Whether it's at Heinz Field or a Steelers away game, at home or at a Steelers bar, Steelers Nation Unite recognizes fans as official members of Steelers Nation and rewards them with exclusive prizes and experiences.
This past season, Steelers Nation Unite members across the country discovered firsthand how they can benefit from SNU. Whether it was through calls to action on game days and on social media, or earning badges for a variety of different actions, members were surprised with different rewards throughout the Steelers 2014 campaign.
These 'Surprise and Delights' included a variety of on-field experiences, in-seat deliveries, Steelers merchandise and autographed memorabilia. Here are five of the top 'Surprise and Delight' rewards provided by Steelers Nation Unite during the 2014 season.
Joe Greene Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Prior to kickoff of the Steelers and Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week 9, a ceremony was held to officially retire Joe Greene's number 75. The team unveiled a display in the FedEx Great Hall with the jerseys of Greene and Ernie Stautner, the only two players in Steelers history to have their jersey number retired.
Closed to the public, Steelers Nation Unite provided five members and their guests with exclusive access, allowing them to enter Heinz Field prior to gates opening and watch the ceremony live in person. Following the ceremony, the group was also treated to a photo opportunity with the Hall of Famer in front of the newly unveiled display.
Autographed Joe Greene Jersey
The Steelers Nation Unite experience does not solely exist at Heinz Field on game day. Rather, Steelers Nation Unite recognizes and rewards fans from wherever they watch or follow the team throughout the season.
Through the Weekly Huddle call to action, member Steve Lloyd shared his thoughts on social media about what 'Mean' Joe meant to the Steelers and Steelers Nation. On Monday, November 3, Lloyd received a surprise phone call informing him that he would be receiving a signed Joe Greene jersey from the previous night's ceremony to reward him for interacting with Steelers Nation Unite.
Special Delivery from Rocky Bleier
What's better than receiving an autographed jersey at your first Steelers game? How about having four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier hand deliver and sign the jersey for you at your seat while all of Heinz Field watches?
That was exactly what happened for SNU member Craig Wilbur at the team's Week 13 matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Early in the third quarter, Bleier arrived at Wilbur's seat, jersey in hand, to present Wilbur with this special piece of Steelers memorabilia and an experience from his first Steelers game that will surely last a long time.
Signed Authentic Footballs
At the Steelers regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team recognized all of Steelers Nation with a 'Thank You Fans' game. There were a number of events surrounding the game, including prizes, giveaways and recognition in special on-field events.
As part of the 'Thank You Fans' game and recognition, a group of Steelers Nation Unite members were surprised with autographed footballs delivered to their homes. For sharing their Steelers memorabilia collections on social media as part of the Weekly Huddle call to action, 49 members were randomly selected to receive a football signed by a current Steelers player. Needless to say, these fans were excited when these packages showed up at their door.
Thank you so much to @SteelersUnite and @tpolamalu for this! Could not be more excited about anything #SteelerNation pic.twitter.com/O4eZxKaqXL — Ryan (@ryankaiser25) January 5, 2015
Thank you @SteelersUnite and @LBell26 for the signed ball and taking care of their fans like no one else. @steelers pic.twitter.com/oQ9Cp9IP84 — Jared Glowaski (@JaredGlowaski) January 5, 2015
#AreYouKiddingMe WOW!!! Thank You @SteelersUnite @steelers @jharrison9292 . Not enuff hastags to express. #THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/lxmsIS9BKq
— Michael Coates (@Coates_Burghfan) January 5, 2015 > >
AFC Wild Card Game VIP Experience
Steelers Nation Unite members were rewarded with prizes and exclusive experiences at the Steelers AFC Wild Card Game.
As evidenced by previous rewards, there are times when members have no idea that an exclusive opportunity or prize is coming their way. This was the case for five SNU members who received a phone call from Steelers Nation Unite on New Year's Day, notifying them that they had been selected for a special experience at the AFC Wild Card Game.
Danielle Alexander, Michael Chance, Natalie Craig, David Grabowski and Bill Wildman received two free tickets and a VIP experience to the Steelers AFC Wild Card Game on January 3. Included with that experience was dinner in the VIP tent, pregame field access and the opportunity to lead the Terrible Towel Twirl with 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Jerome Bettis just before kickoff.
These experiences and rewards were not the only ways fans benefited in the inaugural season of SNU, as there were countless other experiences and benefits that recognized and rewarded members for their passion and dedication.
Be sure to sign up today as the offseason will be bringing members many new opportunities to score exclusive rewards and new ways to fuel their Steelers fandom all year round.
To join Steelers Nation Unite and be officially recognized as a member of Steelers Nation, visit http://steelersnationunite.com/ or the 'Steelers Nation Unite' page on the Steelers mobile app. Joining is free, quick and easy and only requires an email address and a password to sign up.
