Throughout the 20th century, western Pennsylvania turned out a seemingly endless supply of national football heroes. Mike Ditka. Dan Marino. Joe Namath. John Unitas. Joe Montana. Tony Dorsett. The list goes on. And like its fabled steel industry, this strong gridiron tradition (capped by the ultimate triumph of its beloved Steelers during the 1970s) gave the region an identity and put the City of Pittsburgh on the map. But in addition to national icons, the region’s lively pee-wee, high school and college football programs also produced a steady stream of strong and vibrant people. Together, these players, coaches and fans helped to build the greatest industrial center the world had ever known and then, over time, transformed it into a shimmering example of modernity and a force to be reckoned with in the 21st century. GRIDIRON & STEEL captures the cultural significance of a sport, the character of a locale, and the soul of a people. From the solemn faces of yesterday’s laborers to the smiles of their white-collar descendants, and from the pee-wee fields of suburbia to the Steelers’ new, state-of-the-art stadium, the true spirit of western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh is brought vividly to life in this film by the people who have been and are still guided by it. FEATURING: Mike Ditka, Dan Marino, Bill Fralic, Joe Walton, Dan Rooney, Andy Russell, Jack Ham, Mel Blount, Franco Harris, Myron Cope and a host of western Pennsylvania football players, coaches and fans of all levels.
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