Steelers Digest, which has been bringing you all of the news and inside stories on the black and gold for over 30 years, brings you all of the latest from the team as they head into the postseason.
From in-depth coverage of every game, to a feature on Vance McDonald, the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, to so much more you can find everything you need to follow the Steelers.
In addition, Craig Wolfley gives you an inside look at what it's like for a player in the postseason, from the excitement around the city, to the excitement on game day, and much more.
Below is a tease of what Wolfley wrote, and to read the full story, click here to subscribe to Steelers Digest today.
Craig Wolfley on playing in the postseason:
I read and re-read the note from Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola. As I read it, my mind began to drift, my heart rate kicked up a beat or two.
"Digest assignment: Playoff football. How is it different? How do players treat it versus regular season football? Anecdotes. Let it fly."
Indeed …
Playoff memories from ages ago began to wash across my noggin as I sat there pondering the assignment. Playoff football. What is it that so completely dominates players, coaches, and fans, that so thoroughly drives emotions and passions to the heights of frenzied anticipation when playoffs begin?
There's only one answer that satisfies. It's the quest for the big one. The philosophical semi-apology, "We'll get 'em next time," in the wake of a loss, gives way to the one and done Apollo Creed-Rocky Balboa simplification of "There is no tomorrow! There is no tomorrow!"
I remember Steelers fans, and seemingly the entire city of Pittsburgh, cresting to a crescendo when the playoffs rolled around with the Chargers coming to town in 1982. Life suddenly kicked into another gear when the Steelers morphed the 'Burgh into the "City of Champions," with banners, songs, and throngs.
You immediately became aware, and knew all week long, that this was not business as usual. When Chuck Noll faced the team to address us at the beginning of the week, he uncharacteristically began by stating, "Its money time!" The vets acted differently, the coaches were a little more fervent, and there was an unspoken acknowledgement in many ways that "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto."
Because the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first two years of my career in 1980 and 1981, (especially after the historic run of the 1970s Steelers), the anticipation of "One for the thumb" had become the predominant conversation piece. It was everywhere, from the nightly news to the radio talk shows dominated by Myron Cope.
More so, the everyday preparation during the week of the regular season took on heightened energies, expectations, and intensity in postseason play. It was my first playoff game as a player, and a starter. I couldn't wait for kickoff. Wild horses couldn't drag me away from playing this game.
-->> SUBSCRIBE TO STEELERS DIGEST TODAY <<--
