a surprise given that the Steelers road to the Super Bowl began with a 31-17 playoff victory over the Bengals. "I didn't have a lot of the jerseys to begin with, but I probably had a dozen last week. I only have about four left," said Chris Koch, owner of Koch Sporting Goods in Cincinnati. "I tried to order more shirts, but the manufacturer is all sold out," he said. Restaurants and retail shops in Findlay hope that plenty of Steelers fans stop for a visit in Big Ben's hometown on their way from Pittsburgh to Detroit — even if it means an hour or two drive out of their way. The local visitors bureau has taken out ads on Steelers fan websites. Employees have given directions to fans who want to see his high school stadium and a downtown billboard picturing Roethlisberger in his old Findlay uniform. But they're not giving out directions to the house where he grew up and his parents still live, trying to prevent too many onlookers. "That's what we're afraid of," said Alissa Simpson, spokeswoman for visitors bureau. And they're not mentioning that most folks around town are Browns fans. "We're trying to keep that under wraps," Simpson said with a laugh. "It's just insane to see everyone one in a Ben jersey or a Steelers shirt." Crawford, who runs the House of Awards & Sports sporting goods store downtown, said sales of Steelers merchandise are coming during what is usually one of the store's slowest months. "People are finding that extra cash," she said. "You never know when it's going to come this close to home again." Thought muggs would like this! He is there now buying a jacket for next year!!! LMBO!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga This is not news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga Fair weather fans is all, they'll be buying next year's Super Bowl favorite's jersey and hats too...nothing new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga If you are going to the game it is not worth the trip to come to Findlay... there is nothing there worth seeing... Big Ben is the only thing to ever happen to Findlay, OH that I can think of... I think I may go to Findlay Frickers to watch the game and eat some good hot wings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga [ QUOTE ] I think I may go to Findlay Frickers to watch the game and eat some good hot wings... [/ QUOTE ] Been there. Gooooooooooood wings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest psejake16 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga All the flip floppers are raiding the sports stores here too. The shelfs that usually have Colts and Bengals stuff now have mostly black and gold. The good news is all the Colts stuff in on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga [ QUOTE ] The good news is all the Colts stuff in on sale. [/ QUOTE ] I'm surprised they aren't trying to give it away...wait...nobody wants a Colts jersey! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted February 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] The good news is all the Colts stuff in on sale. [/ QUOTE ] I'm surprised they aren't trying to give it away...wait...nobody wants a Colts jersey! LOL [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master_Chief Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Benga Being a Browns fan I understand. I for one will root for the Steelers. It is an AFC thing I guess. But don't expect all my Browns stuff to head for the donation pile. It will be there next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDNKHNTR77 Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals youll never see me in one of those stores buyin steelers apparel. GO SEAHAWKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest magnatechunter Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals ok ,lets all jump on the band wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest psejake16 Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals [ QUOTE ] ok ,lets all jump on the band wagon. [/ QUOTE ] amen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VtBowhunter Posted February 4, 2006 Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals This is when I hate this time of year. I was born in 1975 (the year the Steelers won their first SuperBowl), and when I was 10 I started following them, and I've been a diehard fan ever since, but because I live in Vermont, everyone accuses me of being a Bandwagon Fan........I hate ignorance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted February 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals VT, dont worry about it! I been a Steeler fan since I was seven years old! I am 42 now, 35 years! People crack me up about this game. Its just a game, plain and simple. Guys like the colt fans in here kill me with their logic and bitterness! Its great that they have team loyality. But some get carried away with there bitterness. I just think its funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest psejake16 Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals [ QUOTE ] This is when I hate this time of year. I was born in 1975 (the year the Steelers won their first SuperBowl), and when I was 10 I started following them, and I've been a diehard fan ever since, but because I live in Vermont, everyone accuses me of being a Bandwagon Fan........I hate ignorance. [/ QUOTE ] I just like getting you guys fired up, thats all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Re: Steelers ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals You can call me a bandwagon fan...don't really care. I like the Steelers (only football team I root for). However, football is only on at my house when Nascar isn't! Bandwagon or not...I still don't see any Indiana or Ohio football teams in the superbowl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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