Heinz Field was a sea of black and gold on Sunday when the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 26-9, and that color scheme was in full effect on Monday evening as well.
The Steelers hosted the annual Ladies Night Out, presented by Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, and an enthusiastic group was on hand, sharing their love of all things Steelers.
And you better believe, they were decked out literally head to toe in Steelers gear. The sold out crowd represented in their jerseys, shirts, jackets, hats, socks and shoes, including some items just purchased from the team's Sideline Store at Heinz Field.
"I came to the game on Sunday, and it was amazing," said Priscilla Hillmann, who came from Litchfield, Minnesota the game and the event. "It was my first regular season game. I got Ben Roethlisberger's towel, Joe Haden's gloves and I got to meet Santonio Holmes after the game. I had called the Steelers to ask them if there were any events around the time I was going to be here, and they told me about the Ladies Night, so I decided to come.
"There are no words for this. It's amazing. In Minnesota it's all Vikings stuff. I have to contain myself and not buy everything I see because I don't ever see all of it. And everyone here is wonderful. You can't find nicer people. It's amazing how everyone treats you, they are so proud of their city. And tonight, it's so exciting."
>>> SHOP:**The Steelers Pro Shop** Ryan Shazier and Roosevelt Nix were the special guests, sharing some insight as to what their week is like with the ladies, and just enjoying being around such passionate fans.
"It is an incredible fan base we have," said Ryan Shazier. "How big our fan base is in general is amazing, but to know how many of them are women is impressive. It's incredible to see them out here.
"When you talk to the women, sometimes they know more than the men do about football. You know they are involved and know what they are talking about. They pay attention to what is going on.
"It was fun to let them know how much preparation we put into everything and just being out here having a good time."
The ladies also had a chance to ask the questions, and it came as no surprise to either how knowledgeable some of them were.
"One time I was in a store and a lady came up to me and she knew about everybody," said Nix. "I have never experienced anything like it, so many women who love football and are completely in tune to it. It's an amazing thing.
"Whether it's men, women, or kids, the genuine fans are what make Steelers Nation the best."
After hearing the two current players speak, the ladies headed to the field to go through drills conducted by Steelers alumni Charlie Batch, Jason Gildon and Shaun Suisham, as well as tour the locker room and make a stop on the field for photos and more.
Jill Teramana and Sarah Gentile came together from Ohio for the first time, following the advice of friends who had been at the event before.
"We are huge fans," said Gentile, a Steelers season ticket holder. "I love it. Anything Steelers, I am in. And the fun part is being with ladies from all over who like the Steelers, but aren't necessarily from the same place as us. It's exciting."
