The start of the 2026 NFL season is still months away, but in Pittsburgh, its always football season.
Football is part of what makes Western Pennsylvania special, and the story of the rich tradition is being told in 'The Football Town', a special NFL Films presentation produced in partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, VisitPITTSBURGH and U.S. Steel in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The film, which is narrated by Pittsburgh area native Pat McAfee, tells the story and shares the love of football in Western Pennsylvania. It will play exclusively in the two months leading up to the NFL Draft at the Kamin Science Center - starting next Saturday, February 28.0
While the Film has yet to debut, its already caught a lot of attention on social media.
"'Twas an absolute honor to be asked to be part of this monumental football doc about…THE FOOTBALL THAN. I haven't seen it but just like everything with NFL Films, I think yinz are gonna love it," posted McAfee on social media.
"I think it's going to be epic," McAfee added on his show.
"A must see!" shared Steelers Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher on his X account. "You will understand the makeup and culture of those of us who were lucky enough to grow up in the city of Pittsburgh...a football town unlike any other."
Cowher is one of the Steelers legends featured in the 50-minute film, which features the Steelers solid stamp on Western Pennsylvania. It also highlights players who were born and bred in the area, including "The Cradle of Quarterbacks", six Hall of Fame signal callers in George Blanda (Youngwood, Pa.), Johnny Unitas (Pittsburgh), Joe Namath (Beaver Falls, Pa.), Joe Montana (New Eagle, Pa.), Dan Marino (Pittsburgh) and Jim Kelly (Pittsburgh/East Brady, Pa.).
When asked on the McAfee Show about the lineage of quarterbacks from the area, even Montana couldn't fully explain it.
"I don't really have an answer for that other than I think that sports in that area, it's just a blue collar, hard-working (area) where sports really was a thing for people to get away from their everyday life to watch sports on TV, especially football," said Montana. "It was just a fun place to grow up because you knew, even in high school, high school football was big.
"How did he get so many quarterbacks out of there? I have no idea."
Montana isn't the only one left wondering what it is that makes Western Pennsylvania such a hotbed of talent, and not just for quarterbacks.
"What's in the water that produces such great players?" asked Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis in the film.
It's not just about the NFL, though. It's high school football, college football and the NFL that combine to make Western Pennsylvania the football hotbed it is.
"The 2026 NFL Draft gives our region an unprecedented opportunity to share Pittsburgh's football history and the legendary athletes who have shaped it," said Dan Rooney, co-chair of the 2026 NFL Draft Football Legacy Committee and vice president of business development and strategy for the Steelers. "We were honored to work with NFL Films to celebrate the contributions of Hall of Famers and local football icons from our region. With this film, we hope to inspire future generations, instill community pride and highlight Pittsburgh's unique place in the history of the game."
