They spun it around to say it is a football town with a working-class problem and the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland.
Who says so? Well, only the NFL who have awarded the Steelers rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
And so what does that mean?
Hello yellow: The home team
Well, as an active NFL marquee franchise, the Steelers can host exclusive events, such as fan and youth football activities throughout Ireland.
And the Global Markets Program licence also allows them to engage corporate sponsors, merchandise sales and marketing relationships.
Best of all is the news coming out of friend of Ireland and former US Ambassador to Dublin Daniel Rooney is what all gridiron fans want to hear.
Touchdown
Team work: It makes the dream work
“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Daniel, the team’s director of business development and strategy.
To date, Ireland has never hosted a regular-season NFL game.
But the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17 in a pre-season match-up at Dublin’s Croke Park in 1997.
And we’ve enjoyed the biennial college football at the Aviva.
MVP: Pittsburgh’s favourite son
Back to Croke Park and it holds 82,300 and would likely be the site of any future Steelers game.
Of course, the best way to get on board the Steelers is to get out there for yourself… and grab yourself your 15 minutes of fame.
Either down the Steelers stadium or maybe even take in the Andy Warhol Museum
All with Aer Lingus with a round trip from here in Edinburgh from £1,224.
In the family
Devotion: To the cause
During his time in Ireland, Rooney helped establish the Ireland Funds programme.
Founded to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.
Daniel also worked to further the knowledge gridiron throughout Ireland, efforts that included an annual flag football contest.
The Steelers have launched dedicated Irish social media accounts and are planning a fan watch party.
“My family has deep roots throughout Ireland and being able to connect with our fans across the Island is something special to our organisation,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.
Clearly, as a Rooney, and his grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., was the founding owner of the NFL franchise.
According to the Pew Research Center, Pittsburgh ranked first among large U.S. cities with 17 percent of its population claiming Irish ancestry.
Piling up the teams
Bridge of highs: Pittsburgh
A confession here, your favourite blogger favours Boston and New England in all things American sport.
But now Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland I might be persuaded.
Heck, who am I kidding? I adopt extra teams every time I tick off a new American city.
And so after my trip to San Antonio the Spurs are now on the roster.
Now I have two horses in the NBA final between Denver and Miami.
