Heat doesn't beat Steelers fans at 1st day of camp

Kenny Mullin arrived at Saint Vincent College in Unity before 6 a.m. Thursday.

He wanted to be one of the first fans to arrive at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, and he met his goal.

“This is pretty much what I love to do,” said Mullin, who was first in line to park, even though the gates would not open for another six hours. “It’s a waiting game.”

Mullin was among hundreds of eager fans who flocked to the college to get a glimpse of how the Steelers will play this upcoming season.

The early morning gathering has become a tradition for Mullin, who has made the 40-minute drive from his North Versailles home for 10 years.

Clad in black-and-gold attire with beach chairs and umbrellas in hand, fans flooded onto the grass around the field hoping to get an up-close look at their favorite players — or even snag an autograph.

Jason Strack, 16, of Indiana has been coming to training camp every year since he was 7. He said he has multiple autographs from players hanging throughout his room.

A football player himself, Strack said he enjoys interacting with the players. He has even been able to play rock, paper, scissors with them.

“They aren’t just dudes that play football,” he said.

Strack waited by the fence near the field hoping to get an autograph from rookie quarterback Will Howard or receiver DK Metcalf but was unsuccessful.

Under sunny skies, the 85-degree weather did not seem to bother the fans — especially Megan Strayer of Altoona.

“We would come here if it’s 100 degrees or snow,” she said.

Between the players taking the time to sign autographs and fans coming together in their Steelers gear, it is the atmosphere that brings her and her family out to training camp each year.

“It’s a good sense of community all together,” Strayer said.

Cary Feltman of White Oak came to training camp Thursday like he did with his father for the first time in 1997, when Bill Cowher was coach and Kordell Stewart was the quarterback of a team that went to the AFC Championship game.

Years later, Feltman would get Stewart to sign his left forearm with a marker, as well as former Steelers star linebacker Joey Porter, father of Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Feltman got a tattoo artist to make the autographs permanent.

A longtime fan, Feltman convinced his wife, Nicole, to uproot and make a 200-mile move from Snyder County to the Pittsburgh area.

“I moved here five years ago to be closer to the team,” Feltman said.

For Eric Harden, the five-hour drive from Dayton, Ohio, is worth it to see the Steelers play in person. This was the first time he has made it out to training camp.

“I am nervous,” he said. “I feel like I’m a little kid.”

Rodgers debate

No gathering of Steelers fans could be complete without a discussion over newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Lennon Callan of North Versailles said he was not excited at the prospect of Rodgers leading the team, but his father, Chris Callan, held the opposite view.

“I’m excited for what he can do. I think he’s better than what we’ve had the last few years,” Chris Callan said.

Fan Sarah Conley of York County has faith in Rodgers’ skills.

“He’s going to take us to the Super Bowl,” she said.

Liz Brown of Indiana County has been coming to training camp for the past five years. She got into the sport so she could bond with her children but now is a big fan who throws a party every “Steelers Sunday.”

Brown said her support for the team will not waiver despite her dislike for the new quarterback.

“I will always be supportive of the Steelers,” she said. “I don’t have to be a big fan of him to be supportive.”