The Steelers have a tradition of having a large fanbase, which has spread from Pittsburgh. In August 2008, ESPN.com ranked the Steelers' fans as the best in the NFL, citing their "unbelievable" sellout streak of 299 consecutive games.Chris Bosh jersey
The team gained a large fan base nationally based on its success in the 1970s, but many consider the collapse of the city's steel industry at the end of the '70s dynasty into the 1980s (and the resulting diaspora) to be a large catalyst for the size of the fan base in other cities.[citation needed] The Steelers have sold out every home game since the 1972 season.nellie fox jersey
A staple of Steelers fandom, the Terrible Towel, and has been described by the Associated Press as "arguably the best-known fan symbol of any major pro sports team".[30] Invented by broadcaster Myron Cope in 1975 ,Super Bowl patch the towel's rights have since been given to the Allegheny Valley School in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, which cares for over 900 people with mental retardation and physical disabilities, including Cope's autistic son.Blackhawks jerseys
Since 1996, proceeds from the Terrible Towel have helped raise more than $2.5 million for the school.[31]