Get to know lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan, Arlene Hartman, who has just been chosen as the 2020 FanSided Fan of the Year!
Arlene Hartman attended her first Steelers game at the age of seven. Now, 75 years later, she’s still rooting on her team with unmatched fanaticism. She’s been there for it all, the highs and the lows and now, she can celebrate one more memorable moment — recognition as FanSided’s 2020 Fan of the Year.
Hartman spoke with FanSided after being selected as a finalist and talked about what it means to be a Steelers fan.
“I think we root for the guys, win or lose and go to the mat for them literally or figuratively speaking, agonize through every play, and root for every player to do his best. We love the game, and so we love the team that represents the city we came from originally. And I think, from the 1970s, when the NFL really started to get to be a little more big-time, they were THE team. They just modeled what you would want a team to be.”
“I think Steeler fans are the best fans, and I don’t know if it’s sort of a blue-collar mentality of just being determined about it, but we travel well, and wherever you go, when we’re playing, you can see those towels in the stadium. I just feel good to be part of what I think is as important a group as you will find over the decades of pro football.”
The FanSided Fan of the Year contest is meant to recognize fans who exemplify dedication, integrity and “Fansmanship” all for the love of the game. Good Fansmanship means representing the teams you follow and the communities those teams represent in a positive way at all times thus perpetuating all that is good about sports and sports fandom.
Hartman was chosen from an incredible selection of finalists and will receive $100 worth of Minute Media gear, one bobblehead of her choice from the Bobblehead Hall of Fame, a one-year subscription to Fubo.TV, $2000 in Fan Cash provided by Fanatics and a piece of autographed memorabilia (based on fan’s team choice, up to $400). Stay tuned for details on next year’s contest and maybe you could be chosen as the 2020 FanSided Fan of the Year.