Sofia Massaro Young and Bill Young were married on Saturday at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District.
Their reception was held at the pristine Oakmont Country Club.
What better way to finish the celebratory weekend than at the biggest party in Pittsburgh — a home-opener tailgate outside Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore on Sunday afternoon.
“When we realized our wedding was the same weekend as the home opener we thought this would be a great way to end the weekend,” Young said.
The Steelers did their part to cap the weekend, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-10, to improve to their record to 3-0.
Massaro Young’s three sisters and maids of honor Olivia, Marta and Isabella came up with the idea to create custom Steelers jerseys for the couple with their last name Young on the back and their wedding date as player numbers 9 and 21 across the front.
Their wedding hashtag was #foreveryoung.
“This is pretty special,” said Massaro Young. “It was the perfect post-wedding celebration.”
The couple was surrounded by family and friends, some traveling from Australia.
Having someone from out of the country attend a Steelers tailgate is not unusual. Steelers Nation is strong around the world.
Mario A. Nava of Mexico who lives in Mansfield, Ohio and goes by the name “Steel Mascaras” met Jay Tindall and his son, Chris Tindall of Zelienople, at a previous Steelers photo event. Jay Tindall invited Nava to Tindall’s tailgate — which is not hard to miss.
It’s centered around a bright yellow 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that Jay Tindall purchased in 2017. Fans stopped by to take their photo with the vehicle which Jay Tindall calls Chevy Yinzer. He said he is happy for the great start for the Steelers but he is “happier that the rival Baltimore Ravens are 0-2.”
“I think for the home opener there are more fans and it’s louder,” said Jay Tindall, who painted black stripes and Steelers designs along with former players, an image of founder Arthur J. Rooney, Sr., and a tribute to late broadcaster Myron Cope. A sea of Cope’s Terrible Towels were visible throughout the parking lots.
The Terrible Towel has been the inspiration for nearly three decades for The Terrible Tailgate. Setting up the tailgate was Kevin Kcehowski of Hampton. He said the home opener “is steeped in tradition.”
Original founders of The Terrible Tailgate, Ron Ruggieri of Steubenville, Ohio and the late Ron Theiss Sr. started it with a group of friends.
“My dad especially loved the home opener because it kicked off the home season and there were some people you hadn’t seen since the last home game so there was an added excitement,” said Theiss’ son, Ron Theiss Jr. of Ross.
He took a vacation day on Friday to shop for the food they prepared on Saturday, including pierogies, kielbasa and hot sausage.
“All healthy foods,” Theiss Jr. said.
Fan favorites
In a parking lot across the way Sean Evans of Wisconsin was grilling pepper and onions and Frankie’s Sausage. The Sharpsburg sausage company created a black-and-gold special blend which has soy sauce, salt, sugar and garlic.
“This is the best sausage,” said Evans. “We’ve tried others but this is definitely the best.”
Mike Conte, a New Kensington native who lives in Fox Chapel, co-owns the business with Frankie Marckisotto of Wilkins. In addition to sweet, mild and hot they created 15 specialty selections.
“Every tailgate is fun but the first home game is like a holiday,” Conte said. “That means football is back in Pittsburgh.”
Food choices such as lasagna and meatballs were being served at the Greenfield tailgate known as the “Mobile Tailgating Unit,” a box truck outfitted with everything for the perfect pre-game party. Founded by John Dusch of Greenfield, who has been tailgating before Steelers games for close to 40 years. He and a friend, Geno Rizzuto of Greenfield, have been co-hosting for years. Their tailgate menu includes pies from Mineo’s Pizza.
“The home opener is great,” said Dusch, who plans to hand over the tradition to his nephew and Rizzuto’s daughter. “But, to me every tailgate is special because they are all about bringing everyone together for a fun time. That’s what Steelers football does.”
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Welcoming city
Pittsburgh fans are friendly, said Chargers’ followers Juan “Rico” Mederos and Dan Delgado of San Diego came from San Diego. They said Pittsburgh fans are fun to be around and that it is a cool and welcoming city.”
First in line for one of the parking space was Jared Mitchell of New Castle. He is hopeful with the 3-0 start and feels like there might be quarterback controversy once Russell Wilson is healthy. Justin Fields has led the team in the first three games.
“Justin is a mobile quarterback and has led us to two wins and he has the hot hand right now,” Mitchell said before the game started. “I am optimistic with us being 2-0. I like that both quarterbacks have NFL experience. Every year we can’t wait for the home opener. We have been planning this tailgate for two months.”
Seeing Mitchell and family and friends makes the home opener a kind of a reunion said Micheal Veres from Brunswick, Ohio.
Beth and Nathan Chill traveled from Charleston, W.Va. They are season ticket holders with seats in the endzone near the Steelers tunnel entrance.
“’The standard is the standard,’” Nathan Chill said, referring to one of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s quotes. “Most teams would be happy with 2-0. But there are deeper issues on this team. Our quarterback play is inconsistent.”
Tossing a football around was Trevor Kaufman of Somerset County who was wearing a Kenny Pickett jersey. Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I wish they would have given Kenny one more year,” Kaufman said. “I like Russell and Justin but I also liked watching Kenny at Pitt and wanted to see what he could do for the Steelers once he was healthy.”
Starting undefeated is good, said Sam Marraccini of Nottingham Township, Washington County.
“2 and 0, yeah,” said Marraccini, whose tailgate has disco ball and huge Steelers inflatable helmet on the top of his truck. “It’s a great start to a new season but really what matters is playoff wins. Legacies are built on playoff wins. Win and I am happy.”