I don’t know how many of you are big NFL fans or where your allegiances may lie in the professional game.
If you’re like me and grew up a Steelers fan, Sunday’s night’s nationally televised loss to Buffalo provided almost nothing to get excited about, at least offensively.
Interceptions, fumbled snaps from the “Wildcat” and lack of sustained drives meant for just one touchdown against a solid Bills defense.
It also meant the most memorable play made by a Steelers offensive player was done-so by a running back who hadn’t carried the ball since 1980.
Last night the Steelers “Salute to Heroes” presentation was especially memorable.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Timothy P. Mecca of the United States Marine Core was told he would be receiving a ribbon for retiring after 33 years of service.
Mecca was instead surprised by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Parker who awarded Mecca the Purple Heart for his actions in Iraq while serving back in 2007.
Immediately following that United States war hero and former Notre Dame/Steelers running back Rocky Bleier surprised Mecca with a pair of tickets to this year’s Super Bowl in Miami, courtesy of the Steelers.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Timothy P. Mecca was awarded a Purple Heart at today's #SNF game and received 2 tickets to the Super Bowl from former @steelers RB Rocky Bleier. pic.twitter.com/RcinXAlD2b
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 16, 2019
I don’t care how many times I see surprise visits home by troops at basketball games, ovations in airports by strangers or being surprised with an honor, these videos never get old.