Mascot Madness

Today is the day Steeler Nation has been on pins and needles waiting to hear. OK, maybe not pins and needles. Perhaps whoopie cushions would be more appropriate.

The Steelers – around 5pm today – will announce the name of their mascot. It’s a contest that has been going on the better part of the summer and the announcement has been cancelled at least once. I’m guessing because they have so many good choices – but I hoping it’s because they are doing some foam surgery on the Steeler symbol.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks this thing looks like Bill Cowher. Obviously, the Steeler front office missed the likeness when they chose to unveil this mascot. I’m mean, it’s creepy how much this thing looks like the former coach – and goodness knows new coach Mike Tomlin must have been wondering whether he landed in the right place when this thing took the stage.

Still, I think the mascot will stay the way it is – and I have to give the Steelers brass credit for branching out past their often stodgy history and going with a mascot. What’s next – cheerleaders? Probably not, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility after this latest move.

Speaking of mascot, what are we going to call this steelworker? Given his resemblance to Cowher, why not call him “the jaw”? I don’t know about you, but I’m giddy with anticipation to see if the name can be as much as a faux pas as the image the mascot projects. We’ll find out tonight at five.