Despite Steelers Loss, Greenfield Happy For Coach McCarthy
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy got a Gatorade bath Sunday night as the Packers defeated the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
While the Steelers loss has made for a Monday of gloom and sadness across the region, there are more than a few Pittsburghers who were happy to see Coach McCarthy hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Green Bay's victory has been a bittersweet one on the streets of Pittsburgh's Greenfield section. All the luck was with the Packers head coach who grew up in the city neighborhood, playing ball at Magee Field.
McCarthy used to drive Christine Cestra's mom to high school.
"She was, you know, kind of torn, but it's a good feeling that he won," said Cestra. "It's still sad, you know, because the Steelers lost."
Born to the Steelers Nation, McCarthy would have been the hometown favorite had he been playing any team but the Steelers.
"We were just so thankful that he finally came through," McCarthy's Aunt Janie said when the family called from Dallas. "It wasn't given to him; he had to prove himself."
She barely survived the game.
"That third and fourth quarter scared the hell out of me," she said.
At St. Rosalia Academy, signs went up Monday morning saying: "Way to go Packers." And, "Luv Ya Steelers."
"It's a game, we're rooting equally for both teams… sort of a life lesson that we can learn from," said Sarah Tonski, the principal.
The sentiments were the same at Hough's Sports Bar on Greenfield Avenue.
"It's great to see Mike achieving his goals," said John Hough, who knows the McCarthy family.
More than 250 fans rocked his place for the emotional roller coaster ride, and even though the black and gold came up short, the neighborhood could still lay claim to a winner.
"I'm sure he'll bring that trophy home," said Hough. "It was a win-win situation."
