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Friday, October 05, 2001

By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The Steelers had always intended to have star players from the past on hand for opening day ceremonies at their new digs, Heinz Field.

But when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks forced a three-week postponement of the home opener, plans for the pre-game ceremonies took on a decidedly patriotic flavor.

All 65,000 fans entering the $281 million stadium Sunday will be given a small U.S. flag.

Color guards from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force will be present. Each branch of the military also will give the oath of active duty to recruits standing at attention on the grass at the new stadium.

Players from former eras will be there, too, including Bill Dudley from the 1940s, Ernie Stautner and Jack Butler from the '50s, John Henry Johnson from the '60s, and several Hall of Famers from the '70s, such as Franco Harris, Mel Blount and Lynn Swann. Also on hand will be Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll and more recent players, such as wide receiver Louis Lipps of the '80s and center Dermontti Dawson, who retired last year.

"We wanted representation from each era of Steelers football and of each stadium where the Steelers have played," Forbes Field, Pitt Stadium and Three Rivers Stadium, said Art Rooney II, team vice president and general counsel.

And a number of politicians also will make appearances, including Gov. Tom Ridge, whose last day in office is today. He is scheduled to address the crowd prior to a moment of silence to honor the victims and heroes of Sept. 11 and afterward.

Ridge is stepping down to run the new federal Office of Homeland Security, created by President Bush after the terrorist attacks.

His successor, Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker, is scheduled to accompany Ridge, although the two can't stay much beyond the 1:02 p.m. kickoff because they have to get to another mid-afternoon event in Central Pennsylvania.

"We're excited about finally opening our regular season at Heinz Field and about the people who will take part in the pre-game activities," Rooney said yesterday.

"We're honored that Gov. Ridge decided to take time out of his last weekend in Pennsylvania to be with us. That's indicative of how important an occasion it is."

Ridge spokesman Steve Aaron said his boss had worked hard in 1998 and 1999 to get $75 million in state funds approved for both of Pittsburgh's new stadiums. Ridge considers the revival of the North Shore and the retention of major league teams in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to be crucial, Aaron said.

"It's been a wise investment of state funds," he said. "He's proud to be a part of the changes in Pittsburgh. He's proud of how far Pittsburgh's come over the seven years" of the Ridge-Schweiker administration.

Other politicians expected to attend the pre-game celebration are Mayor Tom Murphy, U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey.

Besides being given flags, all of those attending Sunday will also get a commemorative Heinz Field coin containing the Steelers' 2001 schedule.

Fans are being urged to arrive early for Sunday's game because of tighter security measures that will slow the entry of people into the stadium. Coolers, bags, backpacks, fanny packs and large purses can't be taken into the stadium. Small bags and purses are subject to inspection, and those that do not pass security must be returned to vehicles.