PITTSBURGH (AP) -Thousands of Steelers fans decked out in black and gold and waving Terrible Towels clogged South Side streets Sunday night, celebrating Pittsburgh’s unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title.
Revelers streamed out of area bars moments after the Steelers sealed their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Fla. Some broke out in song, bellowing Queen’s “We are the Champions.”
Yellow confetti swirled in the air and people released gold and black balloons. Almost immediately after the game, Super Bowl championship paraphernalia was being sold in the middle of the street.
e the Town Tavern, which sported a “Steeler Tavern” banner.
“I have never had so much pride in my city, ever,” said Barcoay, decked out in a Jerome Bettis jersey.
Bars were packed in the area popular with college students and the 20-something crowd, with music blaring.
One man carried a life-size cutout of President Barack Obama, with a Terrible Towel draped around the neck, while a band played in the middle of a blocked-off street and photos of players were projected onto the side of buildings.
Police in riot gear patrolled the area on bikes and in cars, letting the loud and rowdy – but orderly – celebration continue.
Dan Decriscio, 51, returned to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia and had the chance to celebrate yet another NFL title.
“This is awesome,” Decriscio said. “I’ve been here for every Super Bowl. Every one is great. From the first one with Chuck Knoll to Mike Tomlin; this is Christmas in February.
Big crowds also gathered in the city’s Oakland neighborhood, near the University of Pittsburgh.
Police had blocked off streets so that people could celebrate and not worry about cars. Some people tried to carry a couch onto Forbes Ave. in Oakland, but police took it away.
In one neighborhood south of Pittsburgh, people lit fireworks and ran outside and cheered after the game.
ier Sunday, fans filled the city streets and bars in anticipation of the NFL title game.
People sporting team paraphernalia strolled down Carson Street on the city’s South Side while others shouted “Here we go Steelers, Here we go!” as car horns tooted in sync. Others played Steelers fan songs from cars and buildings.
When the Steelers last won the Super Bowl in 2006, thousands of drunken fans celebrated in the streets and several small fires were set.
Pittsburgh police hoped to deter potential mayhem by putting more than 400 officers on patrol, limiting parking and closing some streets to traffic at the start of the fourth quarter in areas with numerous bars and restaurants.
In the Strip District, another popular area with bars and restaurants, several streets were barricaded before the game began.
Pittsburgh schools delayed openings two hours Monday to allow for the celebration, but other schools were following suit after the victory. TV news stations were scrolling school delays for Monday as if it were a snow day.
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