Excitement was at a fever pitch when over 400 female fans descended upon Heinz Field for the annual Steelers Ladies Night Out.
The ladies sported jerseys from rookie Maurkice Pouncey, to veterans Hines Ward and Brett Keisel, to former Steelers Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert.
There were Steelers jeans, belts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, purses…and much more. If it was black and gold, the ladies were wearing it.
During dinner the ladies got to know each other, sharing stories of how they became fans, what game day is like in their house, and much more.
"This was great," said Jody Zewe, who flew in from Erie, Colorado in the early morning hours for her first visit to Heinz Field. "To find out there are so many women that truly love and follow the Steelers because that is what they love to do is great."
The highlight of the night was hearing from both Keisel and Pouncey, who shared some insight into what football season is like for them.
"It was fun," said Keisel. "It's no secret we have the best fans in the world, and the best lady fans. I just wanted to show them that we appreciate them. The fans are interested in knowing what your life is like, the daily routine of what it is like being a National Football League player. To give them a little piece of that is something I think they enjoyed."
Keisel and Pouncey took questions, some of them strictly about football, but others trying to get to know the personal side of the players.
"They wanted to know if I could dance or not, and I can't," said Pouncey. "It was great. I loved it. It's crazy to go in there and have everyone screaming your name. They know a lot about Steelers football. It's great to know they are out there supporting us."
Once the players finished talking it was off to a tour of Heinz Field and to be a part of the audience for the Steelers Huddle show taping, with Antwaan Randle El as the host with guests Will Gay and Larry Foote.
The tour brought the ladies to the press box, the field where they had the chance to kick a field goal and the locker room, where they quickly got pictures in front of their favorite player's lockers.
"To go into the locker room where the players that you watch every Sunday and you idolize and talk about and you walk into the locker room where they get ready and get prepped, this is the place to be," said Zewe.
While it was about football and fun for most, the evening took on another aspect for one fan – healing.
Anne-Marie Lynch from Charlotte, North Carolina used the event to get a break from the physical challenge she has been going though while battling cancer.
"My friends wanted me to come here, kick back and take my mind off things," said Lynch. "I took pictures of everything, stairways, escalators, and the press box sign, just everything. I have never seen a stadium this beautiful. I am so excited to be with all of these women who support the Steelers. It's amazing. I had a blast."
For Lynch, watching the Steelers has been the perfect escape, something that brings her family together during a tough time.
"We look forward to it," said Lynch. "It gives us something to do over the weekend. It brings our family together, gets our mind off everything else going on with treatment and surgery. It lets us sit back and be a normal football loving family. The Steelers do that for us."
