Fans Flock To Stores For AFC Championship Gear
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading to their eighth Super Bowl, but it didn't come easy.
Leading 24-3 at halftime against the New York Jets, the game seemed like it was over. However, the Jets rallied to make it interesting. In the end, the Steelers held on for a 24-19 victory.
When the game came to a close, the staff at Greater Pittsburgh Specialty Advertising was already busy printing official Reebok Trophy Edition shirts.
"We started at the end of the fourth quarter. About a minute and a half before the end of the fourth quarter they called and said, 'Go ahead and start printing.' And we started printing," Brian Klaas said.
By 6 a.m., 10,000 shirts were printed, boxed and sent around the Pittsburgh area. Not only was the win good for the Steelers, but it was also good for business.
"With the economy so bad, the Steelers winning, bringing all this business into the Pittsburgh area helps out with a lot of jobs," one employee said.
"All of the employees have been really excited. I've been really excited. We're happy the Steelers won and it's a little bit of extra work during a slow time, so it's really been great for us," Klaas said.
Dick's Sporting Goods at the Northway Mall was one of the first to receive a shipment of shirts. They opened their doors at 6 a.m. and fans were waiting to get the shirts and other Steelers gear.
"I came up here to get one. [I]took the day off from work. Here we go!" Joe DeMare said.
Some of the smaller, locally owned stores in the Pittsburgh area are hoping to get their Steelers AFC Championship merchandise later today.
