Sports

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon Wipes Nose With Steelers Terrible Towel

by Jon Azpiri | January 29, 2009 at 11:47 am

852 views | 1 Recommendation | 4 comments

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon wiped his nose with a Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel during a pep rally earlier this week. Moments before, the Cardinals mascot wiped his underarms with the yellow towel, which has become a symbol of the Steelers organization. Fans in the crowd chanted "Burn It!" in reference to the Terrible towels.

You can see the Phil Gordon Terrible Towel video here.

Such antics aren't likely to go over well in Steeler Nation. Earlier this season, the Tennessee Titans were accused of disrespecting the team after LenDale White and Keith Bulluck were seen stomping on Terrible Towels during the Titans regular season win over the Steelers. Defensive end Jevon Kearse wiped his nose with a Terrible Towel in front of TV cameras.

Even though the Steelers are in the Super Bowl and the Titans were knocked out to the post-season early, some Pittsburgh players aren't over it.

"The Steeler gods are always with us, so you never know,'' cornerback Deshea Townsend said with a smile. "What I do know is what (the Titans) did that day was almost like taking a jersey and putting it on the ground after a win and stepping on it. You just don't do that. There is a proper way to play the game and a way that you act, and this team does not act like that. It's disrespectful.''

Said defensive tackle Casey Hampton: "When you are not used to winning, then you do stuff like that. We are kind of used to winning, so we win with class.''

Realizing that he may have angered the city of Pittsburgh, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon downplayed his actions at the pep rally.

"At no time did anyone intend, in any way, to offense the Steelers organization and their many fans, supporters and traditions.

The Terrible Towel has been around for more than three decades. The towels were created for a radio promotion during the Steelers 1975 playoff run. Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope promoted the towels on radio and television and they became an instant hit. Over the years, the towel has become a symbol of the Steelers organization and its huge fan base.

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AmyJeanius

at 18:19 on January 29th, 2009

A little Cardinal snot and sweat won't stop our Terrible Towel...the Steelers will have their revenge on Sunday...Super Bowl victory, here we come!

AmyJeanius has contributed a photo to this story.

back2pgh

at 06:35 on January 30th, 2009

Wiping his nose?! Blasphemy! No, actually as a die hard Steelers fan, I think it's all in good fun and part of the trash talking. And, no matter how much they trash talk, they aren't going to win! Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!