By my own admission I’m not a social media guy. Trust me. Perhaps that’s due to my very opinionated, oftentimes loud, vocal Italian demeanor. My son can attest to that statement with his reference, remember back in the day when I wanted to create a “MySpace” account for you? MySpace? It’s modern technology, and dad, get with the program, enjoy it. I remember it well as it never materialized along with Facebook and the host of other social media platforms that sprang up on what seemed to be a daily basis.
The late Myron Cope, creator of the famed Terrible Towel, brought Steeler fans together in the confines of stadiums from coast to coast and beyond. That idea of a bright yellow towel has been synonymous with fans of Pittsburgh Steelers football for 50 years. Modern technology — aka social media — is credited with uniting an entire nation of faithful black and gold fans. In social media terminology it wears the label Steelers Nation Unite.
Pittsburgh Steelers football has what many deem a cult-like following of fans worldwide. Social media is responsible for tossing gasoline on the proverbial constant fire that burns in the hearts, minds and souls of every true fan.
April of 2018 I succumbed to modern technology, as I decided to take the plunge, dive in head first and swim around the social media waters. As far as I was concerned, I would be floating around in uncharted territory fearing I would be too vocal, too opinionated.
It has been seven plus years since I opened a social media Twitter (now X) account under the guise of posting sports images with fellow professional photographers. What happened in the interim was something totally unexpected, pleasantly surprising me and continuing long after I envisioned its end.
That move — swallowing my pride and opening that social media account – led to more than I could have imagined. Through the years I have met so many absolutely amazing people in person who have befriended me. Those relationships continue to grow, more often than not on a daily basis with interaction. In retrospect, I’m glad I did take that plunge as the ensuing paragraphs of this column will divulge.
With the aforementioned,, allow me to introduce to our loyal readers the Bassilli family — Mom Sherry Gaylor, son/husband Dave and his wife Keri, whom he affectionately refers to as the GOAT! Relax and take a deep breath folks — that’s the acronym for “Greatest Of All Time.” Geez, a little credit please. These fine people hail from North and South Carolina, respectively.
When I tell you these people are a huge part of Steelers Nation, it’s a fact, as all possess lengthy resumes as fans as well as everyday life. They travel to Pennsylvania and beyond to wave their Terrible Towels and cheer on the Men of Steel. This family also has combined military service that spans decades. They not only love this great land they served, they’re the epitome of fans who, metaphorically speaking, bleed black and gold. All three fan hard by their own admission.
Without revealing my ulterior motive, (this column) totally unbeknownst to the trio, I had a very pleasant conversation with Sherry and her son Dave, who be it good or bad, spoke on behalf of his wife Keri. Just kidding you, brother.
Starting off, on the surface appearing as small talk, I inquired about the length of time the three have been Steeler fans. Dave quickly responded, “Since 1979. I was 5 years old, but I was sealed as a fan after the Joe Greene Coke commercial….I wanted to be that kid!” As for Keri, Dave relayed, “She’s been a faithful Steelers fan since 2005.” When I asked what made Mom Sherry a Steeler fan, Dave said, “Me, she can’t deny it.” However, when I posed that question to Sherry her response was a little different saying, “Ever since Terry Bradshaw arrived in Pittsburgh.”
Obviously this family makes constant travel arrangements to cheer on the Steelers due to the proximity of their home states. Fear not, they travel well, party better, tailgate like true “Yinzers” and fan hard, extremely vocal and loud.
Keri loves warm weather football and always attends the home opener and a game in October if it’s around Dave’s birthday. As for Keri’s dislike of Pittsburgh’s cold weather, Dave explained, “I think the 2008 AFC Championship game weather may have broken her even though we won. I was drinking beer and eating nachos in the front row of Section 122 and she was like, ‘You’re (expletive) crazy.’” Perhaps that may have been a contributing factor. Don’t worry; Keri’s dislike of Pittsburgh’s winter weather will be short-lived as she plans on attending the AFC Wild Card game should the Steelers make it.
It’s a very heartwarming sight to see Sherry and Dave attend games, strengthening the ever-growing bond between mother and son. Game attendance for Sherry is 6-8 per season and Dave is present 4-8 per season now that he is retired from the Army. Those numbers represent home and away games and in the event you were wondering – yes, the trio traveled to Dublin for the history-making matchup against the Vikings. Fear not, as mother and son will brave the elements attending the all or nothing Sunday Night contest against the Ravens.
Previously mentioned was the military service of all three. Dave and Keri are U.S. Army veterans serving in the intelligence community with numerous deployments overseas, as the couple initially met in Baghdad. Keri gave our country eight years of exemplary service and Dave, who volunteered to join the ranks, opted to make it a career, retiring after 32 years of dedicated service to this country and people of the USA.
Sherry is also due her just reward and all associated accolades as she also faithfully dedicated her entire life to the military and this country. She is also recently retired after a 42-year tenure with the Army Corps of Engineers, cumulating in a lifetime of service to our country. She spent a lot of time with the Army Corps at the Wilmington, N.C., office, where she was the chief contracting officer during the Surge in Iraq. Sherry finished her tenure as the chief of contracting for Marine Corps East based at Camp Lejeune.
Other than Sherry and Dave, I’m hard pressed to find another mother/son duo who followed each other into battle in defense of this great country. Following may not be exactly correct, so allow me to elaborate. The pair was deployed via separate entities to Iraq and Afghanistan in the same time frame and on Saturdays they were able to dine together and spend quality time in the Chow Hall for dinner. After her son left his overseas tour of duty, mom was there an additional six months supporting the troops.
Sherry announced, “At one point in time I was a fan of another team.” Blasphemy I exclaimed. During our talk I did guess the other team correctly — ugh, it was the Dallas Cryboys as they were known around the NFL. She went on to say that she had known former Cowboys quarterback Danny White since their college days. Thanks to Terry Bradshaw for converting her to the Steelers Nation.
Her love of the Steelers and Bradshaw were no threat to national security as the general in Iraq will attest to. Prior to her departure he presented Sherry with a matted and framed autographed photo of Bradshaw. In the event you were wondering, yes it was an image from a game against none other than the Cowboys.
Social media in today’s world may be a vast array of things, from liked to frowned upon, often resulting in sheer panic and derailing people’s lives as they are prone to believe everything that’s posted and subsequently read as the gospel truth. Some label it as comical and a way to simply laugh and unwind after a long day at work. Others are quite honestly there for the escape route in navigating the over crowed roadways of issues they are dealing with in everyday life. Perhaps their search is for a kind word that will raise their self-esteem. At times some are in search of prayers and compassion for personal tragedy. We all have different reasons for joining one of the numerous social media platforms.
Speaking candidly, I’m glad I took the leap into the social media waters. The reward has been plentiful as I previously stated. I have met so many wonderful people via the X platform and wholeheartedly appreciate all of you. I’m very humbled by the fact when I’m introduced by someone from X , I receive the same initial greeting, “Hey you’re the guy from the field.” Yes I’m the guy from the field, in reference to my photography duties roaming the sidelines with heavy expensive camera gear.
To the trio mentioned in this edition’s column, thank you all for your service, for our ever-growing comradery and for befriending an old, broken-down warhorse of a photographer like me. I’m honored to have met each of you several years ago in person, even prouder to call you friends who allowed me to enter your lives.
Here We Go — see yinz guys this weekend.
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