York County, Pa.’s steel and green links to the Super Bowl
John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers by way of Dover, Pa., and Shippensburg U. has become a fan favorite in Wisconsin. He’s one of several York County links to today’s Super Bowl. Background posts: Was Red Lion’s Scott Fitzkee the most-talented three-sport athlete ever in York and Adams? and York County has produced star NFL players and Dover’s/Packers’ John Kuhn: ‘He is able to grasp things very quickly’.
Research from about a decade ago showed York County was split almost evenly among support of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens.
Here was the assessment of that research that the York, Pa., Daily Record/Sunday News commission from local research firm Polk-Lepson.
York County is within the sphere of Philadelphia and Baltimore, but Steeler success in the 1970s coupled with the fact that their games were often televised locally scored support for the western Pennsylvania team… .
As for Baltimore, well, some folks haven’t forgiven the Colts – and thus Baltimore – for moving to Indianapolis in the middle of the night (with the aid of a York County moving company.)
The Washington Redskins received a few votes, too, because of their proximity and the fact they trained in Carlisle.
So despite the tendency of some Ravens and Eagles fans to root for Green Bay because of antipathy toward the Steeler Nation, most of York County will back the Steelers today.
Bruce Arians adds to the Steeler support. The William Penn graduate is the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.
And Hanover’s John Orwig is the Steelers head athletic trainer.
Even John Kuhn supporters must give the Steelers a nod. The Dover grad received a Super Bowl ring as part of the Steeler practice squad two years ago. He’s seeking one for his other hand today as a starting back for the Packers.
Some folks in New Freedom no doubt will don Packer jerseys in honor of that southern York County town’s link with Ron Wolf, who built the Pack’s comeback teams of the 1990s and, thus, started the team on the tragectory to this year’s Super Bowl.
One note of disappointment today involving a former York countian who never played for either Super Bowl team but inspired respect – and fear – on the football field.
William Penn’s Chris Doleman was snubbed by the NFL Hall of Fame selection committee Saturday.
This, despite the fact that he received renewed national attention as Lawrence Taylor’s heir apparent in Michael Lewis’ “The Blind Side.”
He was “270 pounds of raw explosive muscle,” Lewis wrote in the book, later made into the movie with the same name.
For Chris, there’s always next year.
Also of interest:
– Since the 1960s, York County, Pa., has enjoyed strong link to NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
– York County has produced several star NFL players.
– Former NFLer and York countian Lincoln Kennedy has not forgotten his roots.
– Former Steeler living in York County nicknamed “The Thing.”
– A journey from Delone Catholic to the Super Bowl.
Archives:
– All York Town Square posts from the start. Then use “find” function on browser to search for keywords.
– Of course, you can always search for York Town Square posts on Google. For example, when you search for yorktownsquare and Chris Doleman, you get this.
