SSD Flashback: How the Steelers stole their terrible towels

“Charlie went out and bought up all the orange fabric he could find in the city of Denver, had it cut up into small handkerchief-sized pieces, and secured volunteers, many from the Quarterback Club, to hand these orange cloths out to every fan as they entered the stadium on that 62 degree fall day back in 1971.”

This paragraph is snipped from a blog post dated October 25, 2010, penned by Jim Saccomano, the Broncos V.P. of corporate comminications.  The post, titled “An Orange Sunday History Lesson” explains that the towel-waving tradition embraced by the fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers was conceptualized right here in Denver.

Yes, the Steelers ripped off the Terrible Towel.  It has evolved into their cherished symbol, held in higher regard than the American flag near the confluence of the three rivers.  But it was ours first.

Saccomano explains that Charlie Goldberg, then president of the Broncos’ Quarterback club, saw the need to Broncos’ fans to set themselves apart.  He developed the towel-waving concept and distributed the prototypes among the Mile High faithful on October 17, 1971.

“Before the decade was over Orange Sunday had spawned “Luv Ya Blue” in Houston, the “Terrible Towel” had been created in Pittsburgh and all of a sudden every other NFL city seemed to have its own color-themed day of support.”

So, on Sunday, when you see our home stadium infested with black and gold (as it always is when the Steelers come to town) just remember that those towels they are waving aren’t so terrible after all.  They’re a Denver invention.  If you squint a little they might even look orange and blue.